Giants Ace–Catcher Duo Joins Rare Company in 21st-Century Honors
The San Francisco Giants are one of three teams with multiple Gold Glove winners this season. All three clubs are historic franchises that seek continuous excellence. In the American League, Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela and right fielder Wilyer Abreu earned Gold Gloves. They covered the expanse of Fenway Park. In the National League, the Chicago Cubs had a mix: Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong locked down left field and center field. Meanwhile, Nico Hoerner flashed the leather at second base. For the Giants, catcher Patrick Bailey and starting pitcher Logan Webb brought home the hardware.
Bailey’s honor comes as no surprise. There are concerns about his offensive production, but he has gained the respect he deserves behind the plate. As a rookie in 2023, he was already a Gold Glove finalist. Now a back-to-back winner, the 26-year-old will look to continue his defensive wizardry at the catcher position in 2026. However, it will come with a new obstacle. The Automated Ball Strike (ABS) Challenge System may lessen a fraction of Bailey’s chances to frame pitches. Framing is a major measurement of a catcher’s defensive value.
Webb is known as a lights-out pitcher with immense durability. Webb’s durability typically refers to his reputation as an innings eater and his ability to keep the Giants competitive, even when he doesn't have full command of his pitches. This year, the Giants' 28-year-old ace further expanded and displayed his durability by playing immaculate defense. As the face of the Giants and a leader of the clubhouse, he continues to add to his on-field value in hopes of making deep playoff runs and bringing a championship back to San Francisco.
Since the turn of the century, there have been two sets of pitchers and catchers from the same team who have won Gold Gloves. In fact, both sets of previous winners have won twice. During his consecutive 10-year run of Gold Gloves, Ivan Rodriguez picked one up alongside his batterymate Kenny Rogers as members of the Texas Rangers in 2000. Six years later, in 2006, they won again, but this time with the Detroit Tigers. The now-legendary duo of the St. Louis Cardinals, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina, won Gold Gloves together in 2009 and 2013.
The remaining question is whether the current pair, Bailey and Webb, can achieve what their predecessors have done. Bailey and Webb certainly have the drive to win again as they take pride in continuing the Giants’ quest for a championship. History likes to make itself known by repeating itself. Will they supersede their predecessors and emerge victorious again next year? Or will they simply repeat history and recapture Gold Gloves together several years down the line? Time, as well as their performances, will be the judge.
