Lloyd McClendon is campaigning for first baseman Kevin Young, second baseman Pokey Reese and left fielder Brian Giles to win Gold Gloves for defensive excellence this season.
One would think Young might have a chance and that Reese would have a great chance to win in the voting by the league's managers and coaches. But doesn't Giles play the same position as San Francisco's Barry Bonds?
"I don't think there's a better left fielder in the league than Brian Giles," McClendon said. "Barry used to be outstanding, but I think Barry's slowed down a little defensively."
For his part, Giles said, "I don't think about it."
The fact the Pirates haven't won in a long time and don't get a lot of national television exposure works against him, Giles said.
"Winning breeds individual accolades," he said. "I certainly feel I do an adequate job out there. I think people around the league recognize that I play the game the right way and that includes my defense, my offense and my baserunning.
"Barry still plays a pretty good left field, but I think my peers, the guys I play against, feel I'm a pretty good defensive player."
McClendon says 3 deserving of Gold Gloves 
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