MVP

How It Began

Baseball's Most Valuable Player Award had a rather odd origin. Hugh Chalmers, president of the Chalmers Motor Company, announced in 1910 that he would present one of his company's automobiles to the player who had the highest batting average in the major leagues that season.

As the end of the season approached, the only contestants for the car were two American Leaguers, Ty Cobb of Detroit and Napoleon Lajoie of Cleveland. The race resulted in a controversy bordering on scandal. Cobb led, .383 to .376 with one day left. He didn't play in Detroit's final game. But Lajoie collected seven bunt singles and went 8 for 8 in a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns, apparently winning the prize.

The reason Lajoie got those bunt hits was that the St. Louis third baseman had been ordered by his manager, Jack O'Connor, to play deep. O'Connor was fired and it was then announced that Cobb had won the batting title because of a discrepancy in records reported earlier in the season.

Chalmers tried to sidestep the controversy by awarding a car to each man. He then announced a different kind of contest for 1911, with a car to be presented to the player in each league who was selected by a panel of sportswriters as "the most important and useful player to his club."

The Chalmers Awards were given annually through 1914. The idea then died out until 1922, when the American League Trophy was instituted for the player "of greatest all-around service to his club." One sportswriter in each AL city was chosen to vote on the award. There were some pecularities in the voting rules. A writer had to pick one player from each team and rank them from first to eighth on his ballot. Playing managers and previous winners were excluded.

The National League established a similar award, with a cash prize of $1,000, in 1924. However, voters were allowed to list ten players from any teams. Playing managers and previous winners were eligible for the award.

The Writers Take Over

The AL discontinued its award after 1928 and the NL followed suit after the 1929 season. However, the idea just wouldn't go away. Beginning with the 1931 season, the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) appointed a committee for each league to select a most valuable player--the first time that phrase was actually used.

Originally, the BBWAA committees had one sportswriter from each league city. That was increased to three in 1938 and reduced to two in 1961.

Each writer can name up to ten players. The player getting a first-place vote receives 14 points, a second-place vote counts 9 points, and a 10th-place vote is worth 1 point.

Two chief issues have arisen over MVP voting at various times. The biggest bone of contention has been whether a pitcher should ever be MVP, especially since the Cy Young Award was established in 1956. Some argue that a player who appears in a relatively small number of games can't be as valuable to his team as an everyday player. However, the BBWAA rules specifically include pitchers.

The selection of a player from a losing team has also been questioned, most recently when Andre Dawson won the 1987 National League MVP Award with the Chicago Cubs, who finished sixth and last in their division that year. Many critics feel that the award should go to a player with a winning team and preferably to someone on a pennant winner. They argue, with some justice, that a player couldn't have been very valuable to his team if the team finished low in the standings.

There's often some criticism from writers and fans of specific selections. On a few occasions, the criticism has been widespread. For example, Boston's Ted Williams, who was generally unpopular with sportswriters, was passed over twice when he won the triple crown, in 1942 and 1947.

The choice of Joe Dimaggio over Williams as American League MVP in 1947 could be, and was, defended. But the 1942 winner was Yankee second baseman Joe Gordon, who finished well behind Williams in every important offensive category except stolen bases. Reportedly, a Boston writer who was feuding with Williams left him off the ballot entirely.

Incidentally, although it's rarely mentioned, baseball's Most Valuable Players receive the Kenesaw Mountain Landis Trophy. The trophy, named for baseball's first commissioner, was established by the BBWAA in 1945.

