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11/12/2009 7:23 PM ET
Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano wins 2009 National League Silver Slugger Award
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CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano today earned a 2009 National League Silver Slugger award as voted upon by league managers and coaches. The honor is presented annually by Louisville Slugger to the best offensive players at each position in each league.
Zambrano is now a three-time winner of the Silver Slugger award, also earning the honor in 2006 and 2008. He is one of three Cubs in franchise history to earn at least three Silver Sluggers, joining Ryne Sandberg (seven times at second base) and Sammy Sosa (six times as an outfielder). Zambrano is the only pitcher in club history to earn this honor.
Zambrano's three Silver Slugger awards are tied for third-most among pitchers with Rick Rhoden and Don Robinson since its inception in 1980. Mike Hampton has earned the honor five times while Tom Glavine has won the award four times. Zambrano is the first pitcher to earn consecutive honors since Hampton received the award five-straight seasons from 1999-2003.
In 2009, Zambrano led Major League pitchers with four home runs and nine extra-base hits while his five doubles and 11 RBI were both tied for the major-league lead among hurlers. The switch-hitting Zambrano, who batted .217 (15-for-69), posted a .464 slugging percentage, second-highest among pitchers with at least 50 at-bats (Micah Owings, .537).
In 2008, Zambrano became the first pitcher in Major League history to win a Silver Slugger and throw a no-hitter in the same season, as he no-hit the Houston Astros on September 14 at Miller Park. He is one of two pitchers to own multiple Silver Slugger awards and toss a no-hitter, as Fernando Valenzuela twice earned the honor (1981, 1983) and added a no-hitter in 1990.
The 28-year-old Zambrano already owns the franchise record with 20 career home runs by a pitcher, far surpassing the previous mark of 13 blasts by Fergie Jenkins. Zambrano has 47 career extra-base hits, second-most by a pitcher in club annals, trailing only Charlie Root's 64 extra-base hits from 1926-1941.
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