Willingham honored following big '12 season

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins left fielder Josh Willingham was honored before Sunday's game against the Rangers for winning the Silver Slugger Award last season.

Willingham hit .260 with a career-high 35 homers and 110 RBIs that year, his first with the Twins, en route to winning his first career Silver Slugger Award.

"It's deservedly so," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We thought he should've been an All-Star last year. But he didn't get picked, which was a big disappointment for our organization and him I'm sure. But he had a great year and did everything he was supposed to do when we brought him over here. So it's well-deserved."

Willingham also leads the Twins with four homers this season, including two against the Rangers this series. With his two-run shot Saturday, he passed Jim Thome for the most homers in Target Field history with 25. "I think it's pretty neat," Willingham said.