MLB Silver Sluggers awards handed out
The Silver Slugger award is handed out annually at the end of the season and is given to the best hitters at each position in both American and National Leagues, and they've now been given out for the 2010 season, which ended with the San Francisco
Giants winning the World Series.
The winners are determined by votes from Major League managers and coaches, but they are forbidden from voting for any players from their respective teams.
Catchers
Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins won his second Silver Slugger award, and fourth overall. Mauer led all American League catchers in games played, at-bats, batting average (with players who played in more
than 100 games) and finished second behind Victor Martinez of the Boston Red Sox in runs batted in (RBI’s).
Brian McCann of the Atlanta Braves also won his third straight award and fourth overall. He led the National League catchers in games played with 143, hits with 129, home runs and RBI’s.
First basemen
Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers won his third award of his career. He finished the year leading the AL in batting average and on base percentage (only those who have played in more than 100 games),
slugging, RBI’s and finished tied for first in doubles.
Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals added to his gold glove award he received this year by winning his sixth Silver Slugger and third in a row. He led the NL with 115 runs, 183 hits, 42 home runs and
118 RBI’s.
Second Basemen
New York Yankees Robinson Cano led all Al second basemen in almost every category including home runs, RBI’s, hits, at-bats, slugging and batting average. This was his second Silver Slugger award, with his first coming back in 2006.
Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlins won his first Silver Slugger award this year. He finished tied for second with 100 runs scored, but led in the home run, RBI and slugging categories.
Third Basemen
Adrian Beltre of the Boston Red Sox accomplished his second Silver Slugger award with his first coming back in 2004 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He led the AL with hits, doubles and batting average, and also finished first out of those players who
played in more than 100 games in slugging.
Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman won his second award in a row. He finished within the top five in almost all of the hitting categories including runs, hits, doubles, home runs and RBI’s.
Shortstop
Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox won his first award of his career. His numbers are in the top five in runs, hits, doubles, RBI’s, home runs and batting average.
Colorado Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki added to his gold glove he earned with his first Silver Slugger award. He finished second in runs with 89, first in home runs with 27, first in RBI’s with 95 and had the
highest batting average of those who played in more than 100 games.
Outfielders
Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista won his first award by belting out 54 home runs to lead the whole Major Leagues. He also led the AL with 124 RBI’s and was second in slugging percentage.
Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers won his second award and led the AL in slugging, and was in the top five in hits, home runs and RBI’s.
Tampa Bay Rays’ and a highly sought after free agent Carl Crawford won his first award this year by leading the AL in runs and triples and finished in the top five in hits and stolen bases.
Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun won his third award as he finished in the top three of several categories including runs, hits, doubles, and RBI’s.
Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez won his first award for finishing first in runs, hits, homeruns and RBI’s.
Matt Holliday of the Cardinals won his fourth award and his first since 2008. He finished the year in the top five in at bats, runs, hits, doubles, home runs and RBI’s.
National League Pitcher
Brewers Yovani Gallardo won his first slugger award for his 16 hits, four doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI’s.
American League Designated Hitter (DH)
Vladimir Guerrero of the Rangers won his eighth silver bat for driving in 115 runs (first at his position), clubbing 29 home runs (second), and having 178 hits (first).
The next awards to be handed out will be for Rookie of the Year on 15 November. Candidates for that include Neftali Feliz, Wade Davis and Austin Jackson from the AL and Jason Heyward, Buster Posey and Gaby
Sanchez from the NL.
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