Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and third baseman Scott Rolen were recognized for defensive excellence Friday when it was announced the two All-Star performers had been selected to receive the Rawlings Gold Glove Award at their respective positions.

The award was Rolen's seventh overall and his fourth in five seasons with the Cardinals. It was the first such award for Pujols, who has migrated from third base to left field to first base in six major league seasons. The '06 season was Pujols' third at first base, and the award completed a portrait of him as a total player.

Rolen led NL third basemen with a .965 fielding percentage as he committed 15 errors in 428 chances. Pujols cut his errors from 14 to six while ranking as perhaps the most aggressive defender at his position.

Pujols' Gold Glove is the first won by a Cardinals first baseman since Keith Hernandez in 1982.

Center fielder Jim Edmonds, who didn't play in much of the season's final month because he had post-concussion syndrome, failed to capture the award for the first time in seven seasons with the Cardinals. Edmonds was the Cardinals' only Gold Glove recipient last season.

The Cardinals ranked as the only NL team with multiple honorees.

"Scott continues his excellence,'' Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Albert continues to make himself into a totally complete player. It's a tribute to how hard he's worked that his defense is now recognized along with his other skills.''

Pujols, 26, made winning a Gold Glove a quest after moving from left field to first base following the 2003 season. The 2005 NL Most Valuable Player long has chafed at characterizations of him as a home run hitter with little note taken of his base-running and defensive skills.

"I just wanted to be a consistent and complete player,'' Pujols said. "I don't want people saying about me, 'He's a great hitter but he can't play out there.' If you make our infield better, you can save games. I can go 0 for 4 and still save games. Now that I've got one (Gold Glove), hopefully I can build on it."

Third base coach Jose Oquendo assisted Pujols' transition from the outfield, a fact Pujols rarely omits from any discussion of the strides he has made.

"He worked real hard for it. He put the time in from the beginning and it paid off," said Oquendo, who recently interviewed for the San Diego Padres' managerial vacancy. "I told him from the start he could be a Gold Glove winner if he wanted it. He did. I know he's very proud. It's a big accomplishment."

Pujols committed just six errors among 1,464 chances while showing above-average range and an uncommon ability to save errors by picking low throws.

"I told him now he's got to make it a consistent thing," said Oquendo, crediting Pujols' drop in errors to greater awareness at the position.

"He knew what he needed to do," said Oquendo. "He knew when he needed to make a certain play and when he didn't need to. He was aggressive at the right time and took the sure out at the right time. He also got a lot better at the double play."

Pujols likewise shared the honor.

"I've always had good hands but Oquendo helped me relax and just play the game over there," Pujols said. "He worked with me a lot from the first day I went over there. He never stopped, not three years ago, not this year."

Rolen's award carries historic significance because it moves him past Buddy Bell and Robin Ventura into sole possession of the third most awards at his position.

Only Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10) have won more. Rolen, 31, recaptured an award he has owned for all but two seasons since 1998. Florida's Mike Lowell rented it last season as Rolen missed much of the season because of a shoulder injury.

Many believed Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina had a chance to join his friend Pujols as a first-time winner, but managers and coaches instead gave the award to Houston's Brad Ausmus for a third time. Former Cardinals pillar Mike Matheny won the award from 2003-05.

Though the award is purely for defense, it is not immune from being influenced by offensive prowess. Molina struggled to a .216 average during the season before leading the club with 19 hits in 16 postseason games.

Edmonds' absence made room for New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran to win his first Gold Glove. Atlanta center fielder Andruw Jones, deemed by some the best outfielder of his generation, and San Diego center fielder Mike Cameron completed the outfield. Jones' award was his ninth.

San Francisco shortstop Omar Vizquel and Arizona second baseman Orlando Hudson completed the infield. Vizquel has won 11 Gold Gloves, two with the Giants and nine in the American League.

Los Angeles pitcher Greg Maddux won his 16th Gold Glove to tie Jim Kaat's record for a pitcher. Maddux has won the award all but one year since 1990. Mike Hampton interrupted Maddux's run in 2003 with the Braves.