Heyward captures 4th Gold Glove

LOS ANGELES — The World Series-winning Chicago Cubs earned more glory Tuesday when right fielder Jason Heyward and first baseman Anthony Rizzo earned Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence. It was the fourth award for Heyward, and the first for Rizzo. The San Francisco Giants had the most Gold Glove winners with three as shortstop Brandon Crawford won his second award. Catcher Buster Posey and second baseman Joe Panik took home their first prizes. Posey’s selection snapped an eight-year win streak by St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina. The winners were selected by MLB managers and coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players. The following is a list of the winners: Catcher: National League — Buster Posey, Giants. American League — Salvador Perez, Royals. First base: National League — Anthony Rizzo, Cubs. American League — Mitch Moreland, Rangers Second base: National League — Joe Panik, Giants. American League — Ian Kinsler, Tigers. Third base: National League — Nolan Arenado, Rockies. American League — Adrian Beltre, Rangers. Shortstop: National League: Brandon Crawford, Giants. American League — Francisco Lindor, Indians. Left field: National League — Starling Marte, Pirates. American League — Brett Gardner, Yankees. Center field: National League — Ender Inciarte, Braves. American League — Kevin Kiermaier, Rays. Right Field: National League — Jason Heyward, Cubs. American League — Mookie Betts, Red Sox. Pitcher: National League — Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks. American League: Dallas Keuchel, Astros. Cubs curse-killer Epstein voted top MLB executive Theo Epstein, who put paid to the second Major League baseball “curse” of his career last week, was named Executive of the Year in a vote of 56 club executives. Epstein, 42, is president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, who captured their first World Series crown since 1908 by defeating Cleveland in the best-of-seven final four games to three. In voting conducted by the Sporting News, Epstein received 13 votes to nine for Cleveland Indians president Chris Antonetti and eight for New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Epstein had built the 2004 Boston Red Sox championship team that ended that team’s 86-year title drought to finish off the “Curse of the Bambino,” the supposed hoodoo stemming from the Red Sox trading beloved star Babe Ruth to the Yankees. Epstein’s curse-killer reputation was enhanced by the title for the Cubs, who some say were suffering under the “Curse of the Billy Goat” after a tavern owner and his goat were ejected from a 1945 World Series game and he vowed the team would not win again. After joining the Cubs in 2012, the team endured three losing seasons before making the playoffs last year and winning a season-best 103 games this year. The only previous Cubs executives to win the award were Phil Wrigley in 1945 and Dallas Green in 1984.