We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the ALCS or NLCS MVPs.  We have one major baseball award left, the Hank Aaron Award, which is given annually to the best hitter in each league.  It is named after Aaron, who was one of the most prolific hitters of all-time.

The trophy first came into existence in 1999, with one awarded in each league.

So how many Hank Aaron Award winners have made the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Hank Aaron Award who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

2006 AL: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Third Base, 14 HR, 97 RBI, .343/.417/.483            

Derek Jeter is one of the most popular players in Yankees history, which is incredible considering how many legends wore the pinstripes.  In 2006, Jeter had already won the World Series four times, and he went to his seventh All-Star Game, while earning his first Silver Slugger.  Jeter was the runner-up for the MVP this year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2009 AL: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Third Base, 18 HR, 66 RBI, .334/.406/.465 (2)            

Jeter finished third in MVP voting this year, and he collected his fourth consecutive Silver Slugger.  He would lead New York to another World Series win, his fifth, and he played until 2014, collecting 3,465 Hits with a .310 lifetime Batting Average.  Jeter was overall a 14-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, five-time Gold Glove winner, who also smacked 260 Home Runs with 1,311 RBIs.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

 

The following are the players who have won the Hank Aaron Award who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

1999 AL: Manny Ramirez, Cleveland Indians, Outfield, 44 HR, 165 RBI, .333/.442/.633.            

Ramirez had already proven himself as a star, but this season, he led the American League in RBIs with 165, which would be a career-high.  An All-Star for the third time, Ramirez also led the league in Slugging Percentage, OPS (1.105) and was third in MVP voting.  He also won the Silver Slugger.

Eligible Since 2017.  Ramirez has been on the ballot for five years, finishing as high as 28.2% in both 2019 and 2020.  Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com  

1999 NL: Sammy Sosa, Chicago Cubs, Outfield, 63 HR, 141 RBI, .288/.367/.635, 1999, NL            

Sosa was the 1998 National League MVP, and was ninth this year in voting.  He was also a Silver Slugger winner, winning it for the third of six times.  While Sosa is a seven-time All-Star with 609 career Home Runs, PED suspicion has kept him out of Cooperstown.

Eligible Since 2013.  Sosa has been on the ballot for nine years, finishing as high as 17.0% in 2020.  Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2000 AL:  Carlos Delgado, Toronto Blue Jays, First Base, 41 HR, 137 RBI, .344/.470/.664, 2000, AL            

Delgado was an All-Star for the first time, and he led the AL in Doubles (57) and was fourth in MVP voting.  The First Baseman earned the second of his third Silver Sluggers this year, and he would later play for Florida and New York (NL), retiring on 2009.  Delgado had 473 Home Runs with 1,512 RBIs over his career.

Eligible Since 2015.  Delgado was on the ballot for one year in 2015 and received 3.6% of the vote.  Ranked #82 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2000 NL:  Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies, First Base, 42 HR, 147 RBI, .372/.463/.698, 2000, NL            

2000 was arguably Helton’s best year in baseball as he led the NL in Hits (216), Doubles (59), RBIs, and all three Slash Line components.  This began a five-year streak of All-Star Game appearances, and a four-year run of Silver Sluggers.  Helton, who was fifth in MVP voting this year, played his entire career with the Rockies, and had 2,519 Hits, 369 Home Runs, 1,406 RBIs with a Slash Line of .316/.414/539.

Eligible Since 2018.  Helton has been on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 44.9% in 2021.  Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2001 AL:  Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers, Shortstop, 52 HR, 135 RBI, .318/.399/.622, 2001, AL            

After establishing himself as a superstar in Seattle, Rodriguez signed what was then the biggest contract in baseball with the Texas Rangers.  Rodriguez delivered with his best year to date, though he was only sixth in MVP voting.  He led the AL in Home Runs (52), Runs Scored (133), and was a Silver Slugger for the fifth time.

