Image: Zuma Press

A familiar face was back in the mix too. 35-year-old Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter became the second-oldest player honored at the position. This was Jeter’s fourth Gold Glove award and his first since 2006. Jeter committed only eight errors in 554 chances on the season. The league’s other eight shortstops with more than 500 chances averaged 17 errors.

The other 2009 AL Gold Glove Winners included Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira and Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco.

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Ichiro, Hunter Win Ninth Gold Gloves

Ichiro, who joined the Seattle Marines from the Japanese leagues in 2001, has finished with at least 206 hits in his first eight seasons. This year, he got his 200th hit against the Texas Rangers and has time to add a handful more before the end of the 2009 baseball season.

The 35-year-old from Kadugai, Japan is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, this year has been one of his better seasons. He’s currently hitting .355 — the highest he’s hit since the 2004 campaign when his batting average was .372. Ichiro also has nine homers, 38 RBIs, 79 runs and 24 stolen bases.

At 73-70, the Mariners are much improved from last year. That said, it will be yet another season without seeing the playoffs. Next year, Ichiro will try to lead his team to the postseason while going for season number ten in a row with at least 200 hits.

Ichiro Suzuki breaks another record (Image: Zuma Press)

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Ichiro Suzuki Breaks All-Time Record

Ichiro Suzuki is back following a bout with a bleeding ulcer (Image: Newscom)

Although Ichiro didn’t want to go onto the disabled list, the Mariners made the move to make sure that he could get in as much rest as possible and to treat the bleeding ulcer carefully. He had spent a large amount of time with the Japanese baseball team as they played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In the deciding game, Ichiro had the game-winning hit to lead Japan to their second consecutive WBC championship.

Playing against the Los Angeles Angels, Ichiro returned to the lineup playing in right field and batting leadoff. Last season, the 35-year-old hit .310 with 103 runs and 213 hits.

Without Ichiro the Mariners have started the season 6-2.

Post from: EveryJoe

Ichiro Returns Following Bleeding Ulcer

Here are five reasons why the AL came up with a victory yet again:

 1. Ichiro Suzuki’s pre-game F-Bombs. Move over, Bobby Knight. The Seattle Mariners‘ perpetual All-Star has a nifty peptalk ritual for his AL teammates every year.

2. Florida Marlins second baseman and probable never-again All-Star Dan Uggla set—wait for it, this one’s nice and corny—an Ugg-ly record by committing 3 errors in the game.

3. The NL probably isn’t quite accustomed to the ‘tude in New York. (That’s OK, neither were we last week). More AL teams play in Yankee Stadium and are aware of the exceedingly obnoxious Yankees fans who even booed other AL players challenging atmosphere for an opposing team.

4. Boston Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew rocked, nabbing the MVP in his All-Star debut with a two-run HR during his first at-bat. It probably helped that as a member of the Red Sox, he didn’t get verklempt over the sappy pre-game Yankee lovefest. (We’re guessing Jonathan Papelbon, whose Mariano Rivera remarks made him—along with his pregnant wife—a jeer target, didn’t either).  

5. Yogi Berra was in da house. Yeah, even Sox fans can’t resist his wit. Boo to Joe Buck for giving him the heave-ho in the booth. Yogi was just getting started!

Post from: EveryJoe

5 Reasons the AL Won the All-Star Game