Wright and Beltran Win Gold Gloves, Still Can't Catch Phillies

Mets Beltran and Wright snare defensive awards for second consecutive season.

For the second consecutive season New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright have won the Rawlings Gold Glove awards for their respective positions.

And for the second consecutive year that hardware will offer little solace to a team with championship aspirations that didn't make the playoffs.

But they are awards, and they must be received with open arms. And if you're going to be wiping tears away all offseason, you might as well have something shiny and heavy and golden to do it with. 

Beltran, who is receiving his third Gold Glove award (all as a Met), has matured into the, ahem, gold standard at the position. He has no glaring flaws, and his offensive numbers -- while always seeming to disappoint Mets fans who still hold a grudge for his lackluster first season with the team -- consistently rank among the best in baseball. Throw in his status among the premiere glove men in the game -- which unlike Wright, no one really contends -- and you're looking at Major League Baseball's best center fielder.  Ever since the Great Fattening of Andruw Jones, no one has been a more imposing two-way presence for their team (only Cleveland could possibly argue). 

David Wright, who was called out by Chipper Jones after receiving the award last year, upped his credentials in earning the award for the second time in a row. In 2008 he upped his range, tieing for the league lead in chances, and lowered his errors ranking fourth in fielding percentage.

Still, while the hardware is nice, Wright echoed the sentiments of players and fans alike in accepting the award, “Individual awards are nice, but, for me, my entire focus is on the team and getting back to the playoffs.”

Just ask the Phillies. They also had two players receive Golden Gloves, which is sweet, but their World Series victory is surely sweeter. 

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