Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton wins Silver Slugger award

by PegNews wire

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers anounced today that outfielder Josh Hamilton was named to the American League Silver Slugger team on Thursday.

Hamilton was selected to the American League outfield along with Carlos Quentin of the White Sox and Grady Sizemore of the Indians. Hamilton previously was named the AL's Outstanding Player in the Player's Choice Awards as well as the Rangers Player of the Year by the local media.

Hamilton, acquired last winter from the Reds for pitcher Edinson Volquez, hit .304 with 98 runs scored, 32 home runs and a league-leading 130 RBIs for the Rangers. He was selected to the AL All-Star team in his second season in the Major Leagues and was voted into the starting lineup.

He is the first Rangers outfielder named to the team since Juan Gonzalez in 1998. He is the fourth Rangers outfielder to win a Silver Slugger. Gonzalez was named to the team five times while Ruben Sierra won a Silver Slugger award in 1989 and Al Oliver did so in 1980.

He is the first Ranger named to the team since infielders Mark Teixeira and Alfonso Soriano in 2005. The only other Ranger named to the Silver Slugger team in this decade was shortstop Alex Rodriguez in 2001-03.

Source: Texas Rangers