Phillies' Utley wins fourth straight Silver Slugger award

POSTED: November 13, 2009

By DAVID MURPHY

dmurphy@phillynews.com

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Gregory Smith/AP

Chase Utley follows through after connecting for a hit in the fifth inning that resulted in a triple.

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Major League Baseball handed out its Silver Slugger awards yesterday.

Surprise - Chase Utley won.

The Phillies' second baseman earned his fourth straight Silver Slugger award, becoming the first second baseman since Ryne Sandberg to achieve that feat.

Utley led all NL second basemen in runs scored (112), on-base percentage (.397), slugging percentage (.510) and extra-base hits (63) and hit 31 home runs.

Utley ranks second in team history in Silver Slugger awards, trailing only Mike Schmidt, who won six. Schmidt also holds the Phillies' record for consecutive awards with five.

Over the last five seasons, Utley has established himself as the NL's pre-eminent offensive second baseman, leading the majors at his position in home runs (146), runs batted in (507), runs scored (553), on-base percentage (.390) and slugging percentage (.538).

The remaining NL award winners: pitcher, Carlos Zambrano (Cubs); catcher, Brian McCann (Braves); first base, Albert Pujols (Cardinals); shortstop, Hanley Ramirez (Marlins); third base, Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals); outfield, Ryan Braun (Brewers), Andre Ethier (Dodgers) and Matt Kemp (Dodgers).

In the American League: designated hitter, Adam Lind (Blue Jays); catcher, Joe Mauer (Twins); first base, Mark Teixeira (Yankees); second base, Aaron Hill (Blue Jays); shortstop, Derek Jeter (Yankees); third base, Evan Longoria (Rays); outfield, Jason Bay (Red Sox), Torii Hunter (Angels) and Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners).

Eyre a free agent

Phillies lefthander Scott Eyre, filed for free agency yesterday.

The Phillies said Eyre had successful surgery Monday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. They also s said they would contact Eyre's agent about a possible return in 2010. Eyre has said he could retire, but if he does not, he only would play for the Phillies.

Eyre was 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in 42 appearances this past season.

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Comments

Posted 03:38 AM, 11/13/2009

Yes Grandson. Some guy who had no heart, they named him McLoser.

Oh, Happy Day!

Posted 07:05 AM, 11/13/2009

VermontPhilsFan

Chase Utley...you are THE MAN! Scott Eyre...glad you're back down to one body...hope to see you in a Phils uniform next season.

Posted 07:24 AM, 11/13/2009

joeolive

Is there a reason for Eyre to file.... he said he was either going to pitch for the Phillies or retire......

Posted 07:45 AM, 11/13/2009

mick314

VPF nailed it.......as usual

Posted 08:03 AM, 11/13/2009

Stuie

@joeolive - it's a procedural thing. A player needs to be a free agent in order to negotiate a contract. Here's hoping they get Eyre back for another year.

Posted 08:34 AM, 11/13/2009

Nickawampus Leroy

When's the parade?????

Posted 08:50 AM, 11/13/2009

Kenny Junod

I would love to have a cold one with scott eyre

Posted 09:15 AM, 11/13/2009

BillytheB

Who can say if he's the best second baseman.....but I wouldn't trade him for anyone. He is a class act.

Posted 10:00 AM, 11/13/2009

ChrisInVT

Utley should be on his fourth straight Gold Glove as well...According to all the best defensive metrics, he's been the best defensive second baseman in baseball in each of the last 4 years also. So let's see...best hitter at the position, best defender at the position...Yeah, I'd say he's the best in baseball.

Posted 10:33 AM, 11/13/2009

marley

I think without a doubt he is the best second baseman both on offence and defence, he could do it all. Next year we should be better then this year because Jroll can't be as bad as he was this year at the plate and i said it before but this off season our left-handed hitters should spend a lot of time having batting practice only againsy leftys until they get better at it especially Howard who if he could hit leftys the sky would be the limit on how high his r.b.i total and hitting % would go.

Posted 10:48 AM, 11/13/2009

kyphilsfant

I'd like to have a cold one with Brett Myers

Posted 11:25 AM, 11/13/2009

Discostu

Utley is the best second baseman in baseball...nobody is better...he's a future hall of famer...and that's not hyperbole...

Posted 11:55 AM, 11/13/2009

taylor/rojas/callison/allen

Great player - one of the best draft picks in Phillies history. I worry Charlie burning him out by late August and I worry about him changing his approach to home run hitter. He was perfect as a low strikeout, line drive hitter.