Maddux still golden at age of 42

Age is no issue for Greg Maddux when it comes to fielding his position.

The 42-year-old pitcher won his record 18th Gold Glove on Wednesday while outfielder Shane Victorino of the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies was among five first-time winners in the National League.

Slick shortstop Jimmy Rollins joined Victorino from the Phillies, winning for the second consecutive season. The New York Mets also had two winners: outfielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright, both of whom repeated.

Other first-time honorees for defensive excellence were St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips and Pittsburgh outfielder Nate McLouth.

The Houston Astros, who committed 16 fewer errors than any other major league team, did not have a winner.

Rawlings has presented Gold Gloves annually since 1957. Managers and coaches vote on players in their own leagues before the regular season ends, but they may not select members of their own teams.

American League winners will be announced today.

BONDS' ATTORNEYS SEEK DISMISSAL: Attorneys for Barry Bonds urged a federal judge in San Francisco on Wednesday to toss out charges accusing baseball's all-time home run king of lying to a grand jury about his alleged steroid use. They said the questions asked during his testimony were too ambiguous.

For instance, Bonds' attorneys said, prosecutors asked him during his December 2003 grand jury appearance if he had "taken anything like" steroids.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston said she would rule on Bonds' request.

TAX INCREASES CONCERN AGENTS: Some baseball agents already are thinking about trying to beat a possible tax increase for their well-paid clients under an Obama administration.

President-elect Barack Obama has proposed increasing the top federal income tax rate from 35 percent to 39.6 percent, where it was under president Bill Clinton.

If signing bonuses are paid before Jan. 1, they likely would be taxed at the current rate and would not be subject to any increase.

DODGERS DECLINE PENNY OPTION: Brad Penny's $9.25 million option was declined Wednesday by the Los Angeles Dodgers, making the 30-year-old right-hander eligible to become a free agent.

Penny, who receives a $2 million buyout, was 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA last season.