AP

NEW YORK (AP) — Catch this: Buster Posey is the new Gold Glove backstop in the National League.

The San Francisco Giants star unseated Yadier Molina behind the plate Tuesday when Rawlings announced its annual honors for fielding excellence. Posey was picked as the NL catcher, ending Molina's eight-year reign with St. Louis.

"I don't know if it makes it any more special or not that he had won it eight years in a row because I think I'd be happy with it either way," Posey said on a conference call. "This one's up there for me. I'm a firm believer you win ballgames with pitching and defense."

Posey was joined on the Gold Glove roster by a pair of Giants teammates, the double-play combination of shortstop Brandon Crawford and second baseman Joe Panik.

Theo Epstein named Sporting News Major League Baseball Executive of the Year

Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado won for the fourth consecutive year, and Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke took his third straight prize.

Other winners in the NL were Atlanta center fielder Ender Inciarte, Pittsburgh left fielder Starling Marte, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo and right fielder Jason Heyward from the World Series champion Chicago Cubs.

Young shortstop Francisco Lindor from AL champion Cleveland was a first-time winner, along with Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland, Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler, New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner and Boston right fielder Mookie Betts.

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez won his fourth Gold Glove in a row, Houston pitcher Dallas Keuchel took his third straight and Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier repeated from last year.

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was rewarded for the fifth time overall.

"I'm pretty surprised an old man like me can win the Gold Glove," said the 37-year-old Beltre, who was thrilled Moreland won as well.

"I think I'm happier for him than for me because for the last couple of years, he has played such a great defensive first base and was never recognized," Beltre said. "Most of my mistakes are throwing the ball and Mitch has saved me so many errors and makes things look easier for me."

The 22-year-old Lindor became the first Indians player to win a Gold Glove since outfielder Grady Sizemore in 2008, and their second shortstop after Omar Vizquel won every year from 1994-2001.

Votes are submitted in September by managers and coaches who cannot choose their own players. Three years ago, Rawlings added a sabermetric component to the Gold Glove selection process as well.

The 54 finalists (with winners in bold):

AMERICAN LEAGUE

PITCHER

R.A. Dickey, Blue Jays

Dallas Keuchel, Astros — 3rd career Gold Glove Award

Justin Verlander, Tigers

CATCHER

James McCann, Tigers

Carlos Perez, Angels

Salvador Perez, Royals — 4th career

FIRST BASE

Chris Davis, Orioles

Eric Hosmer, Royals

Mitch Moreland, Rangers — 1st career

SECOND BASE

Robinson Cano, Mariners

Ian Kinsler, Tigers — 1st career

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox



THIRD BASE

Adrian Beltre, Rangers — 5th career

Manny Machado, Orioles

Kyle Seager, Mariners

SHORTSTOP

Jose Iglesias, Tigers

Francisco Lindor, Indians — 1st career

Andrelton Simmons, Angels

LEFT FIELD

Brett Gardner, Yankees — 1st career

Alex Gordon, Royals

Colby Rasmus, Astros

CENTER FIELD

Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox

Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays

Kevin Kiermaier, Rays — 2nd career

RIGHT FIELD

Mookie Betts, Red Sox — 1st career

Adam Eaton, White Sox

George Springer, Astros

***

NATIONAL LEAGUE

PITCHER

Jake Arrieta, Cubs

Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks — 3rd career

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals



CATCHER

Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers (traded to Rangers on Aug. 1)

Yadier Molina, Cardinals — snapped eight-year run as the top NL catcher

Buster Posey, Giants — 1st career

FIRST BASE

Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

Wil Myers, Padres

Anthony Rizzo, Cubs — 1st career

SECOND BASE

DJ LeMahieu, Rockies

Joe Panik, Giants — 1st career

Jean Segura, Diamondbacks

THIRD BASE

Nolan Arenado, Rockies — 4th career

Anthony Rendon, Nationals

Justin Turner, Dodgers

SHORTSTOP

Brandon Crawford, Giants — 2nd career

Freddy Galvis, Phillies

Addison Russell, Cubs

LEFT FIELD

Adam Duvall, Reds

Starling Marte, Pirates — 2nd career

Christian Yelich, Marlins

CENTER FIELD

Billy Hamilton, Reds

Odubel Herrera, Phillies

Ender Inciarte, Braves — 1st career

RIGHT FIELD

Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies

Jason Heyward, Cubs — 4th career

Nick Markakis, Braves

GOLD GLOVE WINNERS