New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez each won their eighth Silver Slugger awards and Atlanta centerfielder Andruw Jones won for the first time to highlight this year's team. Rodriguez was in the top five in batting average and runs batted in, and he led the American League with 48 home runs. His .321 average was his best since the 1996 season. Rodriguez also knocked in 130 runs this year. Ramirez hit .292 with 45 home runs and 144 RBI this past year. The 45 home runs tied a single-season best for Ramirez, whose strong September helped the Red Sox reach the playoffs, where they were swept by the eventual World Series champion Chicago White Sox in the Division Series one season after they won their own championship. Jones had his best season since starting with the Braves in the 1996 season. Jones, who hit .263, led the majors with 51 home runs, the first player to hit the 50 home run mark since Jim Thome and Rodriguez did it in 2002, and his 128 RBI helped the Braves capture their 14th straight division title. Jones also captured the Hank Aaron Award as the best offensive performer in the National League. Silver Slugger selections are based on a combination of offensive statistics, as well as general impressions of a player's overall offensive value. Major League Baseball coaches and managers voted for a player at each position in the National and American leagues. Managers and coaches were not allowed to vote for a player on their own team. The rest of the American League winners were first baseman Mark Teixeira and second baseman Alfonso Soriano of the Texas Rangers, shortstop Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles, outfielders Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees and Vladimir Guerrero of the LA Angels of Anaheim, catcher Jason Varitek and designated hitter David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. Ortiz also was awarded the Hank Aaron Award for the American League. Sheffield, who hit .291 with 34 home runs and 123 RBI, won the award for the fourth time. Guerrero, who belted 32 home runs to go along with 108 RBI and a .317 batting average, won for the fifth time. The rest of the National League Silver Slugger team consists of Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent, third baseman Morgan Ensberg of the Houston Astros, shortstop Felipe Lopez of the Cincinnati Reds, outfielder Miguel Cabrera of the Florida Marlins, outfielder Carlos Lee of the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, and pitcher Jason Marquis of the St. Louis Cardinals. Kent hit .289 with 29 home runs and 105 RBI to capture his fourth award. Aside from Kent, every winner in the National League was awarded the honor for the first time. The 2004 Silver Bat Award batting champions were Derrek Lee in the NL and Michael Young of the Texas Rangers for the American League. Lee hit .335 to lead the major leagues for the season and Young hit .331 to lead the AL on the year.