Rollins nabs third straight Gold Glove

By Sports Network | The Sports Network • Published November 11, 2009

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Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins won his third straight Gold Glove Award on Wednesday, when the National League winners were announced.

Rollins, who made just six errors in 155 games this past season for the National League champions, becomes the first NL shortstop to win three straight since New York's Rey Ordonez did it from 1997-1999.

Joining Rollins in the infield were Los Angeles second baseman Orlando Hudson, who took home his third NL Gold Glove and fourth overall despite splitting time late in the season with Ronnie Belliard; first baseman Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres; and Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who became the first National to be rewarded for his defense.

Gonzalez, who could be moved this offseason, also won this award last season and made just seven errors in 1,367 total chances this past year.

In the outfield, Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino took home his second straight Gold Glove and was joined by a pair of first-timers in Houston's Michael Bourn and Los Angeles' Matt Kemp.

St. Louis' Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright became just the sixth battery to win the award, and the first since Rick Reuschel and Tony Pena did so with Pittsburgh in 1985.

Molina, who threw out 40.7 percent of would-be basestealers, took home his second straight Gold Glove behind the plate, while Wainwright won the award for the first time in his career, as he did not commit an error in 56 chances. Wainwright, who is also a front-runner for the NL Cy Young Award, supplanted the retired Greg Maddux, who had won this award in 18 of the last 19 seasons, including the last five years.

The American League winners were announced on Tuesday.