Nov. 4, 2005
ATLANTA – Former Georgia Tech stars Mark Teixeira of the Texas Rangers and Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox earned both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards from Major League Baseball following the completion of the 2005 seasons.
The Gold Glove Award is given to the top defensive player at each position in each league as voted on by managers and coaches. Teixeira and Varitek each earned their first Gold Glove Awards in 2005. Teixeira committed just three errors in 1,358 innings during the 2005 season, while Varitek was rewarded for his on-field leadership and his .990 fielding percentage.
The Silver Slugger Award is presented to the top offensive player at each position in each league. Teixeira won the award for the second straight season, while Varitek was recognized for the first time.
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.
Varitek, who was named captain of the Red Sox prior to the season, hit .281 with 30 doubles, 22 homers and 70 RBIs and was voted as a starter in the All-Star Game.
Both Teixeira (2000) and Varitek (1994) earned National Player of the Year Awards while playing at Georgia Tech.
