Báez, Rizzo win NL Gold Glove Awards

CHICAGO -- Know that Javier Báez was as surprised as anyone when he was not one of the Gold Glove finalists a year ago. In his first full season at shortstop, he proved once and for all that he was one of the game's premier defenders at the position.

Back in February, when the initial Spring Training was underway and no one knew the kind of season that was looming, Báez was asked about trying to win a Gold Glove Award in 2020. It was clear that the previous season's snub served as a motivator for the Chicago star.

"I'm just going to try my best," Báez said at the time. "If I'm one of the top three, fine. What can I do?"

• All-time Gold Glove Award winners

What did Báez do? He went out and won the 2020 National League Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Cubs shortstop to take home the honor since Don Kessinger in 1970. And Báez was joined among the NL winners by teammate Anthony Rizzo, who claimed his fourth Gold Glove Award for first base.

"Obviously, it's great," Báez said on the Gold Glove Awards show on ESPN on Tuesday night. "It's great for the success that we work for."

Báez joins Kessinger (1969-70) and Ernie Banks (1960) as the only Gold Glove winners for shortstop in franchise history. Rizzo picked up his second in a row and is now tied with Mark Grace for the most Gold Gloves by a Cubs first baseman. Rizzo also joins Ryne Sandberg (nine), Greg Maddux (six), Ron Santo (five) and Grace as the only players in team history to win at least four.

• 2020 Awards coverage

This is the first time the Cubs had multiple winners in one season since 2016, when Rizzo and Jason Heyward (right field) won trophies.

Rizzo picked up the Gold Glove over fellow candidates Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals) and Brandon Belt (Giants). In 474 1/3 innings at first, Rizzo had three Defensive Runs Saved and a 10.1 UZR/150. His 44 assists led NL first basemen and he started five double plays.

On the awards show, Rizzo was asked what type of play he takes the most pride in.

"For me, it's when my infielders make a really nice play," Rizzo said, "and it's a do-or-die play over there and they just throw it with no fear, and I pick them up on the back end. For me, that's what I want always. I want all the infielders to be comfortable."

That includes Báez, who is well-known for his acrobatic defense up the middle.

Báez earned the Gold Glove at shortstop over Miguel Rojas of the Marlins and Dansby Swanson of the Braves. After leading all MLB infielders with 19 Outs Above Average and finishing tied for first among MLB shortstops with 26 DRS in 2019, Báez had four OAA and seven DRS in 469 1/3 innings in the '20 abbreviated season.

Fans affectionately refer to Rizzo as the captain, while Báez is well-known as El Mago. Together, they helped anchor a Cubs defense that improved dramatically on its overall showing in '19. In fact, they were two among seven Gold Glove finalists, alongside pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Alec Mills, catcher Willson Contreras, second baseman Nico Hoerner and Heyward.

• Cubs win 2020 team Gold Glove Award in NL

Overall, the Cubs ranked third in the Majors with 15.8 Defensive Runs Above Average and tied for sixth in baseball with 23 DRS as a team. That came after Chicago had 8.9 Defensive Runs Above Average and -14 DRS as a club in '19.

"We've had some really good flashes of defense this year," Cubs manager David Ross said in September. "We've made a lot of difficult plays. I feel like the guys are playing with energy."

After being left out of the Gold Glove conversation a year ago, Báez was also playing with motivation. And while he struggled to get things going in the batter's box in '20, the shortstop did not let that impact his play in the field.

Now, El Mago has his Gold Glove.

"Javy has put in a lot of work," Ross said late in the season. "I really feel like, on a daily basis, he's coming with a mission defensively for us."

Báez already has the MLB logo tattooed on the back of his neck, plus a World Series trophy among his growing ink. On the awards show Tuesday night, the shortstop was asked if he will consider adding a tattoo of a Gold Glove now.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I will, somehow and somewhere," Báez said with a smile. "I don't have much space now. I'll try to get more and then I'll get more."