Carlos Santana wins 2024 Gold Glove Award at first base

There isn’t always anything flashy about being a good, reliable first baseman.

It’s the least glamorous defensive position on the diamond, the place where, traditionally, a good hitter with nowhere else to go often ends up, simply because he has to stand somewhere. At its best, a well-played first base isn’t necessarily a highlight-reel spot; the vast majority of the job description simply revolves around making your teammates better (or not making them worse).

“He’s making everybody on our infield better every single day, with the way he picks every single throw that we throw in the dirt,” shortstop Carlos Correa said during the season. “I think when you seriously consider his numbers, there’s nobody better in the American League, numbers-wise.”

But Santana’s season at first base went far beyond that — and in doing so, he truly accomplished the rarity of turning his position into a source of sparkling plays alongside his relentless consistency on the routine ones, establishing the rare first-base résumé and highlight reel that made his teammates and coaches murmur and marvel, day after day.

Both by the numbers and by the eye test, Santana’s 2024 season clearly looked to be a Gold Glove effort as it unfolded — and that indeed came to fruition on Sunday, when the 38-year-old finally accomplished his longtime goal of earning that first Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

“There’s a couple of team priorities,” Santana said during the season. “But this is one where I want that this year. That’s why — you know, I try to push every day, work hard every day, and see what’s going on. I try to do what’s best for me, but if not, I’m happy for that and say thanks to God for that.”

Though Santana became a free agent following the conclusion of the World Series, he accomplished far more than the Twins could have imagined on a one-year deal to stabilize first base, not only leading the team in homers but also bringing Minnesota its first Gold Glove Award since 2017, when both Byron Buxton (center field) and Brian Dozier (second base) won.

Santana joins Doug Mientkiewicz (2001) and Vic Power (1962, ‘63) as the only Twins first basemen to win a Gold Glove.

Willi Castro was also a Gold Glove finalist at the relatively new utility position designation, but he fell short in his bid for the first career distinction of his own, with Dylan Moore of the Mariners taking home the honors.

Aged 38 years and 174 days on the final day of the regular…