Eligible Since 2022.  Rodriguez is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2001 NL:  Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants, Outfield, 73 HR, 137 RBI, .328/.515/.863, 2001, NL            

This was the year that Bonds set the single season record in Home Runs, and Slugging Percentage, and while he was wildly unpopular outside of San Francisco, he was the runaway winner for the MVP, his fourth and first since 1993 when he was a Pirate.  Bonds also led the NL in OBP, OPS, and won his ninth Silver Slugger this year.

Eligible Since 2013.  Bonds has been on the ballot for nine years and finished as high as 61.8% in 2021.  Ranked #1C on Notinhalloffame.com  

2002 AL:  Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers, Shortstop, 57 HR, 142 RBI, .300/.392/.623, 2001, AL (2)           

A-Rod was incredible this year, leading the AL in Home Runs for the second straight year, and winning his first RBI Title.  Rodriguez finished second for the MVP, won his sixth Silver Slugger, and defensively won the Gold Glove for the first time. 

Eligible Since 2022.  Rodriguez is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2002 NL:  Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants, Outfield, 46 HR, 110 RBI, .370/.582/.799, 2002, NL (2)         

Bonds was again putting up PlayStation like numbers, and while his Home Runs were “only” 46, his OBP rocketed up to .582.  Basically, nobody wanted to pitch to him unless they had to.  Bonds repeated as MVP, winning his fifth overall, and also was a Silver Slugger for the tenth time.

Eligible Since 2013.  Bonds has been on the ballot for nine years and finished as high as 61.8% in 2021.  Ranked #1C on Notinhalloffame.com  

2003 AL:  Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers, Shortstop, 47 HR, 118 RBI, .298/.396/.600 (3)           

While arguably this was his weakest of his three years in Texas, Rodriguez captured his first MVP.  A-Rod led the AL in Home Runs for the third straight season (47), and he won his first Slugging Title (.600).  Silver Slugger number seven came to Rodriguez as did his second Gold Glove. 

Eligible Since 2022.  Rodriguez is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com 

2004 AL: Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox, Outfield, 43 HR, 130 RBI, .308/.397/.613 (2)           

Ramirez joined the Red Sox in 2001, and in 2004, he won his first Home Run Title.  This season, he won his third Slugging Title, third OPS Title, and was third for the AL MVP.  Again winning the Silver Slugger, Ramirez and the Red Sox broke the curse this year, by winning their first World Series since 2019.  Ramirez played until 2012, blasting 555 Home Runs, 1.831 RBIs, with a lifetime Slash Line of .312/.411/.585.

Eligible Since 2017.  Ramirez has been on the ballot for five years, finishing as high as 28.2% in both 2019 and 2020.  Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2004 NL:  Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants, Outfield, 45 HR, 101 RBI, .362/.609/.812 (3)         

Bonds did not win the Hank Aaron Award in 2003, but he won the MVP that year, his third in a row.  He reclaimed the Hank Aaron Award in 2004, along with his fourth straight MVP, where he set a MLB record with a 1.422 OPS season.  Injuries and age caught up with Bonds, and despite being an All-Star in 2007 with a National League leading OBP of .480, he was not signed by any other team afterward.  He finished his career with 762 Home Runs, and 2,558 Walks, both of which are all-time records.  He retired with a lifetime OPS of 1.051.

Eligible Since 2013.  Bonds has been on the ballot for nine years and finished as high as 61.8% in 2021.  Ranked #1C on Notinhalloffame.com  

2005 AL:  David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, Designated Hitter, 47 HR, 148 RBI, .300/.397/.604.         

Ortiz became the first primary Designated Hitter to win the Hank Aaron Award, and the popular player won the RBI Title for the first of what would be three times.  This was his second year in Boston, his second All-Star season, and he also won his second Silver Slugger.  Ortiz was the runner-up for the MVP.

Eligible Since 2022.  Ortiz is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2005 NL:  Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves, Outfield, 51 HR, 128 RBI, .263/.347/.575.          

