MLB Most Valuable Player Award
From Academic Kids
In the game of baseball , both amateur and professional, it is tradition to annually recognize the one player in the league who has contributed the most to the success of the player's team.
In the United States , the awarding of the Most Valuable Player Award (or MVP ) in Major League Baseball has changed hands several times but since the 1930s has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America .
A tally example of the 1999 American League Most Valuable Player Award can be found here (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/1999/11/18/almvp_voting/ ) that uses the Borda count voting method.
Chalmers Award (1911-1914)
The Chalmers Automobile Company awarded an automobile in 1910 to the batting average leader in each league. This led to a contoversy in the American League; Ty Cobb and Nap Lajoie entered the final day of the season neck-and-neck. St. Louis , playing Lajoie's Cleveland team, played their infield back, allowing Lajoie to beat out seven bunt singles in a doubleheader and win the title. In the ensuing debacle, Chalmers awarded automobiles to both players. (The question of who really won the batting title is still debated.)
For 1911 , the Chalmers Company decided that batting average was too narrow a focus for an award. The Chalmers Award was the first attempt to recognize a player for overall contributions to his team's success — hence the designation Most Valuable rather than "player of the year", a distinction which remains today.
Year
American League
National League
1911 Ty Cobb , Detroit Tigers , OF
Wildfire Schulte , Chicago Cubs , OF
1912
Tris Speaker , Boston Red Sox , OF
Larry Doyle , New York Giants , 2B
1913
Walter Johnson , Washington Senators , P
Jake Daubert , Brooklyn Dodgers , 1B
1914
Eddie Collins , Philadelphia Athletics , 2B
Johnny Evers , Boston Braves , 2B
League Awards (1922-1929)
In the 1920s the leagues awarded MVP titles, but limited the ballot options to one player per team, which led to there being no National League MVP in 1922 or 1923 . A League Award could also be won by a player only once, leading to unusual results like Babe Ruth 's 1927 (one of the greatest offensive seasons of all time) not being eligible for the award. The rule was changed in time for Rogers Hornsby to become the first man to win two MVP awards, in 1929 .
Year
American League
National League
1922
George Sisler , St Louis Browns , 1B
No winner
1923
Babe Ruth , New York Yankees , OF
No winner
1924
Walter Johnson , Washington Senators , P
Dazzy Vance , Brooklyn Dodgers , P
1925
Roger Peckinpaugh , Washington Senators , SS
Rogers Hornsby , St. Louis Cardinals , 2B
1926
George Burns , Cleveland Indians , 1B
Bob O'Farrell , St. Louis Cardinals , C
1927
Lou Gehrig , New York Yankees , 1B
Paul Waner , Pittsburgh Pirates , OF
1928
Mickey Cochrane , Philadelphia Athletics , C
Jim Bottomley , St. Louis Cardinals , 1B
1929 No winner
Rogers Hornsby , Chicago Cubs , 2B
BBWAA Awards (1931-present)
In 1931 , the Baseball Writers Association of America began awarding the Most Valuable Player trophy.
In 1956 the Cy Young Award was first given to the best pitcher in Major League Baseball (the current practice of honoring the best pitcher in each league did not begin until 1967 ). After that, the belief arose that the Most Valuable Player ought to be a position player, since pitchers had their own award. On occasion, though, pitchers still win the award, and the current rules for the MVP specifically state that pitchers are to be considered.