National League Winners

Chalmers Award

1911 Wildfire Schulte, CHI OF

1912 Larry Doyle, NY 2B

1913 Jake Daubert, BKN 1B

1914 Johnny Evers, BOS 2B

League Awards

1922 No selection

1923 No selection

1924 Dazzy Vance, BKN P

1925 Rogers Hornsby, STL 2B

1926 Bob O'Farrell, STL C

1927 Paul Waner, PIT OF

1928 Jim Bottomley, STL 1B

1929 Rogers Hornsby, CHI 2B

BWAA Awards

1931 Frankie Frisch, STL 2B

1932 Chuck Klein, PHI OF

1933 Carl Hubbell, NY P

1934 Dizzy Dean, STL P

1935 Gabby Hartnett, CHI C

1936 Carl Hubbell, NY P

1937 Joe Medwick, STL OF

1938 Ernie Lombardi, CIN C

1939 Bucky Walters, CIN P

1940 Frank McCormick, CIN 1B

1941 Dolf Camilli, BKN 1B

1942 Mort Cooper, STL P

1943 Stan Musial, STL OF

1944 Marty Marion, STL SS

1945 Phil Cavarretta, CHI 1B

1946 Stan Musial, STL 1B-OF

1947 Bob Elliott, BOS 3B

1948 Stan Musial, STL OF

1949 Jackie Robinson, BKN 2B

1950 Jim Konstanty, PHI P

1951 Roy Campanella, BKN C

1952 Hank Sauer, CHI OF

1953 Roy Campanella, BKN C

1954 Willie Mays, NY OF

1955 Roy Campanella, BKN C

1956 Don Newcombe, BKN P

1957 Hank Aaron, MIL OF

1958 Ernie Banks, CHI SS

1959 Ernie Banks, CHI SS

1960 Dick Groat, PIT SS

1961 Frank Robinson, CIN OF

1962 Maury Wills, LA SS

1963 Sandy Koufax, LA P

1964 Ken Boyer, STL 3B

1965 Willie Mays, SF OF

1966 Roberto Clemente, PIT OF

1967 Orlando Cepeda, STL 1B

1968 Bob Gibson, STL P

1969 Willie McCovey, SF 1B

1970 Johnny Bench, CIN C

1971 Joe Torre, STL 3B

1972 Johnny Bench, CIN C

1973 Pete Rose, CIN OF

1974 Steve Garvey, LA 1B

1975 Joe Morgan, CIN 2B

1976 Joe Morgan, CIN 2B

1977 George Foster, CIN OF

1978 Dave Parker, PIT OF

1979 Keith Hernandez, STL 1B

TIE Willie Stargell, PIT 1B

1980 Mike Schmidt, PHI 3B

1981 Mike Schmidt, PHI 3B

1982 Dale Murphy, ATL OF

1983 Dale Murphy, ATL OF

1984 Ryne Sandberg, CHI 2B

1985 Willie McGee, STL OF

1986 Mike Schmidt, PHI 3B

1987 Andre Dawson, CHI OF

1988 Kirk Gibson, LA OF

1989 Kevin Mitchell, SF OF

1990 Barry Bonds, PIT OF

1991 Terry Pendleton, ATL 3B

1992 Barry Bonds, PIT OF

1993 Barry Bonds, SF OF

1994 Jeff Bagwell, HOU 1B

1995 Barry Larkin, CIN SS

1996 Ken Caminiti, SD 3B

1997 Larry Walker, COL OF

1998 Sammy Sosa, CHI OF

1999 Chipper Jones, ATL 3B

2000 Jeff Kent, SF 2B

2001 Barry Bonds, SF OF

2002 Barry Bonds, SF OF

2003 Barry Bonds, SF OF

2004 Barry Bonds, SF OF

American League Winners

Chalmers Award

1911 Ty Cobb, DET OF

1912 Tris Speaker, BOS OF

1913 Walter Johnson, WAS P

1914 Eddie Collins, PHI 2B

League Awards

1922 George Sisler, STL 1B

1923 Babe Ruth, NY OF

1924 Walter Johnson, WAS P

1925 Roger Peckinpaugh, WAS SS

1926 George Burns, CLE 1B

1927 Lou Gehrig, NY 1B

1928 Mickey Cochrane, PHI C

1929 No selection

BWAA Awards

1931 Lefty Grove, PHI P

1932 Jimmie Foxx, PHI 1B

1933 Jimmie Foxx, PHI 1B

1934 Mickey Cochrane, DET C

1935 Hank Greenberg, DET 1B

1936 Lou Gehrig, NY 1B

1937 Charlie Gehringer, DET 2B

1938 Jimmie Foxx, BOS 1B

1939 Joe DiMaggio, NY OF

1940 Hank Greenberg, DET OF

1941 Joe DiMaggio, NY OF

1942 Joe Gordon, NY 2B

1943 Spud Chandler, NY P

