1994 Silver Slugger Award — Highest Batting Average in Award History

1994 Silver Slugger Award honoring Tony Gwynn’s brilliance at the plate during one of the most memorable seasons in modern baseball history. Presented annually by Hillerich & Bradsby Co. to the best offensive players at each position, the Silver Slugger is among the game’s most coveted awards. Gwynn earned his place on the National League’s Silver Slugger team after batting .394 in 1994—a mark that not only remains the highest single-season average in MLB since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941, but also stands as the highest ever achieved by a Silver Slugger recipient.

The plaque on this award lists Gwynn alongside fellow offensive standouts Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Matt Williams, Barry Bonds, Moises Alou, Will Cordero, and Mark Portugal—underscoring his standing among the elite. Even in a strike-shortened season, Gwynn’s relentless consistency and mastery of bat control were unmatched, cementing his reputation as one of baseball’s greatest pure hitters.

This Silver Slugger represents not just a single season of excellence, but a career defined by precision, dedication, and the art of hitting.

Disclaimer:

Condition may vary slightly from photos, with unique marks that highlight the award’s authenticity as a career artifact.

This item features a silver OVD, verifying its authenticity through the Tony Gwynn Estate. A TRuEST™ authenticator was not on-site to witness its awarding, which is why this item does not carry our gold-level witness-based authentication OVD.

Part of Eternal All-Star, a collection honoring Tony Gwynn’s 15 All-Star appearances with awards, milestone baseballs, game-used gear, and personal keepsakes. This event is the latest chapter in The Realest’s official Tony Gwynn Auction Series following First Inning and Silver Bats, with every piece coming directly from the Gwynn family ensuring true provenance and a direct link to “Mr. Padre” himself.