Year
American League
National League
1931
Lefty Grove , Philadelphia Athletics , P
Frankie Frisch , St. Louis Cardinals , 2B
1932
Jimmie Foxx , Philadelphia Athletics , 1B
Chuck Klein , Philadelphia Phillies , OF
1933
Jimmie Foxx , Philadelphia Athletics , 1B
Carl Hubbell , New York Giants , P
1934
Mickey Cochrane , Detroit Tigers , C
Dizzy Dean , St Louis Cardinals , P
1935
Hank Greenberg †, Detroit Tigers , 1B
Gabby Hartnett , Chicago Cubs , C
1936
Lou Gehrig , New York Yankees , 1B
Carl Hubbell , New York Giants , P
1937
Charlie Gehringer , Detroit Tigers , 2B
Joe Medwick , St Louis Cardinals , OF
1938
Jimmie Foxx , Boston Red Sox , 1B
Ernie Lombardi , Cincinnati Reds , C
1939
Joe DiMaggio , New York Yankees , OF
Bucky Walters , Cincinnati Reds , P
1940
Hank Greenberg , Detroit Tigers , OF
Frank McCormick , Cincinnati Reds , 1B
1941
Joe DiMaggio , New York Yankees , OF
Dolph Camilli , Brooklyn Dodgers , 1B
1942
Joe Gordon , New York Yankees , 2B
Mort Cooper , St Louis Cardinals , P
1943
Spud Chandler , New York Yankees , P
Stan Musial , St Louis Cardinals , OF
1944
Hal Newhouser , Detroit Tigers , P
Marty Marion , St Louis Cardinals , SS
1945
Hal Newhouser , Detroit Tigers , P
Phil Cavarretta , Chicago Cubs , 1B
1946
Ted Williams , Boston Red Sox , OF
Stan Musial , St. Louis Cardinals , 1B
1947
Joe DiMaggio , New York Yankees , OF
Bob Elliott , Boston Braves , 3B
1948
Lou Boudreau , Cleveland Indians , SS
Stan Musial , St. Louis Cardinals , OF
1949
Ted Williams , Boston Red Sox , OF
Jackie Robinson , Brooklyn Dodgers , 2B
1950
Phil Rizzuto , New York Yankees , SS
Jim Konstanty , Philadelphia Phillies , P
1951
Yogi Berra , New York Yankees , C
Roy Campanella , Brooklyn Dodgers , C
1952
Bobby Shantz , Philadelphia Athletics , P
Hank Sauer , Chicago Cubs , OF
1953
Al Rosen †, Cleveland Indians , 3B
Roy Campanella , Brooklyn Dodgers , C
1954
Yogi Berra , New York Yankees , C
Willie Mays , New York Giants , OF
1955
Yogi Berra , New York Yankees , C
Roy Campanella , Brooklyn Dodgers , C
1956
Mickey Mantle †, New York Yankees , OF
Don Newcombe , Brooklyn Dodgers , P
1957
Mickey Mantle , New York Yankees , OF
Hank Aaron , Milwaukee Braves , OF
1958
Jackie Jensen , Boston Red Sox , OF
Ernie Banks , Chicago Cubs , SS
1959
Nellie Fox , Chicago White Sox , 2B
Ernie Banks , Chicago Cubs , SS
1960
Roger Maris , New York Yankees , OF
Dick Groat , Pittsburgh Pirates , SS
1961
Roger Maris , New York Yankees , OF
Frank Robinson , Cincinnati Reds , OF
1962
Mickey Mantle , New York Yankees , OF
Maury Wills , Los Angeles Dodgers , SS
1963
Elston Howard , New York Yankees , C
Sandy Koufax , Los Angeles Dodgers , P
1964
Brooks Robinson , Baltimore Orioles , 3B
Ken Boyer , St Louis Cardinals , 3B
1965
Zoilo Versalles , Minnesota Twins , SS
Willie Mays , San Francisco Giants , OF
1966
Frank Robinson †, Baltimore Orioles , OF
Roberto Clemente , Pittsburgh Pirates , OF
1967
Carl Yastrzemski , Boston Red Sox , OF
Orlando Cepeda †, St Louis Cardinals , 1B
1968
Denny McLain †, Detroit Tigers , P
Bob Gibson , St Louis Cardinals , P
1969
Harmon Killebrew , Minnesota Twins , 3B
Willie McCovey , San Francisco Giants , 1B
1970
Boog Powell , Baltimore Orioles , 1B
Johnny Bench , Cincinnati Reds , C
1971
Vida Blue , Oakland Athletics , P
Joe Torre , St Louis Cardinals , 3B
1972
Dick Allen , Chicago White Sox , 1B
Johnny Bench , Cincinnati Reds , C
1973
Reggie Jackson †, Oakland Athletics , OF
Pete Rose , Cincinnati Reds , OF
1974
Jeff Burroughs , Texas Rangers , OF
Steve Garvey , Los Angeles Dodgers , 1B
1975
Fred Lynn , Boston Red Sox , OF
Joe Morgan , Cincinnati Reds , 2B
1976
Thurman Munson , New York Yankees , C
Joe Morgan , Cincinnati Reds , 2B
1977
Rod Carew , Minnesota Twins , 1B
George Foster , Cincinnati Reds , OF
1978
Jim Rice , Boston Red Sox , OF
Dave Parker , Pittsburgh Pirates , OF
1979
Don Baylor , California Angels , DH
Keith Hernandez , St. Louis Cardinals , 1BWillie Stargell , Pittsburgh Pirates , 1B
1980
George Brett , Kansas City Royals , 3B
Mike Schmidt †, Philadelphia Phillies , 3B
1981
Rollie Fingers , Milwaukee Brewers , P
Mike Schmidt , Philadelphia Phillies , 3B
1982
Robin Yount , Milwaukee Brewers , SS
Dale Murphy , Atlanta Braves , OF
1983
Cal Ripken, Jr. , Baltimore Orioles , SS
Dale Murphy , Atlanta Braves , OF
1984
Willie Hernandez , Detroit Tigers , P
Ryne Sandberg , Chicago Cubs , 2B
1985
Don Mattingly , New York Yankees , 1B
Willie McGee , St. Louis Cardinals , OF
1986
Roger Clemens , Boston Red Sox , P
Mike Schmidt , Philadelphia Phillies , 3B
1987
George Bell , Toronto Blue Jays , OF
Andre Dawson , Chicago Cubs , OF
1988
Jose Canseco †, Oakland Athletics , OF
Kirk Gibson , Los Angeles Dodgers , OF
1989
Robin Yount , Milwaukee Brewers , OF
Kevin Mitchell , San Francisco Giants , OF
1990
Rickey Henderson , Oakland Athletics , OF
Barry Bonds , Pittsburgh Pirates , OF
1991
Cal Ripken, Jr. , Baltimore Orioles , SS
Terry Pendleton , Atlanta Braves , 3B
1992
Dennis Eckersley , Oakland Athletics , P
Barry Bonds , Pittsburgh Pirates , OF
1993
