LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard Friday was a first-time winner of Major League Baseball's Silver Slugger Award.
In his second season, Howard led the majors with 58 home runs, while batting .313 and knocking in 149 runs.
He was joined on the National League unit by teammate Chase Utley at second base, Atlanta catcher Brian McCann, Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera, New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano. The outfielders are Alfonso Soriano (Washington), Carlos Beltran (Mets) and Matt Holliday (Colorado).
Utley batted .309 with 32 home runs, and McCann hit .333 with 24 home runs. Cabrera hit .339 with 26 homers and 114 RBI, and Soriano batted .277 with 46 homers and 95 RBI as a lead-off hitter.
Holliday hit .324 with 34 homers and 114 RBI, and Beltran hit 41 homers. Reyes hit .300 with 19 home runs and 81 RBI, and Zambrano led all pitchers with six homers.
