Toronto Blue Jays Aaron Hill and Adam Lind were honoured with Silver Slugger Awards today for their performance this past season.
Hill, who was also named the 2009 AL Comeback Player of the Year, posted career highs with 36 home runs, 108 RBI, 195 hits, 103 runs scored and 682 at-bats.
The 108 RBI are the most by any Major League second baseman since Bret Boone recorded 117 in 2003. The right-handed hitter also made his first All-Star appearance, starting at second base for the AL squad.
The 26-year old Lind set career highs in most offensive categories, including leading the Blue Jays in batting average (.305), RBI (114) & slugging percentage (.562). The designated hitter ranked fifth in the AL in total bases with 330.
His RBI total of 114 is the first 100+ RBI season from a Blue Jays left-handed hitter since Carlos Delgado posted 145 in 2003.
The duo of Lind and Hill were just the second pair in Blue Jays history to record at least 35 home runs, 35 doubles and 100 RBI in the same season. In addition the combined RBI between the two are the most by a Blue Jay duo since 2003 when Delgado (145) and Vernon Wells (117) combined for 262. This marks only the third time in Blue Jays history that two Blue Jays have won the award in the same season; 1999 (Shawn Green/Delgado) & 2003 (Delgado/Wells).
Other Silver Slugger winners in the American League were Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira and shortstop Derek Jeter, 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.
National League winners on the infield were Cardinals power-hitting first baseman Albert Pujols, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, 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.
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.