ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- While Ken Griffey Jr., Omar Vizquel and Ivan Rodriguez were among the repeaters as American League Gold Glove award winners, Texas Rangers first baseman Rafael Palmeiro was a stunning recipient of his third straight award today.

Bernie Williams of the New York Yankees, Mike Mussina of the Baltimore Orioles and Roberto Alomar of the Cleveland Indians also repeated, but it was the selection of Palmeiro, who played only 28 games at the position, that raised eyebrows.

Palmeiro, steady when healthy, was injured the entire year and committed one error in 246 chances. By contrast, Palmeiro's teammate, Lee Stevens, posted a .994 fielding percentage while handling 1,292 chances at first base.

Griffey, who recently was voted Player of the Decade by his peers, won his 10th straight Gold Glove. The 10 awards trail only Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays (12 apiece) among outfielders. Only Clemente, Mays, Brooks Robinson (16 at third base) and Jim Kaat (16 at pitcher) have won more Gold Glove awards than Griffey.

The Seattle Mariners superstar is joined in the outfield by Williams, who won his third consecutive award, and first-time honoree Shawn Green, who won the award with the Toronto Blue Jays but was traded Monday to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rodriguez, the Rangers' All-Star catcher, won his eighth Gold Glove as did Alomar, who completed his first season in Cleveland. Alomar's eight awards are one shy of longtime Chicago Cub Ryne Sandberg for the most by a second baseman.

Vizquel, Alomar's slick-fielding double play partner, captured his seventh straight award. Among shortstops, only former St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith, who won 13, has more. Yankees third baseman Scott Brosius received his first award.

Mussina, the Orioles' ace righthander, was honored as the top fielding pitcher for the fourth straight season.

The National League winners will be announced Wednesday.

The Gold Glove awards have been presented by Rawlings since 1958.