1944 Hal Hewhouser, DET P

1945 Hal Newhouser, DET P

1946 Ted Williams, BOS OF

1947 Joe DiMaggio, NY OF

1948 Lou Boudreau, CLE SS

1949 Ted Williams, BOS OF

1950 Phil Rizzuto, NY SS

1951 Yogi Berra, NY C

1952 Bobby Shantz, PHI P

1953 Al Rosen, CLE 3B

1954 Yogi Berra, NY C

1955 Yogi Berra, NY C

1956 Mickey Mantle, NY OF

1957 Mickey Mantle, NY OF

1958 Jackie Jensen, BOS OF

1959 Nellie Fox, CHI 2B

1960 Roger Maris, NY OF

1961 Roger Maris, NY OF

1962 Mickey Mantle, NY OF

1963 Elston Howard, NY C

1964 Brooks Robinson, BAL 3B

1965 Zoilo Versalles, MIN SS

1966 Frank Robinson, BAL OF

1967 Carl Yastrzemski, BOS OF

1968 Denny McLain, DET P

1969 Harmon Killebrew, MIN 3B-1B

1970 Boog Powell, BAL 1B

1971 Vida Blue, OAK P

1972 Dick Allen, CHI 1B

1973 Reggie Jackson, OAK OF

1974 Jeff Burroughs, TEX OF

1975 Fred Lynn, BOS OF

1976 Thurman Munson, NY C

1977 Rod Carew, MIN 1B

1978 Jim Rice, BOS OF-DH

1979 Don Baylor, CAL OF-DH

1980 George Brett, KC 3B

1981 Rollie Fingers, MIL P

1982 Robin Yount, MIL SS

1983 Cal Ripken Jr., BAL SS

1984 Willie Hernandez, DET P

1985 Don Mattingly, NY 1B

1986 Roger Clemens, BOS P

1987 George Bell, TOR OF

1988 Jose Canseco, OAK OF

1989 Robin Yount, MIL OF

1990 Rickey Henderson, OAK OF

1991 Cal Ripken Jr., BAL SS

1992 Dennis Eckersley, OAK P

1993 Frank Thomas, CHI 1B

1994 Frank Thomas, CHI 1B

1995 Mo Vaughn, BOS 1B

1996 Juan Gonzalez, TEX OF-DH

1997 Ken Griffey Jr., SEA OF

1998 Juan Gonzalez, TEX OF

1999 Ivan Rodriguez, TEX C

2000 Jason Giambi, OAK 1B

2001 Ichiro Suzuki, SEA OF

2002 Miguel Tejada, OAK SS

2003 Alex Rodriguez, TEX SS

2004 Vladimir Guerrero, ANA OF

CY YOUNG AWARD

History

As a baseball writer and president of the National League, Ford Frick was bothered by the fact that pitchers rarely received any consideration for the Most Valuable Player awards.

After becoming commissioner of baseball in 1951, Frick began a campaign to establish an award for the outstanding pitcher in the major leagues. He finally succeeded in 1956, when the Baseball Writers Association of America (BWAA) approved such an award. It was named the Cy Young Memorial Award, for the great pitcher who had died in November of 1955.

Originally, one BWAA member from each major league city took part in the balloting and was allowed to vote for just one pitcher. If there was a tie, a second vote was taken, with only the tied pitchers on the ballot.

Once a pitcher won the award, he wasn't eligible to win again. However, that rule was abandoned in 1958.

Many BWAA members wanted an award for each major league, but Frick opposed that idea. It was finally adopted in 1967, a little more than a year after Frick retired and was replaced by William D. Eckert. At the same time, the vote was expanded to include two writers from each major league city.

After Denny McLain and Mike Cuellar tied for the American League award in 1969, the balloting system was changed. Each writer was to vote for three pitchers, with 5 points awarded for a first-place vote, 3 for second place, and 1 for third place. That system is still used.