This was the best season of Jones’ career, and he won the Home Run (51) and RBI (128) Titles for the only time this year.  Jones also captured his only Silver Slugger this year, and he was the runner-up for the National League MVP.  Jones stayed with Atlanta until 2007, after which he played with the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees, and retired with 434 Home Runs.

Eligible Since 2017.  Jones has been on the ballot for four years and finished as high as 33.9% in 2021.  Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com  

2006 NL:  Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies, First Base, 58 HR, 149 RBI, .313/.425/.659.          

In what was his third Major League season, Ryan Howard was spectacular, and produced his best year in Baseball.  Howard was first in Home Runs (58), Runs Batted In (149), and his Slash Line of .313/.425/.659 were career highs.  Justifiably, Howard won the MVP and the Silver Slugger, and over the next three seasons, he blasted at least 45 Home Runs and 136 RBIs.  Howard slumped after that, losing facets of his game, which considering he couldn’t field or run fast, took him out of any Hall of Fame consideration.  He played his entire career with the Phillies, accumulating 1,475 Hits, 382 Home Runs and 1,194 RBIs.

Eligible Since 2022.  Howard is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

2007 AL:  Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees, Shortstop, 47 HR, 118 RBI, .298/.396/.600. (4)           

Rodriguez joined the Yankees in 2004, and to say it was a tumultuous period would be an understatement.  This did not mean that he did not produce colossal numbers in the Bronx, as he did.  He won his second MVP in 2005, and his third this year, winning his fifth Home Run Title (54), second RBI Title (156), third Slugging Title (.645) and second OPS Title (1.067).  A-Rod also won the ninth of what would be ten Silver Sluggers.  Rodriguez drama began after this season, but he did win a World Series Ring in 2009.  He finished his career with 3,115 Hits, 696 Home Runs, 2,086 RBIs, 329 Stolen Bases and a lifetime Batting Average of .295.

Eligible Since 2022.  Rodriguez is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com 

2007 NL:  Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers, First Base, 50 HR, 119 RBI, .288/.395/.618.          

Prince Fielder followed in the footsteps of his father, Cecil, as he became a stocky power-hitting First Baseman, and this was his breakout year.  Fielder led the American League in Home Runs (50), was third in MVP voting, and won the Silver Slugger.  He had five more 30 Home Run seasons, would become a six-time All-Star and collected three Silver Sluggers.  His career ended abruptly at age 32 due to injuries, and he retired with 319 Home Runs.

Eligible Since 2022.  Fielder is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

2008 AL:  Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox, First Base, 29 HR, 115 RBI, .312/.390/.569.          

This was the best year of Youkilis’ career, where he had career-bests in Home Runs (29), RBIs (115) and Batting Average (.312), and was an All-Star for the first time.  Youkilis was third in MVP voting, and he helped the BoSox win two previous World Series.  He went to two more All-Star Games, and played with Boston until 2012, finishing his career with brief stops in Chicago (AL) and New York (AL) before retiring in 213.  He had 1,053 career Hits.

Eligible Since 2019.  Youkilis was on the ballot for one year in 2019, but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

2008 NL:  Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs, Third Base, 27 HR, 112 RBI, .289/.380/.518.          

Ramirez was an All-Star in 2005, and in 2008, his 11^th Season, He was an All-Star for the second and final time.  This year, he was tenth in MVP voting, equalling his finish in 2004.  Ramirez later played for Milwaukee, going to a third All-Star Game in 2014, and was a Silver Slugger (while still a Cub) in 2011.  He retired in 2015, finishing with 2,303 Hits, 386 Home Runs and 1,417 RBIs.

