Press Release Major League Baseball
Wilson and Major League Baseball Announce 2014 Defensive Player of the Year Awards
Jason Heyward receives overall individual award while the Cincinnati Reds are honored as the best defensive team in MLB
NEW YORK. — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward has been named the recipient of the overall 2014 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. In addition, the Cincinnati Reds received the award for Defensive Team of the Year. The winners were announced tonight as part of a one-hour special on MLB Network.
The American League Champion Kansas City Royals have two players on the exclusive list, including Wilson Advisory Staff member and 2014 ALCS MVP Lorenzo Cain, who was honored for his defensive prowess in center field. Teammate and outfield partner Alex Gordon also received an award for his play in left field.
Two Los Angeles Dodgers infielders made the list, including Adrian Gonzalez (first base) and Juan Uribe (third base). The Atlanta Braves also had multiple recipients in Heyward (right field) and Andrelton Simmons (shortstop).
Rounding out the honorees were pitcher Johnny Cueto (Cincinnati Reds), catcher Russell Martin (Pittsburgh Pirates) and second baseman Ian Kinsler (Detroit Tigers). Of the nine players honored, six were from the National League and the remaining three from the American League.
Four of this year’s nine honorees are being recognized for the second year in a row: Martin, Cain, Uribe and Simmons.
Founded in 2012, the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award winners are determined using a formula that combines traditional defensive stats with advanced metrics, as well as the data logged by the baseball experts working for the scouting service Inside Edge. Dustin Pedroia and Gerardo Parra won the 2013 edition for their respective leagues, while Mike Trout and Michael Born won the inaugural awards in 2012.
2014 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners
(P) Johnny Cueto – Cincinnati Reds
(C) Russell Martin – Pittsburgh Pirates
(1B) Adrian Gonzalez – Los Angeles Dodgers
(2B) Ian Kinsler – Detroit Tigers
(3B) Juan Uribe – Los Angeles Dodgers
(SS) Andrelton Simmons – Atlanta Braves
(LF) Alex Gordon – Kansas City Royals
(CF) Lorenzo Cain – Kansas City Royals
(RF) Jason Heyward – Atlanta Braves *
Defensive Team of the Year – Cincinnati Reds
*Jason Heyward named overall 2014 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year.
Wilson Sporting Goods has been the Official Ball Glove of Major League Baseball for over 20 years. Beginning with the introduction of its first glove in 1919, Wilson has proudly outfitted thousands of Major League Baseball’s brightest stars, from Ted Williams and Ernie Banks to David Wright and Dustin Pedroia.
For more information about the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award and for a complete list of past winners, please visit MLB.com.
To learn more please visit www.wilson.com or follow Wilson on Twitter (@WilsonBallGlove), Facebook and Instagram (@WilsonBallGlove).
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Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a division of Amer Sports, is the world’s leading manufacturer of sports equipment, apparel and accessories. Through its dedication to creating products that enable athletes at every level to perform at their best, Wilson has earned its place as a leader in sporting goods for over a century.
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