Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez won his ninth straight AL Gold Glove despite missing the last two months of the season because of a broken right thumb, and three Cleveland infielders were honored for their fielding excellence.

	AL Gold Glovers
	First base	John Olerud, Mariners
	Second base	Roberto Alomar, Indians
	Shortstop	Omar Vizquel, Indians
	Third base	Travis Fryman, Indians
	Outfielder	Jermaine Dye, Royals
	Outfielder	Bernie Williams, Yankees
	Outfielder	Darin Erstad, Angels
	Catcher	Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers
	Pitcher	Kenny Rogers, Rangers

Second baseman Roberto Alomar, shortstop Omar Vizquel and third baseman Travis Fryman all won for Cleveland.

The Indians became the first club to have three infielders earn Gold Gloves in the same season since Baltimore in 1975. Alomar earned his ninth award overall and Vizquel won for the eighth straight time.

New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams won his fourth straight Gold Glove. Two outfielders were recognized for the first time: Anaheim's Darin Erstad and Kansas City's Jermaine Dye.

Two other first-time winners were Seattle first baseman John Olerud and Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers.

Major league managers and coaches vote on the honors.

Rodriguez broke his thumb on July 24 and appeared in just 87 games as a catcher. He led all AL qualifiers with a career-high .996 fielding percentage (two errors in 543 total chances).

"I was surprised because I got hurt two months before the season was over," Rodriguez said. "I played the best I could until I got hurt."

Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench won 10 straight Gold Gloves for Cincinnati (1968-77).

Rodriguez went 61 straight games without an error and threw out 16 of 33 (48 percent) baserunners attempting to steal against him during his abbreviated season.

Rogers became the first Texas pitcher ever to win a Gold Glove. In the process, he ended Mike Mussina's four-year hold on the award for AL pitchers.

"It was a real surprise," Rogers said. "This is something I try to do well. Fielding is important to me. It's something I care about."

Rogers led AL pitchers with 66 total chances, 46 assists, and six double plays, the latter tying the club record. He had two errors (.970 fielding percentage). Rogers also led AL pitchers with nine pickoffs.

It is only the fourth time that a pitcher and catcher from the same team have won Gold Gloves. The last pitcher-catcher combo to do so was Bret Saberhagen and Bob Boone of Kansas City in 1989.

Vizquel tied a major league record for shortstops by committing only three errors. Alomar won from 1991 through 1996, and also has won the last three years. Fryman won for the first time.

Dye became the first Kansas City outfielder to win a Gold Glove since Willie Wilson in 1980.

"I know I can't get too high on myself," said Dye, who was also voted to start in the All-Star team. "I've still got to go out there and work and make myself better because I know I can get better at this game and become a real impact player in this league."

Dye, 26, is the first Royals player to win a Gold Glove since catcher Bob Boone and pitcher Bret Saberhagen did it in 1989.