Yankees 2B Robinson Cano and SS Derek Jeter honored with 2012 Silver Slugger Awards

Earlier tonight, Louisville Slugger announced that New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Derek Jeter were recipients of 2012 American League Silver Slugger Awards, marking the seventh time in the last eight seasons that multiple Yankees have received the honor in the same year. The Yankees were one of three teams to win more than one award this year, along with Detroit and Washington.

For Cano, it marks his fourth career Silver Slugger Award, and third straight (also 2006). Cano becomes the first Yankee to win Silver Sluggers in three consecutive seasons since shortstop Derek Jeter won four straight awards from 2006-09, and just the fifth Yankee overall to accomplish the feat since the award was first presented in 1980 (also Dave Winfield, 1981-85; Don Mattingly, 1985-87; and Jorge Posada, 2000-03). His four Silver Sluggers match the most for any American League second baseman (also Roberto Alomar, Julio Franco and Lou Whitaker), and only Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg (a seven-time winner) has more among Major League second basemen.

Cano batted .313 (196-for-627) with 105R, 48 doubles, 33HR and 94RBI in 161 games in 2012, tying his career high in doubles (also 2009) and establishing a career high in home runs. Cano led all Major League second basemen in games played (161), hits (196), doubles (48), home runs (33), RBI (94) and batting average (.313), and tied the Rangers’ Ian Kinsler for most runs among Major League second basemen (105).

For Jeter, it marks his fifth career Silver Slugger Award, after also taking the honor in four straight years from 2006-09. Among American League shortstops, only Cal Ripken Jr. (eight) and teammate Alex Rodriguez (seven) have won the award more times since its inception in 1980. Jeter is the only Yankees shortstop to ever win a Silver Slugger Award.

The Yankees shortstop hit .316 (216-for-683) with 99R, 32 doubles, 15HR and 58RBI in 159 games in 2012, marking the most hits in the Majors this past season and his second-most hits in a single season (219H in 1999). Jeter also ranked among AL leaders in at-bats (first), average (fifth) and runs (ninth). He also tied Miguel Cabrera for the most multi-hit games (64) in the Majors.