In the long and rich history of the major leagues, impressive feats have been seen, both offensive and defensive, and little viewed, such as the one that achieved Darin Erstadthat until today no one has been able to match.
Darin Erstadwho won the gold glove as a gardener in the 2000 and 2002 seasons with the Angels of Anaheim, also won the Golden Glove as the first base in 2004, thus being the only player in the history of the big leagues to win that prize both in the infield and in the gardens.
This change of position, far from being a simple adaptation, was a total transformation. To cover large extensions of land in the gardens to take care of the agility and precision required by the first base, and do it with elite level, is something practically unpublished in the major leagues.
The former player accumulates a long reputation for the combination of versatility, excellence and defensive domain, both in the painting and in the gardens, who spent most of his career with the then Angels of Anaheim; He also played for the Astros of Houston and White Sox in Chicago.
Throughout his career, he achieved 3 gold gloves, 2 invitations to star games, 1 silver bat stolen, 475 tickets and 939 strikeouts in 1,654 games.
It should be noted that only another player has been recognized with gold gloves in different positions, although both inside the infield: Plácido Polanco, who won it in the second base and on the third base. However, none has matched the feat of Darin Erstad When he triumphs defensively in the inner painting and in the gardens.
Why is this record so difficult?
It is not usual that someone who was good at his position at the level of winning a gold glove, ends up being moved to another position away from his obligations, such as passing from the infield to the gardens or vice versa.
Some cases are the exception, such as Javier Báez de los Tigres de Detroit, who won the Golden Glove as Campocorto in the National League in the 2020 season and five years later, has been transferred to the central garden. Now, the Puerto Rican has a wide opportunity to emulate Darin Erstad.
Other notes that could interest you:
Another case could be Nolan Arenado, 10 times winner of the Gold Glove as third base, but willing to move to the first base in case of being changed to a new team, where he would have the opportunity again to win a gold glove from there, thus being another candidate to join the group in which he is only Darin Erstad.
