Renteria, Rolen Win Silver Sluggers
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
November 5, 2002
A year of firsts has been capped off with yet another new experience for Scott Rolen. The St. Louis third baseman picked up his first Silver Slugger award on Tuesday, honoring him as the best-hitting player at his position in the National League. Cardinals shortstop Edgar Renteria was also honored, winning his second Silver Slugger.
The 2002 season will surely go down as one of Rolen's most memorable. He was named to his first All-Star team in July, and he played in the postseason for the first time. St. Louis acquired the star third baseman from the Phillies in late July in exchange for infielder Placido Polanco, lefty starter Bud Smith and right-handed reliever Mike Timlin. Rolen suffered a shoulder sprain in the National League Division Series, however, and missed all of the NL Championship Series.
Rolen batted .266 on the season. He cracked 31 homers and drove in 110 runs, both equaling career bests. He tallied a career-high eight triples and racked up 29 doubles. He posted an on-base percentage of .357 and a slugging percentage of .503. His numbers improved across the board after the trade from Philadelphia. As a Cardinal, he hit .278 with 14 homers and 44 RBIs in 205 at-bats, with an OBP of .354 and an SLG of .561.
Renteria enjoyed a career season in 2002. His .305 batting average, .364 slugging percentage, .439 on-base percentage and 83 RBIs were all personal bests, while his 36 doubles equaled a career high. Renteria knocked 11 homers, including a memorable walk-off shot that capped a six-run ninth inning against the Cubs on July 28. He hit a staggering .372 with runners in scoring position.
Considered by many in the organization to be the team's MVP in 2002, Renteria was scorching after the All-Star break. He hit .327 with a .382 OBP and .468 SLG in the second half, and seven of his home runs came after the break.
The honors may not be the last for either player this fall. Rolen is the favorite to pick up his fifth Rawlings Gold Glove next week, while Renteria is considered a candidate to be a Gold Glover for the first time.
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