Even though baseball season is over, that doesn’t mean the excitement has gone along with it.

Rawlings has handed out their 2009 Gold Glove awards (they’ve been doing so since 1957) and a couple of them went to World Series Champion New York Yankees. Managers and coaches make selections before the season ends, but are not allowed to choose members of their own clubs, of course.

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira earned his third Gold Glove with his exceptional fielding at first base while teammate Derek Jeter was awarded his fourth as the top shortstop in the American League. In addition to Jeter’s World Series ring, I’m sure that Glove will look sweet next to his Roberto Clemente Award (presented for excellence on and off the field) and his second Hank Aaron Award, given to each league’s top hitter.

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter and Seattle Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki are old hats and no surprise when it comes to this award, with both of them winning for the ninth straight season. Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer earned his second award along with Detroit Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco, who rarely slips up with an error in his fielding.

First-time winners included Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones and Chicago White Sox perfect game-throwing Mark Buehrle.

National League winners will be announced Wednesday, and be sure to look for the Cy Youngs, MVPs and Rookie of Year Awards, presented later this week.

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