Rodriguez highlights Silver Slugger award recipients

Nov 10, 2007 - 12:30 AM LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Who says Alex Rodriguez doesn't come through in the postseason.

Rodriguez highlights the 18 players named to the Silver Slugger team for 2007.

A two-time AL MVP, Rodriguez was awarded his ninth trophy which is tied for third all-time with Barry Larkin and Manny Ramirez.

The award, which is determined by a vote of MLB coaches and managers, is given to those players who are felt to be the best offensive producers at each position in both leagues in a season.

Rodriguez tops a list of three New York Yankees on the 2007 list. Derek Jeter wins his second straight trophy at shortstop while catcher Jorge Posada earned his fifth, but first since 2003.

David Ortiz of the World Champion Boston Red Sox is the Silver Slugger winner at designated hitter for the fourth straight season while Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim rightfielder Vladimir Guerrero has also won four straight and seven Silver Sluggers overall.

Joining Guerrero in the American League outfield is three-time winner Magglio Ordonez of the Detroit Tigers and twice awarded Ichiro Suzuki of the Settle Mariners. Ordonez won his first two with the Chicago White Sox and Ichiro owns one from his rookie year in 2001.

The only two first-time winners in the AL were first baseman Carlos Pena of Tampa Bay and Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco. Pena became the first Rays player to be awarded the Silver Slugger.

Over in the National League, no player has more than two Silver Slugger Awards to their name.

The battery of Micah Owings of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Russell Martin of the Los Angeles Dodgers leads things off in the senior circuit. Owings impressed the voters by hitting .333 with four home runs and 15 RBI during the season.

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins at second and short respectively, and New York Mets third baseman David Wright round out the infield.

The National League outfield is comprised of Colorado Rockies leftfielder Matt Holliday, Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran and the Houston Astros Carlos Lee. The outfield trio are all repeat winners as is Utley, who won his first last year.