Ryan Braun Awarded His Fifth Consecutive Silver Slugger

The trophy case in Ryan Braun’s home is getting a little more crowded.  Congratulations to the Brewers left fielder who won his fifth consecutive Silver Slugger Award, Louisville Slugger announced tonight.

In 2012, he led the National League in home runs (41), total bases (356), runs (108) and OPS (.987).  He tied for the NL lead in extra-base hits with 80.  Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, is the only Brewer with five Silver Slugger awards.

The Silver Slugger award winners were determined by a vote of Major League Baseball coaches and managers who named the players they felt were the best offensive producers at each position in both the American and National leagues in 2012. Selections were based on a combination of offensive statistics, including batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, as well as the coaches’ and managers’ general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value.  Managers and coaches were not allowed to vote for players on their own teams. Tabulation of the balloting was verified by the accounting firm of Mountjoy Chilton Medley LLP.

The Silver Slugger trophy itself is probably one of the best looking trophies awarded in baseball.  Each trophy is three feet tall and bears the engraved name of the winner and his Silver Slugger teammates in his respective league. After the 2012 Silver Slugger Award Show, the awards will be sent back to Louisville where the public can see all 18 on display over the winter at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. The specially designed Silver Slugger Awards will be presented to each player in on-field ceremonies early in the 2013 season.

Ryan Braun and Yovani Gallardo receive their 2010 Silver Slugger Awards from Brewers Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

The Silver Slugger Award was instituted by Louisville Slugger in 1980 as a natural extension of the Silver Bat Award, which is – as its name indicates – a silver-plated bat presented by Louisville Slugger to the batting champions in the AL and NL.

–JOHN AND CAIT

johnandcait@brewers.com