Derek Jeter won his first Silver Slugger Award in 2006.
Jeter received the award as the American League’s Silver Slugger shortstop while playing for the New York Yankees. The Silver Slugger honors the best offensive player at each position in each league, making the award a recognition of Jeter’s hitting rather than his defensive work.
His 2006 season was one of the strongest of his career. Jeter batted .343, finished second in American League MVP voting, and helped the Yankees win the American League East. He was also selected for the All-Star Game and won the Hank Aaron Award.
The 2006 Silver Slugger was the first of five Jeter earned during his career. He won again in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2012. He also won five Gold Glove Awards, but those honor defensive excellence. Jeter retired after the 2014 season and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 with 396 of 397 votes.