NEW YORK -- Seems like some managers and coaches weren't paying much attention this year.

Texas Rangers first baseman Rafael Palmeiro won his third straight American League Gold Glove despite playing just 28 games at the position this year.

	Palmeiro

"I laughed when I heard about it," Palmeiro said to The Dallas Morning News. "The only way I can look at it is that people have respect for what I've done at the position in the past and they recognize me as one of the best in the game.

"It's weird thing, but there were years when I felt I should have won it and didn't."

Palmeiro, a designated hitter in 128 games, joined Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who won his eighth straight Gold Glove, among the winners announced Tuesday by Rawlings.

Palmeiro said he had supported the Rangers regular first baseman, Lee Stevens, for the award. Stevens ranked second in double plays, third in total chances and fifth in fielding percentage.

"I truly believe he deserved it this year," Palmeiro told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "He played really well, probably better than anyone else in the American League.

"But it was a goal of mine to be a Gold Glove first baseman, and now I've established myself. I'm proud of that. I feel bad that Lee wasn't honored with this, but at the same time I feel proud that I've earned the respect of coaches and managers around the league."

Palmeiro, his time in the field limited by a pair of arthroscopic knee operations before the season, had one error in 275 chances at first. He hit .324 with 47 home runs and 148 RBI.

Gold Gloves are voted on by major league managers and coaches before the end of the regular season.

Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr. won his 10th straight Gold Glove and outfielder Shawn Green, who agreed to an $84 million, six-year contract after Toronto traded him to Los Angeles on Monday, won his first.

Cleveland second baseman Roberto Alomar got his eighth and Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel won his seventh straight, an AL record. Shortstop Ozzie Smith set the NL mark of 13 in a row from 1980-92.

Two members of the World Series champion New York Yankees also got Gold Gloves: outfielder Bernie Williams won his third straight and third baseman Scott Brosius won his first.

Alomar gets a $100,000 bonus for winning, while Brosius, Green, Griffey Palmeiro, Rodriguez and Vizquel each gets $50,000.

National League Gold Glove winners were to be announced Wednesday.