The 2024 World Series is upon us, and the matchup between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers features several stars and likely future Hall of Famers. But only player will be named World Series MVP.
Given that the Fall Classic is finally here, it's a good time to look back at the history of the World Series MVP award and what makes it so special.
How long has the World Series MVP been given out?
Major League Baseball began handing out a World Series MVP award in 1955. Ironically, the first two were given to a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and a member of the New York Yankees.
In 1955, the Dodgers beat the Yankees in seven games, and pitcher Johnny Podres won the award. In that series he went 2-0 in two outings—both were complete games and one was a shutout. He allowed two earned runs over 18 innings pitched. Podres shut out the Yankees in the deciding seventh game as Brooklyn won 2-0.
In 1956, the two teams faced off again and, once again, it went the full seven games. The Yankees won the series this time and starting pitcher Don Larsen was named MVP. Larsen went 1-0 in two games and pitched the only perfect game in World Series history in Game 5. He took a no-decision in a 13-8 loss in Game 2.
What teams have had the most World Series MVPs?
The Yankees have won the most World Series all-time, so it's no surprise they have the most World Series MVPs.
Yankees players have won 12 World Series MVP awards, while the Dodgers are second with nine. The St. Louis Cardinals boast five winners, while the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics both have four.
The Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Braves each have three.
What position has been awarded World Series MVP the most?
Not surprisingly, pitchers have overwhelmingly won the most World Series MVP awards. Of the 71 times the award has been given out, it has gone to a pitcher 29 times.
Third base comes in second at 10 times, outfielders have won nine times, while shortstops have won eight and catchers have won seven. Designated hitters and first basemen have won three times each and a second baseman has won once.
Has the World Series MVP ever been given to more than one player?
Yes, on two occasions the World Series MVP has been awarded to multiple players.
The first instance was in 1981 when the Dodgers beat the Yankees in six games. Third baseman Ron Cey, outfielder Pedro Guerrero and catcher Steve Yeager tied for the award.
In 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Yankees in seven games, and pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were jointly awarded the MVP award.
Has anyone won a World Series MVP for the losing team?
A player on the losing team has been named World Series MVP one time. It came in 1960 when the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Yankees in seven games. That series is famous for Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski hitting a game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7.
While Mazeroski was the hero, his counterpart, Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson, was named MVP of the series. Richard finished the series with a .367 batting average, one home run (a grand slam) and 12 RBIs.
Richardson is the only player from a losing team to win World Series MVP and the only second baseman to earn the honor.
Have any players won World Series MVP multiple times?
Four players have won the World Series MVP on multiple occasions. All have won it twice, no one has ever won it four times.
Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax was the first to accomplish the feat, as he was named MVP of the World series in 1963 and 1965. Cardinals ace Bob Gibson wasn't far behind as he won the honor in 1964 and 1967.
Reggie Jackson earned his nickname Mr. October for a reason. He won World Series MVP for the A's in 1973 and the Yankees in 1977. Shortstop Corey Seager has also done it for two different teams. He accomplished the feat for the Dodgers in 2020 and the Texas Rangers in 2023.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as World Series MVP Award Winners History: Full List.
