Shortstops with the Most Gold Gloves in MLB History

When the subject of defense is brought up in baseball one of the first things that comes to mind is all the outstanding plays that shortstops make. Shortstops stop balls up the middle, they throw runners out from in the hole, they jump high in the air for line drives and they turn double plays. These are some of the shortstops that have made those plays time and time again and have won themselves four Gold Glove Awards or more.

Alan Trammell - Alan Trammell was one of the Detroit Tiger responsible for their success in the 80's. Trammell was an All-Star and MVP candidate for several years but it was actually before Trammell emerged as a star that he showed his great defensive skills. Trammell won all four of his Gold Glove Awards before ever finishing in the top 10 in the MVP voting.

Tony Fernandez - Tony Fernandez was a pretty nice piece of a Blue Jays franchise that had their most success in the 80's and early 90's. Fernandez could bat .280 or .290 and provided very good defense at shortstop. Tony Fernandez won 4 Gold Glove Awards from 1986 to 1989 and his hard work paid off with three All-Star appearances in those four seasons.

Dave Concepcion - Many members of the Big Red Machine will tell you that Dave Concepcion was an underrated part of the team. Concepcion was never a big offensive weapon but played great defense. Concepcion won five Gold Glove Awards, Concepcion won in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1979.

Mark Belanger - Mark Belanger of the Baltimore Orioles was your typical defense minded shortstop that were common before the days of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. In his 18 year career Mark Belanger had a .228 lifetime average but won 8 Gold Glove Awards.

Luis Aparicio - Luis Aparacio was another shortstop that wasn't a huge hitter but he at least had a bigger weapon than Belanger in his speed. Aparacio had the ability to steal 50 bases and his quickness in the field made him an incredible fielder. Aparacio won nine Gold Glove Awards in all.

Omar Vizquel - Omar Vizquel is 40 years old and still going strong. Despite his age Omar Vizquel is still spry enough to play great defense and won the Gold Glove as recent as 2005 and 2006 with the San Francisco Giants. Omar Vizquel won his first Gold Glove in 1993 with the Seattle Mariners. In 1994 Omar Vizquel joined the Cleveland Indians and won the Gold Glove for the next eight years.

Ozzie Smith - Ozzie Smith, or the Wizard of Oz, is widely known as the best defensive shortstop of all-time. Ozzie Smith was definitely a good hitter but not an outstanding hitter. Ozzie Smith was one of the most popular players in Major League Baseball anyway because of how great he was defensively. It is not too common that players are loved for defense and not offense so you know Ozzie Smith was something special.