A-Rod nabs 10th Silver Slugger; half of winners new

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) – New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez picked up his 10th Silver Slugger Award on Thursday, highlighting a relatively new cast of players to receive the honor given to the top offensive performers at their respective positions.

Rodriguez tied Mike Piazza for second-most Silver Sluggers all-time. Only Barry Bonds, with 12, has more.

Of the American League winners, Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau, Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia and Baltimore designated hitter Aubrey Huff were first-time honorees. The entire AL outfield — the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton, Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore and the White Sox’s Carlos Quentin — won for the first time.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter picked up his third straight award, while Twins catcher Joe Mauer won his second.

By contrast, only three National League players won for the first time — Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun, St. Louis outfielder Ryan Ludwick and Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

Outfielder Matt Holliday — who played for Colorado in 2008 but was traded to Oakland on Wednesday — won his third in a row, as did Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley.

Other NL winners of the Silver Slugger were St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols; Mets third baseman David Wright; Atlanta catcher Brian McCann; and Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Pujols won his fourth, while Wright, McCann and Zambrano each won his second.

Selections for the Louisville Silver Slugger Award were based on a combination of offensive statistics including batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, as well as the coaches’ and managers’ general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value.

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