Rangers infield duo joins rare company with Silver Slugger nods
The American League Silver Slugger Award winners were announced on Thursday, highlighted by a pair of teammates from the World Series Champion Texas Rangers.
Marcus Semien and Corey Seager both received the honor, becoming only the sixth second base/shortstop combo to earn the Silver Slugger Award in the same season since the award's inception in 1980.
Semien and Seager join some rare company. The pair are the first to accomplish the feat since Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007. Furthermore, they're the first members of the AL to do it since Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees in 2006.
The Rangers second baseman is coming off arguably his best season in the bigs. Semien led the majors in hits (185) and finished first in doubles (40), home runs (29), RBI (100) and walks (72) among AL second basemen. For Semien, it's his second Silver Slugger Award.
Meanwhile, the World Series MVP can add a third Silver Slugger Award to his mantle. Seager finished with an MLB-best 42 doubles and led AL SS in home runs (33) and RBI (96) while finishing third in hits (156).
Texas also received the AL Silver Slugger Team Award. The Rangers led the AL in batting average (.263), on-base percentage (.337), slugging (.452), OPS (.790), runs scored (881), hits (1,470), home runs (233) and RBI (845).
The rest of the AL field is a who's who of standouts at the plate, along with some new blood. Among the winners, five take home the prize for the first time, including Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson, who became only the 13th rookie to win a Silver Slugger Award. Chicago White Sox left fielder Luis Robert Jr., Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker, Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz and Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman joined Henderson as first-time winners.
Meanwhile, second-time winners included Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Seattle Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodriguez, who has won back-to-back Silver Slugger Awards in as many seasons in the majors.
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