The Chicago Cubs just added a little more shine to their defensive legacy, with three players taking home Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for the 2025 season. Out of six Cubs who were named finalists, it was center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, second baseman Nico Hoerner, and left fielder Ian Happ who emerged with the hardware.

Let’s start with Crow-Armstrong, who picked up his first career Gold Glove – and if his glove continues to flash like it did this season, it won’t be his last. The 23-year-old patrolled center field with the kind of range and instincts that make pitchers breathe easier and runners think twice. His jumps, route efficiency, and closing speed were elite, and now he’s got the hardware to show for it.

Then there’s Nico Hoerner, who added a second Gold Glove to his trophy case. Hoerner continues to be a rock at second base – smooth, steady, and always in the right spot.

His double-play pivots are crisp, and his ability to cover ground up the middle gives the Cubs a real edge defensively. He’s the kind of player who makes the plays you expect – and a few you don’t.

But the headline here? Ian Happ.

For the fourth straight season, Happ was named the National League’s top defensive left fielder – a streak that now makes him the all-time Gold Glove leader among outfielders in Cubs history. And yes, the reaction has been loud, especially from corners of the fan base that have never quite bought into Happ’s glove.

Here’s the thing: the numbers back him up.

In 2025, Happ led all NL left fielders with 9 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). He finished with 0 Outs Above Average (OAA), 5 assists, just 1 error, and a .997 fielding percentage. Those numbers aren’t flashy across the board, but in a year where no one at the position truly separated themselves, Happ was the steadiest hand.

Compare that to the other finalists:

• Tommy Pham: 5 DRS, -2 OAA, 6 assists, 3 errors, .986 fielding %
• Kyle Stowers: 2 DRS, -1 OAA, 5 assists, 1 error, .993 fielding %

None of the three had elite OAA, and Happ’s DRS gave him a clear edge. He also committed the fewest errors and had the highest fielding percentage. In a season where the bar for excellence in left field wasn’t particularly high, Happ cleared it.

Now, some Milwaukee Brewers fans have voiced frustration over Isaac Collins being left out of the finalist pool. Collins posted a league-best 6 OAA in left field – a strong number, no doubt.

But he reportedly didn’t meet the minimum innings qualification at the position, which kept him out of the running. It’s a tough break, but that’s how the eligibility rules work.

As for Happ, the consistency is hard to ignore. Since becoming the Cubs’ full-time left fielder in 2022, he’s racked up a 13.3 fWAR – fifth-best among all left fielders in MLB over that span.

Offensively, he’s been solid too, posting a 119 wRC+ since 2022, tied for ninth at the position. He may not be the flashiest name in the game, but he’s been one of the most reliable – and that matters.

With Happ under contract through 2026 and set to earn $20.33 million next season, the Cubs have a dependable veteran anchoring left field. And now, with four Gold Gloves to his name, he’s cemented his place in franchise history.

Love him or question the metrics – the numbers say Ian Happ earned this one.