The Silver Slugger is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each fielding position in each major league in baseball (plus designated hitter in the AL). The award began in 1980 and is given by Hillerich & Bradsby, the maker of Louisville Slugger bats. It can be thought of as the offensive counterpart to the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The winners are decided by a vote of all MLB managers and coaches, who are not allowed to vote for players on their own teams.