Bradenton

CLEVELAND – Cleveland Guardians center fielder Myles Straw is an elite defender. Prior to Game 3 of the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, Major League Baseball announced the Rawlings Gold Glove winners for this past season.

A record 14 first-time recipients were honored as the best defensive players at each position. The Cleveland Guardians, the team with the most selections in either the American or National Leagues, claimed four winners. Steven Kwan (left field), Andres Gimenez (second base), Shane Bieber (pitcher), and Bradenton’s Straw (center field) took top honors in the American League.

"It’s really special to be selected and to have three teammates win it (Gold Gloves) with me,“ Straw said earlier this week during a phone conversation. "All the guys are deserving of their selection. I thought that I had a good chance of accomplishing it this year. Our team showed just how good defense can be.“

Straw, who was drafted by the Astros in 2015, was traded in late July 2021 to Cleveland. At the beginning of the 2022 season, Straw signed a five-year contract extension for a reported $25,000,000 guaranteed.

Playing at Braden River High, Straw participated in 77 games for the Pirates, from his sophomore to senior years. Growing up in Manatee County, Straw has many happy memories of attending Tampa Bay Rays games as a child.

"I promise you that I have been to 100 games at Tropicana Field,“ Straw tells. "I can remember being in right field and throwing a ball as hard as I could, to win two free tickets. That was special. I was a huge Rays fan growing up.“

Straw, 28, contributed to the Guardians 2022 postseason run, during the Wild Card round against Tampa Bay, and in the AL Division Series with the New York Yankees. He believes momentum from this past season will carry over into 2023 and have the Guardians as the top club in the AL Central Division.

"We’re learning together. This was only year one for us. We have a special group,“ Straw states.

Tito Francona, Cleveland’s manager, gets high praise from Straw for his leadership abilities. He clearly enjoys coming to the ballpark each day to have Francona fill out the lineup card.

"Tito is going to be in the Hall of Fame someday. When I came over from Houston, I knew he was a big-name guy. I was fired up to play for him,“ Straw recalls of his 2021 trade. "He is a players’ manager. You want to go out and play your best for him, and he can operate the bullpen really well.“

Although the public announcement of the Gold Glove selections was made on ESPN 2’s "Baseball Tonight“, Straw first heard the news during a phone call from his agent. He watched the show live with family and friends.

Managers and coaches compose 75% in the Gold Glove selection process, while 25% comes from the Sabermetrics community.

Cleveland opens their 2023 season on March 30, on the road against the Seattle Mariners.