Silver Sluggers & Golden Glovers

If you’re wondering who the best all-around players are in Major League Baseball, look no further. Rawlings announced their annual Golden Glove winners on Tuesday, honoring the best defensive player at each position in both the National and American leagues. And the Silver Sluggers were honored on Wednesday, featuring the best hitters at each position in both leagues.

As voted on by managers and coaches only, both awards found nine first-timers, and the Red Sox were heralded the most with six total.

Sporting his first Silver Slugger since 2007, David Ortiz had a huge bounce back year, batting .309, driving in 29 HR and 96 RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury, who will most likely win the American League MVP and has already won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award, won both a Silver Slugger and a Golden Glove in center field. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez took home both awards, while Dustin Pedroia won his second Gold Glove at second base.

Joining Ellsbury and Gonzalez to win both awards are Adrian Beltre, Brandon Phillips, Matt Kemp and Troy Tulowitzki, who out-dueled Met’s shortshop Jose Reyes, who went on to win the NL batting title

Other highlight award winners include Braves catcher, Brian McCann, who took home his 4^th Silver Slugger in a row and 5^th total. He’s won the award every year but one since becoming a full time starter.  Cardinals catcher, Yadier Molina, cemented his defensive prowess once again, claiming his 4^th straight Golden Glove. And Angels shortstop Erick Aybar took his 1^st Gold Glove, unseating Derek Jeter who has won five of the last seven at the position.

Pitchers winning golden mitts include first timer,  Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers ace who is the front runner for the NL Cy Young, and 3^rd straight winner Mark Buehrle, who is the first 3-time winner for the White Sox since their new manager, Robin Ventura, did it for them at the hot corner from 1991-93.

AL GOLD GLOVE WINNERS

NL GOLD GLOVE WINNERS

SILVER SLUGGERS

Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS