A-Rod wins his second gold glove award

A-Rod falls short of winning his first MVP Award (2002).

A-Rod career stats and highlights.

A-Rod wins his second gold glove award

November 5, 2003 -- All-Star shortstop of the The Texas Rangers, Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez was named today as the Amercian League gold glove winner at shortstop for 2003.

Rodriguez, who committed eight errors in 699 chances, posted a career-high .989 fielding percentage, tops among AL shortstops and the best in club history.

He finished third in the American League in total chances, putouts with 227, and assists with 464. He tied with Kansas City's Angel Berroa behind Oakland's Miguel Tejada for second in games started with 158 and combined with second baseman Michael Young to lead the American League in double plays with 111.

The eight errors were the fewest ever for a Texas shortstop who qualified for the award.

"It's obviously very special," Rodriguez said. "I am honored and very flattered. It is something I work very hard at. Sometimes you get overlooked when you are an offensive player and put up offensive numbers. I take great pride in this award. I think it brings validity to the first one. I think anytime you back something up, it's not a coincidence. It's something more factual."

In 2002 season, Rodriguez became the first shortstop in Rangers history to win a Gold Glove ending Omar Vizquel's nine-year reign as the AL's Gold Glove shortstop. The last AL shortstop other than Rodriguez or Vizquel to win the award was Cal Ripken in 1992.

Last month, A-Rod won the Silver Slugger award and also won his third consecutive Hank Aaron Award as the best offensive player in the American League.