Note: The term "at each of nine positions" is not strictly accurate. Three outfielders are selected, but the award does not distinguish between left, center, and right fielders. Some critics have long called for awarding a single Gold Glove for each individual outfield position, arguing that the three outfield positions are not readily interchangeable defensively.
In 1957, the baseball glove manufacturer Rawlings invented the idea of the Gold Glove to commemorate the best fielding performance at each position in baseball. At the time, there was an award called the "Silver Bat," which was awarded by Hillerich & Bradsby, the Major League Baseball bat provider of the time, to the league's leading hitters, but there was no award for fielding. A glove made from gold lame-tanned leather was affixed to a walnut base and the Gold Glove was born.
The most Gold Gloves ever won by a player is 16, a feat achieved by both third baseman Brooks Robinson and pitcher Jim Kaat.
American League winners
National League winners