Rodriguez heads Silver Slugger winners

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez claimed his ninth Silver Slugger Award Friday, highlighting the presentation of baseball's top offensive honors.

Rodriguez, who has become a free agent after opting out of his contract with the New York Yankees, hit 54 homers, drove in 156 runs and batted .314 in 2007.

Only Barry Bonds (12) and Mike Piazza (10) have more Silver Sluggers than Rodriguez.

Six players who won Gold Glove awards this week also collected a Silver Slugger honor. They were Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki; Detroit second baseman Placido Polanco; Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin; and two members of the New York Mets -- outfielder Carlos Beltran and third baseman David Wright.

Other Silver Slugger winners in the American League were outfielders Vladimir Guerrero of the LA Angels and Magglio Ordonez of the Tigers; shortstop Derek Jeter of the Yankees; Tampa Bay first baseman Carlos Pena; Boston designated hitter David Ortiz; and Yankees catcher Jorge Posada.

In the National League, the other winners were outfielders Matt Holliday of the Rockies and Carlos Lee of the Astros; first baseman Prince Fielder of the Brewers; second baseman Chase Utley of the Phillies; and Arizona pitcher Micah Owings.