Winners

Single Award

1956 Don Newcombe, BKN NL

1957 Warren Spahn, MIL NL

1958 Bob Turley, NY AL

1959 Early Wynn, CHI AL

1960 Vernon Law, PIT NL

1961 Whitey Ford, NY AL

1962 Don Drysdale, LA NL

1963 Sandy Koufax, LA NL

1964 Dean Chance, LA AL

1965 Sandy Koufax, LA NL

1966 Sandy Koufax, LA NL

National League

1967 Mike McCormick, SF

1968 Bob Gibson, STL

1969 Tom Seaver, NY

1970 Bob Gibson, STL

1971 Ferguson Jenkins, CHI

1972 Steve Carlton, PHI

1973 Tom Seaver, NY

1974 Mike Marshall, LA

1975 Tom Seaver, NY

1976 Randy Jones, SD

1977 Steve Carlton, PHI

1978 Gaylord Perry, SD

1979 Bruce Sutter, CHI

1980 Steve Carlton, PHI

1981 Fernando Valenzuela, LA

1982 Steve Carlton, PHI

1983 John Denny, PHI

1984 Rick Sutcliffe, CHI

1985 Dwight Gooden, NY

1986 Mike Scott, HOU

1987 Steve Bedrosian, PHI

1988 Orel Hershiser, LA

1989 Mark Davis, SD

1990 Doug Drabek, PIT

1991 Tom Glavine, ATL

1992 Greg Maddux, CHI

1993 Greg Maddux, ATL

1994 Greg Maddux, ATL

1995 Greg Maddux, ATL

1996 John Smoltz, ATL

1997 Pedro Martinez, MON

1998 Tom Glavine, ATL

1999 Randy Johnson, ARI

2000 Randy Johnson, ARI

2001 Randy Johnson, ARI

2002 Randy Johnson, ARI

2003 Eric Gagne, LA

2004 Roger Clemens, HOU

American League

1967 Jim Lonborg, BOS

1968 Denny McLain, DET

1969 Denny McLain, DET

TIE Mike Cuellar, BAL

1970 Jim Perry, MIN

1971 Vida Blue, OAK

1972 Gaylord Perry, CLE

1973 Jim Palmer, BAL

1974 Catfish Hunter, OAK

1975 Jim Palmer, BAL

1976 Jim Palmer, BAL

1977 Sparky Lyle, NY

1978 Ron Guidry, NY

1979 Mike Flanagan, BAL

1980 Steve Stone, BAL

1981 Rollie Fingers, MIL

1982 Pete Vuckovich, MIL

1983 LaMarr Hoyt, CHI

1984 Willie Hernandez, DET

1985 Bret Saberhagen, KC

1986 Roger Clemens, BOS

1987 Roger Clemens, BOS

1988 Frank Viola, MIN

1989 Bret Saberhagen, KC

1990 Bob Welch, OAK

1991 Roger Clemens, BOS

1992 Dennis Eckersley, OAK

1993 Jack McDowell, CHI

1994 David Cone, KC

1995 Randy Johnson, SEA

1996 Pat Hentgen, TOR

1997 Roger Clemens, TOR

1998 Roger Clemens, TOR

1999 Pedro Martinez, BOS

2000 Pedro Martinez, BOS

2001 Roger Clemens, NY

2002 Barry Zito, OAK

2003 Roy Halladay, TOR

2004 Johan Santana, MIN

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

History

The Rookie of the Year Award was originated in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWA), which presented a single award for the major leagues.

The BBWA took over the award in 1947. Since 1949, there has been a Rookie of the Year Award for each league.

Voters were allowed to decide which players should be considered rookies until 1957, when the BBWA established definite criteria.

The criteria have changed several times since then. Currently, a player is considered a rookie if he hasn't accumulated more than 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched, or 45 days on a major league roster before Sept. 1 of any previous season. (That's the cutoff date because, on Sept. 1, the roster limit is increased from 25 to 40.)

In 1946, The Sporting News established its own Rookie of the Year award. For the first two years and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of major-league baseball. In 1949 and since 1951, TSN has given an award to a player from each league.

Pitchers were originally eligible for The Sporting News award, as they are for the BWAA award. In 1963, TSN established a separate Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award, so this award now goes to a position player.

