1955 Virtual Gold Gloves

 By JT 

Jimmy Piersall 

Using Sean Smith's Defensive WAR and Rtot, Michael Humphrey's DRA, Bill James's FiWS, Pete Palmer's FR, Clay Davenport's FRAA, Tom Thress' net fielding wins and other indicators, I've awarded "Virtual" Gold Gloves to the most deserving players.

1955 Virtual Gold Gloves

1955 NL
C- Del Crandall was best, Roy Campenella next
1B- Gil Hodges; #2 Musial
2B- O’Connell; #2 Schoendienst;  #3 Gilliam, Temple
3B- Hoak; #2 Robinson; #3 Boyer #4 Hank Thompson
SS- Roy McMillan; #2 Banks, #3 Logan
OF- Willie Mays; Ashburn; Bruton; (Snider, Furillo, Clemente, Aaron, and Mikas next)

1955 AL
C- Loller led most and next was Hegan; #3 Berra
1B- Vic Power #2 Norm Zauchin. Close, but DRA tilts it to Power. 
2B- McDougald; #2 Fox; #3 Avilla (in actual voting Fox may have gotten it, but McDougald was ahead in most metrics)
SS- George Strickland; #2 Miranda, Chico Carrasquel
3B- Andy Carey (dominated); Lopez, Rosen
OF- Jimmy Piersall; Mickey Mantle; Minnie Minoso (Al Kaline,  Hank Bauer, Busby, Diering, Tuttle, Noren-too few innings) and Rivera-too few innings all showed nicely). 

Platinum Gloves AL - Piersall     NL -  Mays

The NL outfield was close. But again Mays emerged first. He was first in Palmer's Fielding Runs, first in Humphreys' multi-year DRA, second among outfielders in Clay Davenports FRAA, third in dWar, first in Total Run Zones, Second in Centerfield Range Factor, and fourth in Bill James' Fielding Win Shares. 

Ashburn's rankings in all those were second and Bruton was fourth. 

In the AL it was difficult. Piersall was clear #1 and Mantle and Minoso close. The rest--judgment call, likely Mantle’s best fielding season as many metrics show him as a bit below average most years, in 1955 he stands out). Mantle was 2nd in James' Defensive Win Shares and in Total Run Zones and dWar among center fielders.

Agree or disagree? Let me know. In fact, I'd love someone better to do this.