Eligible Since 2021.  Ramirez was on the ballot for one year in 2021, and received 1.0% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

2016 AL:  David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, Designated Hitter, 38 HR, 127 RBI, .315/.401/.620, AL (2)         

Ortiz had one of the best farewell seasons ever, and fittingly it resulted in his second Hank Aaron Award, 11 years after his first.  For the only time in his career, he led the AL in Doubles (48), and his 127 RBI gave him his third RBI title.  Ortiz also led the AL in Slugging Percentage (.620) and OPS (1.021), and he won the Silver Slugger for the seventh time.  Over his career, Ortiz had 2,473 Hits, 541 Home Runs, 1,768 RBIs with a lifetime OPS of .931.  He was also instrumental in the Red Sox winning three World Series.

Eligible Since 2022.  Ortiz is on the ballot for the first time this year.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com  

 

Let’s update our tally, shall we?       

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Art Ross	100%	100%
NHL Hart Trophy	93.6%	96.3%
NBA Finals MVP	91.3%	94.9%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NHL Ted Lindsay Award	90.0%
NBA All-Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL Bert Bell Award	73.7%	71.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NFL AP MVP	68.3%	74.0%
NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year	66.7%	66.7%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award	60.0%	60.0%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NHL Vezina	57.1%	66.3%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
NHL Calder Trophy	46.5%	46.5%
NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award	46.0%	46.0%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL King Clancy Award	36.8%	36.8%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB World Series MVP	33.3%	36.8%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB Delivery Man of the Year	25.0%	50.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB Comeback Player of the Year	25.0%	25.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NHL William M. Jennings Trophy	20.7%	40.4%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB Rolaids Reliever of the Year	18.6%	33.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB NLCS/ALCS MVP	16.1%	15.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
MLB Hank Aaron Award	9.1%	14.3%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Hank Aaron Award in MLB who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame: 

2010 AL: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays, Outfield, 54 HR, 124 RBI, .260/.378/.617           

Jose Bautista seemingly came out of nowhere to become an offensive star, as at age 29, he went from 13 to 54 Home Runs.  Bautista led the AL in Home Runs this year, and earned his first Silver Slugger.  He was also fourth in MVP voting, and began a six-year run of All-Stars.  

Eligible In 2024. 

2011 AL: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays, Outfield, 43 HR, 103 RBI, .302/.447/.608 (2)           

As great as Bautista’s power numbers were in 2011, they were down from what he did in 2010.  Nevertheless, Bautista became a more complete hitter, leading the AL in Walks (132), had his first (and only) .300 season, and he led the league in Slugging (.608) and OPS (1.056).  Bautista was third in MVP voting, and won his second Silver Slugger.  He won a third Silver Slugger in 2014, and had 344 Home Runs over his career, most of which happened after he turned 29.

Eligible In 2024. 

2011 NL: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield, 39 HR, 126 RBI, .324/.399/.586            

This was by far the nest season of Matt Kemp’s career, where he led the National League in Runs Scored (115), Home Runs (39) and RBIs, all of which were career-highs.  Kemp was the runner-up for the MVP, and this was his second and final Silver Slugger year.  The three-time All-Star would later play for San Diego, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Colorado, and he had 287 Home Runs.

Eligible In 2026. 

The following are the past players who have won the Hank Aaron Award who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and are still active.

2004 NL: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, First Base, 2004, 43 HR, 124 RBI, .359/.439/.667.

Pujols was in his third season, and the second of which where he finished second in MVP voting behind Barry Bonds.  This year, Pujols, who won his second Silver Slugger, led the NL in Hits (212), Doubles (51) and Batting Average (.359). 

41 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

2009 NL: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, First Base, 2009, 47 HR, 135 RBI, .327/.443/.658 (2)            

After winning his first Hank Aaron Award in 2003, Pujols won the National League MVP in 2005 and 2008, and 2009 saw the slugger win his third.  Pujols won the Home Run title for the first time this year, and he also captured his first OBP crown.  This was also his third time winning the Slugging and OPS Title.  Silver Slugger number five happened this year for Pujols.

