February 11, 2025
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MLB: Jason Heyward wins Gold Glove for the fifth year in a row

Some golden defense for Cubs

By Mark Gonzales

Jason Heyward (left) is the first Cub to win Gold Gloves in back-to-back seasons since Greg Maddux. (Chris Lee)

Jason Heyward was recognized Tuesday night for his elite defense as the Cubs' right fielder was named a National League Gold Glove Award recipient for the fifth time.

This marks the fourth consecutive year Heyward, 28, has won the award. He won his first Gold Glove with the Braves in 2012 and earned the award with the Cardinals in 2015 before signing with the Cubs before the 2016 season.

Heyward was selected over Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers and Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins. Heyward posted a .991 fielding percentage and was credited with six assists.

Heyward is the second outfielder in franchise history to win multiple gold gloves, joining two-time winner Andre Dawson (1987-88). Bob Dernier is the only other Cubs outfielder to win the award, doing so in 1984.

Heyward is the first Cubs player to win a Gold Glove at any position in consecutive seasons since pitcher Greg Maddux won three from 2004-06 (Maddux finished the 2006 campaign with the Dodgers) and the first position player to accomplish this feat since first baseman Mark Grace in 1995-96.

Earlier Tuesday, Heyward was part of speculation linking him to the Giants. Heyward, 28, has batted only .243 with 65 extra base hits during the first two seasons of an eight-year, $184 million contract that includes a full no-trade clause through 2018. The Giants had multiple scouts watch the Cubs at Wrigley Field during the final 6 weeks of the regular season.

Multiple reports mentioned Heyward linked with pitcher Jeff Samardzija and closer Mark Melancon, whom have a combined $106 million left on their contracts.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Ben Zobrist weren't so fortunate in the Gold Glove competition. Rizzo lost to Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks, and Zobrist lost to DJ LeMahieu of the Rockies in other categories involving Cubs finalists.

Managers and up to six coaches from each team participated in the voting, with the stipulation that they couldn’t vote for players from their own team. A sabermetric component was added to the process in 2013 and comprised 25 percent of the overall vote