Which MLB player holds the record for most Gold Glove awards?

The MLB player who holds the record for the most Gold Glove Awards is Greg Maddux.

Maddux won 18 Gold Gloves, all as a National League pitcher. His awards recognized exceptional defensive play at a position where fielding is often overshadowed by pitching statistics. He won 13 consecutive awards from 1990 through 2002, then added five more from 2004 through 2008.

The Gold Glove Award was introduced by Rawlings in 1957. Beginning in 1958, separate awards were presented in the American and National Leagues, allowing one player at each position in each league to win annually. Pitchers are judged on skills such as fielding bunts, covering first base, making accurate throws, and controlling the running game.

Jim Kaat is the common historical mix-up. He won 16 Gold Gloves and held the overall record until Maddux passed him in 2007. Brooks Robinson is also closely associated with defensive excellence because of his 16 awards at third base, but Maddux’s total of 18 remains the record among all MLB players.