That fact was reinforced on Monday, when for the second year in a row, first baseman Mark Teixeira and second baseman Alfonso Soriano were named to the American League Silver Slugger Team.

Teixeira had a robust year at the plate in 2005 while making the All-Star team for the first time. The switch-hitter led the American League in total bases (370) and ranked among the AL leaders in games (T1st, 162), home runs (4th, 43), extra-base hits (2nd, 87), RBIs (T2nd, 144) and on-base percentage (10th, .379).

Teixeira, who had a .301 batting average, set a club record for home runs and RBIs as a first baseman and established a Major League record for RBIs in a season by a switch-hitter. He was twice named the AL Player of the Week.

"There's a ton of room for me to grow," said the 25-year-old Teixeira. "I'm still working on a lot of things and trying to get better."

Soriano arrived at Spring Training questioning whether his health would allow him to have a big year offensively. Coming off a torn tendon in his left hamstring the previous September, Soriano ran tentatively until gradually regaining full confidence in his leg.

Soriano, who was honored with his third Silver Slugger Award, ranked among the AL leaders in extra-base hits (T3rd, 81), doubles (4th, 43), stolen bases (6th, 30), home runs (7th, 36) and total bases (7th, 326). He led all Major League second basemen in homers and RBIs, setting a club record for the position in both categories.

2005 Silver Slugger Award winners
American League		National League
1B - Mark Teixeira, TEX 2B - Alfonso Soriano, TEX 3B - Alex Rodriguez, NYY SS - Miguel Tejada, BAL OF - Vladimir Guerrero, LAA OF - Manny Ramirez, BOS OF - Gary Sheffield, NYY C   - Jason Varitek, BOS DH - David Ortiz, BOS		1B - Derrek Lee, CHC 2B - Jeff Kent, LAD 3B - Morgan Ensberg, HOU SS - Felipe Lopez, CIN OF - Andruw Jones, ATL OF - Miguel Cabrera, FLA OF - Carlos Lee, MIL C   - Michael Barrett, CHC P   - Jason Marquis, STL
Complete 2005 coverage | All time winners >

Soriano also was the first player in Rangers history with at least 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in a season, and he was the only player in the Major Leagues to register a 30-30 season in 2005. Soriano made a fourth consecutive All-Star appearance.

"I didn't know I'd have that kind of year because I wasn't sure how many games I'd be able to play the way my leg was," Soriano said. "I'm so happy that my leg came around."

A representative for the Hillerich & Bradsby Co., will present the specially designed Silver Slugger awards to Teixeira and Soriano in a ceremony early in the 2006 season.

The winners of the Silver Slugger Awards are determined by Major League Baseball managers and coaches.