Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki and Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter received Gold Gloves for the ninth straight year in the American League on Tuesday.
Hunter and Suzuki are one shy of the AL record for outfielders, shared by Ken Griffey Jr and Hall of Famer Al Kaline.
Derek Jeter won his fourth Gold Glove at shortstop, joining New York Yankees teammate and first baseman Mark Teixeira among the AL players honored for fielding excellence.
First-time winners included Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones and Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle.
Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and Detroit second baseman Placido Polanco each earned their second award.
Rawlings has presented Gold Gloves annually since 1957. Managers and coaches vote on players in their own leagues before the regular season ends, but they may not select members of their own teams.
“Playing championship-caliber baseball starts with pitching and defense, and I think those two components were certainly the foundation for our success in 2009,” Jeter said.
Teixeira played a big part in New York’s title, too. In his first season with the Yankees after signing a US$180 million, eight-year contract, Teixeira impressed with his reliable glove as well as his powerful bat. He saved runs with diving stops, nimble stretches and tough scoops. Teammates and opponents alike pointed to his substantial effect on the club’s overall defense.
A Gold Glove winner in 2005 and 2006 with Texas, Teixeira committed just four errors this year and had a .997 fielding percentage.
Hunter receives a US$100,000 bonus for winning the Gold Glove, while Suzuki gets US$50,000. Buehrle, Longoria, Mauer and Polanco each earned US$25,000.
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