Ichiro a Gold Glover for 7th year in a row

The Mariners picked up a couple of pieces of postseason hardware Tuesday when center fielder Ichiro Suzuki and third baseman Adrian Beltre were named American League Gold Glove winners for their defensive excellence in 2007.

"Both of these guys are very, very deserving," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "These two are two of the elite."

Ichiro, who got the news just as he was boarding a plane at Sea-Tac Airport headed back to Japan, has seven consecutive Gold Gloves, one for each season he's been in the big leagues.

"I am very happy for this award," Ichiro said through interpreter Antony Suzuki, "because it ties my accomplishment reached in Japan of seven straight Gold Gloves."

That's 14 consecutive awards for defensive excellence for Ichiro, who was in center field for the entire 2007 season after moving from right to center with two months left in the 2006 season after center fielder Jeremy Reed was injured.

"This is a special award for me," Ichiro said, "because I made the change from right to center."

For Beltre, the award was his first, although he's been recognized as one of the AL's best third basemen since coming to Seattle three seasons ago.

Winning the award for the first time seemed to have a special place in Beltre's heart.

"To be a Gold Glover, that is every defender's goal," he said in a statement. "All the hard work paid off. I wasn't expecting (it) or waiting for it to happen, because there is a lot of competition. I was actually pretty shocked when (McLaren) told me, but shocked in a good way."

Beltre said he though he'd played well enough in 2004, his final season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, to earn the NL Gold Glove that went to St. Louis' Scott Rolen. Oakland's Eric Chavez won the AL Gold Glove in 2005 and 2006. Chavez was injured this year and not a factor.

"In my opinion, that's the best I've played defensively," Beltre said. "But those things happen. You keep showing up and working hard and try to get better each day. I am very proud of my defense."

Beltre made 18 errors, a rather high total for a Gold Glove winner. But when opposition coaches and managers, who do the voting, factored in his range, his ability to charge a bunt and his exceptional range tracking down foul pops, the decision became clearer.

"A.B. is finally getting the due he's deserved for a while now," McLaren said. "We all know how that (the voting) works. I'm not slighting anybody else, but he deserves this. He's played Gold Glove defense for a long time. He's a bulldog. He plays every day, and every day he did a great job for us."

Beltre, the NL home run champion in 2004 and a steady run producer with Seattle, said he hoped that he wouldn't be known just for his offense.

"There are two sides to my game, and I work hard to be my best at both," he said. "I think I enjoy defense the most. There are not a lot of mechanics involved. You just get out there and let your instincts and all the hard work you've put in take over."

Ichiro and Beltre likely will get their awards during Opening Day ceremonies March 31 at Safeco Field. Beltre said it would be special to share the stage with Ichiro.

"There is nobody better in the outfield than Ichiro," Beltre said. "He is just amazing, especially now moving from right field to center. Seven straight years -- that is pretty amazing, and I am very happy for him."

2007 GOLD GLOVES

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1B -- Kevin Youkilis, Boston

2B -- Placido Polanco, Detroit

SS -- Orlando Cabrera, L.A

3B -- Adrian Beltre, Seattle

OF -- Torii Hunter, Minnesota

OF -- Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle

OF -- Grady Sizemore, Cleveland

C -- Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit

P -- Johan Santana, Minnesota

NATIONAL LEAGUE

1B -- Derrek Lee, Chicago

2B -- Orlando Hudson, Arizona

SS -- Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia

3B -- David Wright, New York

OF -- Carlos Beltran, New York

OF -- Andruw Jones, Atlanta

OF -- Aaron Rowand, Philadelphia

and Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta

C -- Russell Martin, Los Angeles

P -- Greg Maddux, San Diego