Reds catcher Barnhart on Gold Glove win: ‘It’s as good as it gets’

Votto, Duvall, Hamilton do not win

Tucker Barnhart became the first Cincinnati Reds catcher since Johnny Bench to win a Gold Glove Award, beating out two of the game’s biggest stars, the San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey and the St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina, on Tuesday night.

“It’s as good as it gets for me,” said Barnhart on ESPN after the award was announced. “I’m a defensive-first player, and I take a lot of pride in that.”

Johnny Bench won his last Gold Glove in 1977. Bench won 10 Gold Gloves in his Hall of Fame career.

Barnhart, 26, debuted with the Reds in 2014. He played in a career-best 121 games in 2017 and hit a career-high .270. He threw out 32 of 73 baserunners (44 percent).

Joey Votto was a finalist at first base but lost to Paul Goldschmidt, of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The two are also finalists for the MVP, which will be announced Nov. 16.

Center fielder Billy Hamilton lost to Ender Inciarte, of the Atlanta Braves.

Left fielder Adam Duvall lost to Marcell Ozuna, of the Miami Marlins.

The last Red to win a Gold Glove was second baseman Brandon Phillips in 2013. Votto and Phillips both won in 2010. Phillips won four Gold Gloves in his time with the Reds.

About the Author