"What is odd to me is early in his career when I really thought he was a defensive wall he won no GG.  Now that his name is out there he wins every year."

That's not unusual. Mike Schmidt was winning Gold Gloves in the '80s based on his defense in the '70s, and Rafael Palmeiro, who was a good defensive first baseman in his prime, won a GG after he spent most of the season as a DH. And I have no idea how anyone explains Cal Ripken winning twice over Omar Vizquel.