BWAA Award Winners

Single Award

Chicago Writers

1941 Pete Reiser, BKN NL OF

1942 Johnny Beazley, STL NL P

1943 Bill Johnson, NY AL 3B

1944 Bill Voiselle, NY NL P

1945 Boo Ferriss, BOS AL P

1946 Eddie Waitkus, CHI NL 1B

National Writers

1947 Jackie Robinson, BKN NL 1B

1948 Alvin Dark, BOS NL SS

National League

1949 Don Newcombe, BKN P

1950 Sam Jethroe, BOS OF

1951 Willie Mays, NY OF

1952 Joe Black, BKN P

1953 Jim Gilliam, BKN 2B

1954 Wally Moon, STL OF

1955 Bill Virdon, STL. OF

1956 Frank Robinson, CIN OF

1957 Jack Sanford, PHI P

1958 Orlando Cepeda, SF 1B

1959 Willie McCovey, SF 1B

1960 Frank Howard, LA OF

1961 Billy Williams, CHI OF

1962 Ken Hubbs, CHI 2B

1963 Pete Rose, CIN 2B

1964 Richie Allen, PHI 3B

1965 Jim Lefebvre, LA 2B

1966 Tommy Helms, CIN 3B

1967 Tom Seaver, NY P

1968 Johnny Bench, CIN C

1969 Ted Sizemore, LA 2B

1970 Carl Morton, MON P

1971 Earl Williams, ATL C

1972 Jon Matlack, NY P

1973 Gary Matthews, SF OF

1974 Bake McBride, STL OF

1975 John Montefusco, SF P

1976 Butch Metzger, SD P

TIE Pat Zachry, CIN P

1977 Andre Dawson, MON OF

1978 Bob Horner, ATL 3B

1979 Rick Sutcliffe, LA P

1980 Steve Howe, LA P

1981 Fernando Valenzuela, LA P

1982 Steve Sax, LA 2B

1983 Darryl Strawberry, NY OF

1984 Dwight Gooden, NY P

1985 Vince Coleman, STL OF

1986 Todd Worrell, STL P

1987 Benito Santiago, SD C

1988 Chris Sabo, CIN 3B

1989 Jerome Walton, CHI OF

1990 David Justice, ATL OF

1991 Jeff Bagwell, HOU 1B

1992 Eric Karros, LA 1B

1993 Mike Piazza, LA C

1994 Raul Mondesi, LA OF

1995 Hideo Nomo, LA P

1996 Todd Hollandsworth, LA OF

1997 Scott Rolen, PHI 3B

1998 Kerry Wood, CHI P

1999 Scott Williamson, CIN P

2000 Rafael Furcal, ATL SS

2001 Albert Pujols, STL 3B

2002 Jason Jennings, COL P

2003 Dontrelle Willis, FLA P

2004 Jason Bay, PIT OF

American League

1949 Roy Sievers, STL OF

1950 Walt Dropo, BOS 1B

1951 Gil McDougald, NY 3B

1952 Harry Byrd, PHI P

1953 Harvey Kuenn, DET SS

1954 Bob Grim, NY P

1955 Herb Score, CLE P

1956 Luis Aparicio, CHI SS

1957 Tony Kubek, NY INF-OF

1958 Albie Pearson, WAS OF

1959 Bob Allison, WAS OF

1960 Ron Hansen, BAL SS

1961 Don Schwall, BOS P

1962 Tom Tresh, NY SS-OF

1963 Gary Peters, CHI P

1964 Tony Oliva, MIN OF

1965 Curt Blefary, BAL OF

1966 Tommie Agee, CHI OF

1967 Rod Carew, MIN 2B

1968 Stan Bahnsen, NY P

1969 Lou Piniella, KC OF

1970 Thurman Munson, NY C

1971 Chris Chambliss, CLE 1B

1972 Carlton Fisk, BOS C

1973 Al Bumbry, BAL OF

1974 Mike Hargrove, TEX 1B

1975 Fred Lynn, BOS OF

1976 Mark Fidrych, DET P

1977 Eddie Murray, BAL DH-1B

1978 Lou Whitaker, DET 2B

1979 John Castino, MIN 3B

TIE Alfredo Griffin, TOR SS

1980 Joe Charbonneau, CLE OF-DH

1981 Dave Righetti, NY P

1982 Cal Ripken Jr., BAL SS-3B

1983 Ron Kittle, CHI OF

1984 Alvin Davis, SEA 1B

1985 Ozzie Guillen, CHI SS

1986 Jose Canseco, OAK OF

1987 Mark McGwire, OAK 1B

1988 Walt Weiss, OAK SS

1989 Gregg Olson, BAL P

1990 Sandy Alomar Jr., CLE C

1991 Chuck Knoblauch, MIN 2B

1992 Pat Listach, MIL SS

1993 Tim Salmon, CAL OF

1994 Bob Hamelin, KC DH

1995 Marty Cordova, MIN OF

1996 Derek Jeter, NY SS

1997 Nomar Garciaparra, BOS SS

1998 Ben Grieve, OAK OF

1999 Carlos Beltran, KC OF

2000 Kazuhiro Sasaki, SEA P

2001 Ichiro Suzuki, SEA OF

2002 Eric Hinske, TOR 3B

2003 Angel Borroa, KC SS

2004 Bobby Crosby, OAK SS