The Analyst

Good As Gold
Fielding numbers are the black sheep of baseball statistics. The same world that embraces RBIs, ERAs and, yes, batting averages in late-inning pressure situations regularly thumbs its nose at defensive stats. O.K., fielding percentages aren't as sexy as, say, Mark McGwire's home run tally. Still, they deserve recognition, so here are the leaders at each position. To qualify, an infielder or outfielder must have played in at least two thirds of his team's games; a catcher, in at least half. Tom Glavine gets the nod among pitchers because he has had the most chances without an error.

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CHART

JOHN GRIMWADE

	ERRORS	CHANCES	FIELDING PCT.
1B Don Mattingly Yankees	2	1,064	.998
2B Jose Lind Pirates	4	596	.993
SS Omar Vizquel Mariners	4	467	.991
3B Kevin Seitzer Brewers	7	291	.976
LF Tim Raines White Sox	2	252	.992
CF Lance Johrson White Sox	1	338	.997
RF Paul O'Neill Reds	1	238	.996
C Tom Pagnozzi Cardinals	1	574	.998
P Tom Glavine Braves	0	45	1.000