Two things have been automatic since Ichiro Suzuki came to the major leagues. He gets at least 200 hits and he wins a Gold Glove each season.
The Seattle Mariners’ star outfielder won his sixth straight American League Gold Glove for defensive excellence Thursday in a vote of major league managers and coaches.
Suzuki, who played 121 games in right field and 39 in center, made three errors in 376 fielding chances to finish fifth in the AL with a .992 fielding percentage. He has a .994 career fielding percentage, the highest among major league outfielders with more than 450 games.
Suzuki has won a Gold Glove every year since he came to the major leagues from Japan in 2001. He also has gotten 200 or more hits each of his first six seasons, a major league record.
Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins and Vernon Wells of the Toronto Blue Jays also were named to the AL Gold Glove team in a vote of managers and coaches.
Other AL winners were pitcher Kenny Rogers and catcher Ivan Rodriguez of the Tigers, first baseman Mark Teixeira of the Rangers, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek of the Royals, third baseman Eric Chavez of the A’s and shortstop Derek Jeter of the Yankees.
Mariners players have won Gold Gloves in 20 straight seasons, the longest streak in the major leagues. Mark Langston was the first Mariner to win a Gold Glove in 1987.
The National League Gold Glove winners will be announced today.
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