World Champions Jeter and Teixeira Receive Gold Gloves Tuesday

Major League Baseball announced its American League Rawlings Gold Glove winners on Tuesday and there was certainly an ideal balance of familiar names and first-time recipients. Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki and Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Torii Hunter remarkably earned Gold Gloves for their ninth consecutive seasons while Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer and Detroit Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco received the second Gold Gloves of their careers.

Less than a week after winning the World Series as members of the New York Yankees, first baseman Mark Teixeira and shortstop Derek Jeter earned individual accolades by receiving 2009 Gold Gloves. Jeter, who experienced the most efficient defensive season of his prestigious career, showed his gratitude for receiving a Gold Glove in a statement that reads, "I've always taken a great deal of pride in my defense, and being honored with a Gold Glove is an accomplishment I will never overlook."

There were three first-time winners of Rawlings Gold Gloves that were announced on Tuesday to go along with the familiar faces of players who have received Gold Gloves in the past. In response to earning his first ever Gold Glove, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria thanked his teammate, first baseman Carlos Pena, by saying, "We all know how good [Pena] is. He probably saved me at least five errors this year, so without him the award might not have been possible."

The other two first-time recipients were Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buerhle, who pitched a perfect game in July, and Baltimore Orioles centerfielder Adam Jones, who is rapidly emerging as one of the game's most promising young talents.