Utley, Jeter Among Silver Slugger Winners
POSTED: Friday, November 13, 2009
Louisville, KY -- (Sports Network) - Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter each brought home his fourth career Silver Slugger Award on Thursday to highlight the honors given to the top offensive performers at their respective positions.
Utley, part of the two-time defending National League pennant-winning Phillies, took home the award for the fourth consecutive campaign, while Jeter's nod comes on the heels of his being given the Hank Aaron Award as the top offensive player in all of the majors.
Other National League winners on the infield were Cardinals power-hitting first baseman Albert Pujols, Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves backstop Brian McCann. Rounding out the NL selections for the outfield are Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.
Other Silver Slugger winners in the American League were Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, second baseman Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria and Twins catcher Joe Mauer.
Outfield winners in the junior circuit were Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox, Torii Hunter from the Los Angeles Angels and Ichiro Suzuki from Seattle.
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.