Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena's smooth and valuable defense was recognized Thursday when he was named winner of the American League Gold Glove.

Pena led all AL first basemen with a .998 fielding percentage, making only two errors in 1,099 chances over 132 games.

Pena is the first Rays player to be so honored in their 11 seasons. Boston's Kevin Youkilis was the first base winner last season, Texas' Mark Teixeira the two seasons before that.

The awards are voted by league managers and coaches near the end of the season. Pena has a $25,000 bonus clause in his contract for winning.

Pena credited the rest of his infield with helping him win the award.

"We have a very good defensive ball club and we work in synergy,” Pena said. “For someone to be really good, the other three in the infield also have to be very good.
“These guys get rid of the ball quicker. I don’t have to worry about this runner coming down the line. I can relax a little bit more and make sure I take a nice pick on a bad throw. It all works together. In fact, I think we all are Gold Glovers. If you go around third base, Longoria, Bartlett, Aki. Are you serious? In my mind these guys are Gold Glovers also.”