Monday, August 15, 2011

Two Former Sluggers Retire

As we start our 15th season, the two Silver Slugger 3rd basemen from Season 5 both announced their retirements today.

David Rushford was one of the most feared sluggers for the first seven years of the league. He made an immediate splash in Philadelphia (later Washington), hitting 44 homers in season 1 despite starting the season in AAA. In his five big league seasons in Philadelphia/Washington he amassed an incredible 251 homers before moving on to Fargo and had two more big-time seasons before slowing down. He finishes his career with a .272 average, 460 homers, and 1126 RBI. Despite only playing 5 seasons with the Washington franchise he still holds the team records for HRs and RBI and has 4 of the top 5 single season home run totals. His HOF candidacy is already being debated.

Brook Teut is not likely to be taken seriously as a Hall of Fame candidate (and shouldn't be), but he was a good hitter in his day. Teut topped the 30 HR plateau four times and drove in more than 100 runs three times. His .269-34-119 season for Jackson in season 5 earned him a Silver Slugger award at 3B (Rushford was the NL winner that season) and an All-Star appearance. Teut retires with 259 homers and 914 RBI.

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