Frank Thomas †, Chicago White Sox , 1B
Barry Bonds , San Francisco Giants , OF
1994
Frank Thomas , Chicago White Sox , 1B
Jeff Bagwell †, Houston Astros , 1B
1995
Mo Vaughn , Boston Red Sox , 1B
Barry Larkin , Cincinnati Reds , SS
1996
Juan Gonzalez , Texas Rangers , OF
Ken Caminiti †, San Diego Padres , 3B
1997
Ken Griffey, Jr. †, Seattle Mariners , OF
Larry Walker , Colorado Rockies , OF
1998
Juan Gonzalez , Texas Rangers , OF
Sammy Sosa , Chicago Cubs , OF
1999
Iván Rodríguez , Texas Rangers , C
Chipper Jones , Atlanta Braves , 3B
2000
Jason Giambi , Oakland Athletics , 1B
Jeff Kent , San Francisco Giants , 2B
2001
Ichiro Suzuki , Seattle Mariners , OF
Barry Bonds , San Francisco Giants , OF
2002
Miguel Tejada , Oakland Athletics , SS
Barry Bonds †, San Francisco Giants , OF
2003
Alex Rodriguez , Texas Rangers , SS
Barry Bonds , San Francisco Giants , OF
2004
Vladimir Guerrero , Anaheim Angels , OF
Barry Bonds , San Francisco Giants , OF
†Denotes unanimous decision.
Navigation
Information
Home Page (http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php )
New Articles (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Special:Newpages )
Contact Us (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Contactus )
Academic Kids Menu
Art and Cultures (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Art_and_Cultures )
Art (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Art )
Architecture (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Architecture )
Cultures (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Cultures )
Music (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Music )
Musical Instruments (http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/List_of_musical_instruments )
Biographies (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Biographies )
Clipart (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Clipart )
Geography (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Geography )
Countries of the World (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Countries )
Maps (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Maps )
Flags (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Flags )
Continents (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Continents )
History (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/History )
Ancient Civilizations (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Ancient_Civilizations )
Industrial Revolution (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Industrial_Revolution )
Middle Ages (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Middle_Ages )
Prehistory (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Prehistory )
Renaissance (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Renaissance )
Timelines (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Timelines )
United States (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/United_States )
Wars (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Wars )
World History (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/History_of_the_world )
Human Body (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Human_Body )
Mathematics (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Mathematics )
Reference (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Reference )
Science (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Science )
Animals (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Animals )
Aviation (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Aviation )
Dinosaurs (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Dinosaurs )
Earth (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Earth )
Inventions (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Inventions )
Physical Science (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Physical_Science )
Plants (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Plants )
Scientists (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Scientists )
Social Studies (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Social_Studies )
Anthropology (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Anthropology )
Economics (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Economics )
Government (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Government )
Religion (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Religion )
Holidays (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Holidays )
Space and Astronomy (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Space_and_Astronomy )
Solar System (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Solar_System )
Planets (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Planets )
Sports (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Sports )
Timelines (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Timelines )
Weather (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Weather )
US States (http://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/US_States )
Advertisement