The Orix Buffaloes, who lost the tightest of pennant races this year to the Pacific League champion Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, were second to none Thursday, when this year's Golden Glove Award were announced.
The Buffaloes led all 12 Nippon Professional Baseball clubs with four Golden Gloves, three going to first-time winners pitcher Chihiro Kaneko, catcher Hikaru Ito and first baseman Takahiro Okada. Outfielder Yoshio Itoi won his sixth straight.
"Winning this award is one of my goals every year," said Itoi, who was playing his second season for Orix. "So, to be able to win this year makes me really happy. It is an honor."