Pujols, Renteria Win Silver Slugger Awards
By The Associated Press
10/29/2003
National League batting champion Albert Pujols and Cardinals teammate Edgar Renteria each won a Silver Slugger award, given to the top offensive players in each league at each position.
Pujols, who nipped Colorado's Todd Helton .35871 to .35849 for the batting title, joined San Francisco's Barry Bonds and Atlanta's Gary Sheffield as Silver Sluggers in the National League outfield. Pujols, with 43 homers and 124 RBIs, made a run at the NL's Triple Crown before fading in late September.
Renteria easily won at shortstop after batting .330 and becoming the first shortstop in Cards history to drive in 100 runs.
Players were picked by major league managers and coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own players.
Selections were based on a combination of offensive statistics, such as batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, as well as general impressions of a player's offensive value.
Hillerich & Bradsby Co., maker of Louisville Sluggers, sponsors the award.
Bonds' Silver Slugger award was his 11th. Other NL choices:
Helton, at first base; Montreal second baseman Jose Vidro; Florida third baseman Mike Lowell; Atlanta catcher Javy Lopez; and Braves pitcher Mike Hampton.
Texas shortstop Alex Rodriguez was chosen for the seventh time, and Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez for the sixth time.
AL batting champion Bill Mueller, a St. Louisan who plays third base for the Red Sox, was a first-time winners. Other AL winners:
Toronto first baseman Carlos Delgado, Seattle second baseman Bret Boone, Anaheim outfielder Garret Anderson, Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells, New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada; and Seattle designated hitter Edgar Martinez.
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