NEW YORK (AP) – Derek Jeter’s diving grab caught the attention of all of baseball and perhaps earned him his first American League Gold Glove.

The New York Yankees shortstop won the honor Tuesday, taking over from teammate Alex Rodriguez, who had won it two straight years before moving to third base this year.

In the 12th inning of a game against Boston on July 1, Jeter sprinted after Trot Nixon’s pop down the left-field line with runners at second and third. He made the catch in fair territory, went sprawling into the crowd and was stopped by the hard-backed seats. He was taken to a hospital with a bloodied chin, red-and-swollen cheek and bruised shoulder, and New York went on to win in the 13th inning.

“I take pride in my defense, and I work hard each year to improve in the field,” Jeter said in a statement issued by the Yankees. “There are a number of fantastic defensive shortstops in the American League – too many to count – and to be recognized with the Gold Glove makes it that much more of a special accomplishment. I also want to thank our pitching staff for having so many of our opponents hit balls in my direction.”

Some baseball analysts have said Jeter has less range than Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada.

“Derek Jeter is a great, inspired leader and captain,” Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. “He certainly deserves this honor.”

Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells also was a first-time winner.

“My hope now for next year is to put together a complete season when I might compete for both awards, the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger,” Wells said.

In his first season with Detroit, catcher Ivan Rodriguez won his 11th Gold Glove, his first since 2001 with Texas and the most for any catcher. Johnny Bench won the award 10 times.

Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers, who turns 40 on Nov. 10, won for the third time, the first since 2002.

“I’m not the same guy I was in the years past,” he said. “There’s a lot of things physically I could do that I can’t do now,” he said.

Despite his age, Rogers had 65 total chances, third in the AL behind Jake Westbrook (76) and Mark Buehrle (71).

“Shortstops and second basemen over the years have complained I go after balls that are hit right to them,” Rogers said.

Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez, Minnesota center fielder Torii Hunter and Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki all won the award for the fourth straight season. Mariners second baseman Bret Boone won his third straight Gold Glove for the Mariners, his fourth overall, and Anaheim first baseman Darin Erstad won his third award, his first since 2002.

Ivan Rodriguez and Erstad both earned $100,000 bonuses.

, while Boone, Chavez, Rogers, Suzuki and Wells each earned $50,000, and Hunter $25,000. The awards are sponsored by Rawlings.

Gold Gloves, presented since 1957 by St. Louis-based Rawlings, are voted on by managers and coaches before the end of the regular season. They may not select players on their own teams, and they vote only for players in their own league.