HomeHOWHow Did Nate Mclouth Win A Gold Glove

How Did Nate Mclouth Win A Gold Glove

Nate McLouth broke a Pittsburgh Pirates’ drought nearly as long as their string of losing seasons Wednesday when the center fielder was named to the 2008 National League Gold Glove team.

McLouth is the first Pirates player to win a Gold Glove, awarded at each position for fielding excellence, since shortstop Jay Bell in 1993 The Pirates last had a winning season in 1992 when Andy Van Slyke became the last Pittsburgh outfielder to be awarded a Gold Glove.

The awards are voted on by the managers and coaches in each league.

“What’s really nice is when you look at the history of the Gold Glove and some of the Pirates who have won it like Roberto Clemente, Andy Van Slyke and Bill Mazeroski,” McLouth said. “Those are some of the greatest names in Pirates’ history. To even be on the same list with them is really special. I’m very honored by it and very excited.”

McLouth, 27, made only one error in 155 games in the outfield last season, including 149 starts in center field. That came during the final week of the season on Sept. 23 at Milwaukee.

McLouth led NL center fielders with a .997 fielding percentage as he made just the one error in 386 chances. The only NL outfielder with a better percentage was Milwaukee left fielder Ryan Braun, who finished with a perfect 1.000 after making no errors in 149 games.

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McLouth also made a big defensive play while appearing in his first All-Star Game last season as he threw out Tampa Bay catcher Dioner Navarro, who was the potential winning run, at home plate in the bottom of the 11th inning in the game at Yankee Stadium in New York.

“I think playing in the All-Star Game and making that throw certainly helped me win the Gold Glove,” McLouth said. “My goal is to go out and be as consistent as I can be every day and I was able to do that defensively. I may not make as many spectacular plays as some other center fielder but I’d like to think I’m pretty solid day in and day out.”

McLouth was one of five first-time winners on the NL team along with St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips and Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino. San Diego pitcher Greg Maddux won his record 18th Gold Glove while Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins won for the second time as did third baseman David Wright and outfielder Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets.

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