Maddux remains a standout in his fielding
Pitcher Greg Maddux, 42, won his record 18th Gold Glove on Wednesday while outfielder Shane Victorino of the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies was among five first-time winners in the National League.
Slick shortstop Jimmy Rollins joined Victorino from the Phillies, winning for the second consecutive season.
The New York Mets also had two winners: outfielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright, both of whom repeated.
Other first-time honorees for defensive excellence were St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips and Pittsburgh outfielder Nate McLouth.
The Houston Astros, who committed 16 fewer errors than any other major league team, did not have a winner.
Rawlings has presented Gold Gloves annually since 1957. Managers and coaches vote on players in their own leagues before the regular season ends, but they may not select members of their own teams.
American League winners will be announced today.
Pondering retirement after 355 wins, Maddux has been the N.L. recipient for pitchers every year since 1990 with the exception of 2003, when Mike Hampton interrupted the streak.
Last year with San Diego, Maddux snapped a tie with third baseman Brooks Robinson and pitcher Jim Kaat for the most Gold Gloves.
Maddux spent most of this season in San Diego before an Aug. 19 trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
•Penny’s option declined: Brad Penny’s $9.25 million option was declined by the Dodgers, making the 30-year-old right-hander eligible to become a free agent. Penny, who receives a $2 million buyout, was 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA in 17 starts and two relief appearances last season.
Football
Romo back on the field
Quarterback Tony Romo was back under center at practice and expects to play following the Dallas Cowboys’ bye this weekend.
Romo’s return from a broken pinkie on his throwing hand is coming along as expected.
Romo was hurt during a loss to Arizona on Oct. 12.
Dallas went 1-2 without Romo, scoring no more than 14 points with Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger running the offense. The Cowboys scored at least 24 points in all six games that Romo played.
•Culpepper could start: The Detroit Lions tried to be coy about how much Daunte Culpepper practiced and whether their new quarterback will play just days after signing. But he may make his Detroit debut this weekend because an injury to the right hand of Dan Orlovsky, who has started the last four games, appears severe enough to keep him sidelined.
•Jaguars’ Peterson sent home: Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio sent middle linebacker and team captain Mike Peterson home, two days after Del Rio questioned his team’s chemistry. It was unclear what prompted Del Rio’s decision, but there was speculation it could have been because Peterson flexed his muscles following a tackle Sunday with the team trailing 21-3. The struggling Jaguars (3-5) are coming off consecutive losses to Cleveland and Cincinnati and fading out of the AFC playoff picture.
•Wyoming coach, QB reprimanded: The Mountain West Conference has reprimanded Wyoming’s coach and quarterback for criticizing a TCU player’s hit. Quarterback Karsten Sween had a concussion from the Oct. 25 hit by TCU linebacker Robert Henson, who was flagged for a personal foul. After the game, coach Joe Glenn said he thought the hit was a “cheap shot,” and Sween said it was a “dirty hit.”
Basketball
Pistons remain unbeaten
Tayshaun Prince scored 16 of his 27 points in the second quarter, and Richard Hamilton had 22 to help the Detroit Pistons remain unbeaten with a 100-93 NBA victory over the host Toronto Raptors. Allen Iverson was unavailable for Detroit because Chauncey Billups, one of three players traded to Denver in exchange for Iverson, failed to complete his physical with the Nuggets. Iverson didn’t sit on the team bench. Rodney Stuckey added 14 points for the 4-0 Pistons.
•Hawks remain unbeaten with 12 3-pointers: Joe Johnson scored 24 points and the Atlanta Hawks made 12 3-pointers to stay perfect (3-0) while handing the host New Orleans Hornets their first loss, 87-79.
•Chalmers helps steal victory: Dwyane Wade scored 29 points, Mario Chalmers set a franchise record with nine steals, and Miami won 106-83. Miami forced 26 turnovers – matching the most in the NBA this season.
•Brown loses in return to Garden: Zach Randolph had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Nate Robinson scored all of his 24 points in the first half, and the Knicks ruined Larry Brown’s first game back at Madison Square Garden in New York with a 101-98 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats. Brown was fired by the Knicks after going 23-59 in a bizarre 2005-06 season.
•James stars at line: LeBron James scored a season-high 41 points – 15 on free throws – to lead the host Cleveland Cavaliers to a 107-93 win over the Chicago Bulls. James missed just once from the line. In his past two games, James, who has struggled with his touch from 15 feet throughout his career, has made 28 of 31 free throws after going 15 of 24 in the season’s first three games.
•Florida guard Lucas transfers: Florida guard Jai Lucas, the son of former NBA player and coach John Lucas, has decided to transfer. Lucas, a sophomore from Bellaire, Texas, averaged 8.5 points last season and led the Gators in 3-point shooting at 43.5 percent. He started all 36 games last season, as well as the team’s first exhibition game Monday night.
Hockey
Mason wins in debut
Manny Malhotra tipped in a rebound with 1:09 left, making a winner of prized goalie prospect Steve Mason in his NHL debut and leading Columbus over Edmonton 5-4. Mason, making his fourth professional start and first in the NHL, had 22 saves.