Well hey, more good news. Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes have each won AL Silver Slugger Awards, given annually to the top offensive player at each position by Louisville Slugger. The awards are voted on by four members of each club’s coaching staff. Not only is this the first time either Brantley (who is also an AL MVP finalist) or Gomes have won a Silver Slugger, it’s the first time since 2000 that the Indians have had two players win one. I’m glad to see both of them get this well-deserved recognition.
The Silver Slugger Award was established in 1980. I’ve included a list of all the Cleveland Indians who’ve won. It’s something of a trip down Memory Lane on a rainy November night.
Andre Thornton, DH, 1984
Julio Franco, 2B, 1988
Carlos Baerga, 2B, 1993
Albert Belle, OF, 1994
Albert Belle, OF, 1995
Manny Ramirez, OF, 1995
Albert Belle, OF, 1996
Jim Thome, 3B, 1996
Matt Williams, 3B, 1997
David Justice, OF, 1997
Roberto Alomar, 2B, 1999
Manny Ramirez, OF, 1999
Roberto Alomar, 2B, 2000
Manny Ramirez, OF, 2000
Juan Gonzalez, OF, 2001
Victor Martinez, C, 2004
Grady Sizemore, OF, 2008
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, 2011
Michael Brantley, OF, 2014
Yan Gomes, C, 2014