In Major League Baseball history, there has never been an award to honor the best overall offensive clubs in the National and American League, but that void will be filled at the end of the 2023 season when Louisville Slugger presents the first-ever Silver Slugger Team Award, an extension of its awards which have annually honored individual players since 1980.
The Silver Slugger Team Awards winners will be determined through a calculation of offensive statistics and a vote of fans. Louisville Slugger announced the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners as finalists in their respective leagues.
Fan voting began Monday morning on MLB.com. Voting remains open until 8:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, Oct. 1, the final day of the 2023 MLB regular season.
Silver Slugger Team Award winners in the National and American Leagues will be revealed on MLB Network on November 9, along with the individual player awards.
Louisville Slugger is also going to award one lucky voter with a trip for two to a Major League ballpark early in the 2024 season where they will go on field and present a player with his 2023 Silver Slugger Award.
“The game is only as strong as its fanbase – and being able to include fans in deciding who wins this prestigious award is incredibly exciting,” Louisville Slugger marketing manager Jake Misener said in a statement. “For decades, the Silver Slugger has represented the pinnacle of individual offensive achievements and we cannot wait to do the same for the teams.”
The fan who wins the trip for two to present a Silver Slugger Award will also be announced on MLB Network. Louisville Slugger plans to continue offering the chance for fans to present a Silver Slugger Award going forward.
“Winning a Silver Slugger Award is the ultimate for big league hitters, and winning the opportunity to step on a Major League field to present a Silver Slugger Award to an MLB star is the ultimate prize for a fan,” Misener said. “It is a priceless and unforgettable experience that only Louisville Slugger and Major League Baseball can offer.”
This is the second consecutive year Louisville Slugger has expanded Silver Slugger Awards. In 2022, they added utility player awards to honor the top hitters who play multiple positions. Luis Arraez of the Minnesota Twins and Brandon Drury of the San Diego Padres were the inaugural winners.
About the Silver Slugger awards
Louisville Slugger established the Silver Slugger Awards in 1980 to recognize the most outstanding offensive player at each position in both leagues, which makes 2023 the 44th season of its existence.
Individual player awards are determined by a vote of opposing managers and coaches taking into consideration hitters’ statistical performances throughout the season as well as their overall offensive value. Each MLB team receives four votes per position in their league. Managers and coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their own team.
Silver Slugger Team Awards start at the end of the 2023 season and are determined through a combination of offensive statistics and a vote of fans. All Silver Slugger winners are announced annually in a special telecast on MLB Network.
The awards are displayed at Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory in Louisville, Kentucky, from November through February, before shipping them to MLB clubs for on-field presentations at the start of the next season.
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