Gold Gloves are given annually to one player at each position per league who exhibits “superior individual fielding performance”. It is currently voted on by managers and coaches. During it’s first year, 1957, the award was based on sportswriters votes. Then in 1958, players were allowed to vote and finally in 1965 the vote was switched to it current format.

The first year the award was only given to one player at each position regardless of league. In 1958, that changed to one player per position per league. Between 1961 and 2001, three awards were given to outfielders regardless of specific outfield position which often resulted in two or three center fielders being awarded Gold Gloves in the same season. Starting in 2012 awards have been given out based on the specific outfield position; 1 right fielder, 1 center fielder, and 1 left fielder.