Dodgers Blue Heaven: Adrian Gonzalez Wins his Second Louisville Silver Slugger Award

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Adrian Gonzalez Wins his Second Louisville Silver Slugger Award

It's been quite an offseason so far for Adrian Gonzalez. Just days after winning his fourth Rawlings Gold Glove, a second National Sports Award from Mexico and a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year honor, Adrian Gonzalez has been named the Louisville Silver Slugger award winner for first baseman in the National League. A complete list of winners can be seen here.

Adrian Gonzalez had this to say, via a press release:

"I'm excited to win the Silver Slugger Award, especially with so many deserving first basemen in the National League this year," said Gonzalez. "I'm grateful for the consideration and votes for this prestigious honor."

This is his second career Silver Slugger award; having won his first in 2011 as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He is the first Dodger to win the award at first base since Eric Karros in 1995, and only the third Dodger ever to win the award at that position. Eddie Murray won it in 1990. Of note, he is the only player this year to have won both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove during the same season, and it's the fifth time a Dodger has won both awards at the same time. Per Eric Stephen of True Blue LA on twitter:

Dodgers w/Silver Slugger & Gold Glove in same season: Dusty Baker ('81), Russell Martin (2007), Matt Kemp (2009,2011), Adrian Gonzalez ('14)
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) November 6, 2014

Of note, Gonzalez edged out several other worthy first baseman; including Cubs sensation Anthony Rizzo. In fact, Rizzo had bested Gonzalez in just about every offensive category (home runs, runs, batting average, on-base %, slugging % and WAR) except for RBI's. Adrian drove in a Major League leading 116 runs over Rizzo's 78.

Which goes to show that voters valued AGon's knack for driving in runs over a broad statistical view. BTW, this award was voted on by Major League managers and coaches only, so they likely valued Gonzalez's bat in key situations over anyone else's. As the guidelines state:

Selections were based on a combination of offensive statistics, including batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, as well as the managers’ and coaches’ general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value (emphasis mine). Managers and coaches were not allowed to vote for players on their own teams.