This has always been one of my favorite articles to write each season, but since the inclusion of the SABR Defensive Index (SDI) in the Gold Glove voting process, it has become much more difficult. Voters aren't making the huge mistakes -- such as Rafael Palmeiro winning the first base Gold Glove in 1999 despite playing just 28 games at first base, or Derek Jeter winning five times despite his poor defensive range -- that they used to. Now I tend to find that when I disagree with a selection, I also understand the justification for the other guy winning.
This season, voters may have done their best job yet. Across the board, the Gold Glove winners are in sync with the positional leaders in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), the Baseball Info Solutions (BIS) comprehensive measure of player defense. In several cases, selections went against the established pick, which was particularly gratifying.