In late September, with only a few games remaining in the regular season, I wrote a column that highlighted Alexei Ramirez’s outstanding season at shortstop for the Chicago White Sox.  More importantly, I contended that he should be the recipient of the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop.  However, after Tuesday’s disconcerting announcement that Derek Jeter had won the Gold Glove over Alexei Ramirez, I became perturbed by the thought that the Rawlings Silver Slugger Award might ultimately be just another popularity contest.

Thankfully, logic prevailed on Thursday as Ramirez was awarded the first Louisville Silver Slugger Award of his career, ending Jeter’s four-year stranglehold over the honor.

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