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David Ortiz gets another Silver Slugger as parting gift

By The Sports Xchange
Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz reacts on third base after Mookie Betts drives in 2 runs with a double in the 8th inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City on September 28, 2016. With a win the Red Sox will clinch the American League East Division. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz reacts on third base after Mookie Betts drives in 2 runs with a double in the 8th inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City on September 28, 2016. With a win the Red Sox will clinch the American League East Division. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Retired Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz added another trophy Thursday to his iconic career by capturing his seventh Silver Slugger award to honor the top hitters at each position.

Managers and coaches could not vote for anyone on their teams and Ortiz won the award for being the most productive designated hitter during the final season of his career.

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Ortiz extended his mark for Silver Sluggers at designated hitter after completing a highly productive season as a 40-year-old. His 38 home runs, 127 RBIs and 48 doubles were the most among anyone 40 years or older in his last season and his OPS of 1.021 was the best among designated hitters.

Ortiz won the award for the first time in 2004 after helping the Red Sox end an 86-year championship drought. He won it from 2005 through 2007 as well as 2011 and 2013 when the Red Sox won their third title in his career.

Ortiz matched Detroit's Miguel Cabrera for the most Silver Sluggers. He was joined by two teammates Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts, who won the award at shortstop and outfield, respectively.

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In the American League, other first time winners were Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo, who hit 47 home runs.

Other winners were Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who won his fifth Silver Slugger.

The World Series champion Chicago Cubs had two winners as first baseman Anthony Rizzo won it over Cincinnati's Joey Votto, and right-hander Jake Arrieta also won the award. Rizzo led all National League first baseman with 109 RBIs and Arrieta ended Madison Bumgarner's two-year reign after hitting .262.

Other first-time winners in the National League were Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos and teammate Daniel Murphy at second base as well as Los Angeles Dodgers rookie shortstop Corey Seager. The outfield also consisted of three first-time winners in Colorado's Charlie Blackmon, Miami's Christian Yelich and New York's Yoenis Cespedes.

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Colorado's Nolan Arenado also claimed his second straight award at third base after his 41 home runs led the NL for the second straight season.

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