Corey Dickerson was acquired by the Pirates in February during the first full week of spring training with the reputation of being a poor defensive player. A little more than eight months later, he is the National League's Gold Glove left fielder.
The 29-year-old was named to the Gold Glove team for the first time Sunday night following a season in which he made only one error in 124 games, 266 total chances and 1,057 1/3 innings. He also had 16 defensive runs saved to rank second in the league at his position after the Braves' Adam Duvall, who had 17.
Dickerson's lone error came on a bad throw Aug. 26 against the Brewers at Milwaukee.
"Honestly, satisfying," he said on ESPN during the telecast of the ceremony. "For my whole career, I've been doubted. I've been told that I can only hit, that I can never play defense. No matter if I made all the routine plays, didn't make errors, I still wasn't good enough. That's always on my mind, to prove people wrong, because I have belief in myself."
In his two seasons with the Rays in 2016-17, Dickerson made 113 of his starts as the designated hitter, 156 in left field and one in right field. The Pirates got him in a trade for right-handed reliever Daniel Hudson and minor-league infielder Tristan Gray.
Dickerson also had a fine year at the plate, hitting .300/.330/.474 with 13 home runs in 533 at-bats.
Joining Dickerson on the NL team were Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke and shortstop Nick Ahmed; Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina; Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, center fielder Ender Inciarte and right fielder Nick Markakis; and Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu and third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The American League team consisted of Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel, Royals catcher Salvador Perez and left fielder Alex Gordon; Athletics first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman; Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler, center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and right fielder Mookie Betts; and Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
