To the Strat-O-Matic Community,

As you all know, Strat-O-Matic’s fielding ratings are influenced by the results of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. In most instances, Gold Glove recipients receive a Strat-O-Matic fielding rating of ONE. In some cases, a rating of TWO has been issued with no other starting fielder at the same position receiving a rating higher than TWO. On rare occasions, a non-winning fielder has received a higher rating than the Gold Glove winner.

This year, for the first time, Strat-O-Matic has issued an advanced player card fielding rating of THREE to a Gold Glove winner. Bobby Abreu of the Phillies, known for his wonderful offensive skills and strong throwing arm, was issued this rating despite receiving the Gold Glove Award.

Strat-O-Matic is still a firm believer in the Gold Glove Awards. However, in the future, if we strongly feel that a player has been inappropriately awarded a Gold Glove, we will once again deviate from our normal policy of issuing a rating of ONE or TWO to that particular player. Frankly and hopefully, this may never happen again.

Yours truly,

HAL RICHMAN, president

P.S. Please read letter from Bobby Abreu’s former teammate Doug Glanville, regarding this situation