41 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

2010 NL: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds, First Base, 37 HR, 113 RBI, .324/.424/.600            

This was Votto’s fourth year in the Majors, and it was his breakout campaign.  Not only did Votto win the Hank Aaron award, the First Baseman won the MVP.  Votto was an All-Star for the first time this year, and he would win his first of seven OBP Titles, and the first of two OPS Titles.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

2012 AL: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers, First Base, 44 HR, 139 RBI, .330/.393/.606            

Cabrera was a World Series Champion with Florida in 2007, and like all of their stars, he was traded, in his case to Detroit.  Cabrera got better in Motown, and this year he went to his seventh All-Star Game, won his second Home Run Title, his second Batting Title, and he won his first MVP.

38 Years Old, Playing for the Detroit Tigers.

2012 NL: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants, Catcher, 24 HR, 103 RBI, .336/.408/.549      

This year, Posey became the first Catcher to win the Hank Aaron Award, which he did in a campaign that earned him the MVP.  Posey, who two years before won the Rookie of the Year, captured the Batting Title this year and he also won the Silver Slugger.

34 Years Old, Playing for the San Francisco Giants.

2013 AL: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers, First Base, 44 HR, 137 RBI, .348/.442/.636      

Cabrera went back-to-back for Hank Aaron Awards, and did the same for MVPs.  He was first in the AL in all aspects of the Slash Line, and was first in OPS (1.078), which was a career-high.  Cabrera won his fifth Silver Slugger this year, and would win two more.  Still playing, Cabrera became a member of the 500 Home Run club in 2021.

38 Years Old, Playing for the Detroit Tigers.

2013 NL: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks, First Base, 36 HR, 125 RBI, .302/.401/.651      

Goldschmidt broke out this year, leading the National League in Home Runs (36), RBIs (125), Slugging Percentage (.551) and Slugging Percentage (.952).  He was the runner-up for the MVP, and also won his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, while also beginning a six-year streak of All-Stars.

33 Years Old, Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

2014 AL: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels, Outfield, 36 HR, 111 RBI, .287/.377/.561      

Two years after winning the Rookie of the Year, Mike Trout was the proven best player in baseball.  Trout was second in MVP voting in his first and second full year, and this season, he did not only win the Hank Aaron but his first MVP.  This year, Trout led the AL in Runs (115), RBIs (111) and won his third straight Silver Slugger.

30 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

2014 NL: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins, Outfield, 37 HR, 105 RBI, .288/.395/.555      

This is Stanton’s fifth season, and he led the National League in Home Runs for the first time (37), and won his second Slugging Title (.555).  Stanton was second in MVP voting and he won his first Silver Slugger this year.

31 Years Old, Playing for the New York Yankees.

2015 AL: Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays, Third Base, 41 HR, 123 RBI, .297/.371/.568      

Donaldson broke out the year before, going to his first All-Star Game, but it would be his last year in Oakland, as he was traded to Toronto.  In his first year as a Blue Jay, Donaldson had his best year in Baseball, leading the American League in Runs (122), RBIs (123), and he won the MVP and his first Silver Slugger.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Minnesota Twins.

2015 NL: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals, Outfield, 42 HR, 99 RBI, .330/.460/.649      

Harper won the National League Rookie of the Year in 2012, and this year he had his monster campaign, leading the NL in Runs Scored (118), Home Runs (42), OBP (.460), Slugging Percentage (.649) and OPS (1.109). He also won his first Silver Slugger this year.

28 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

2016 NL: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs, Outfield, 39 HR, 102 RBI, .292/.385/.554      

This was Bryant’s second season, and he also won the MVP.  Bryant also led the NL in Runs Scored (121), Offensive bWAR (6.4), was fourth in OPS, OPS+ (146) and third in Home Runs.  More importantly, Bryant led the Cubs to their first World Series win in over 100 years.

29 Years Old, Playing for the San Francisco Giants.

2017 AL: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros, Second Base, 24 HR, 81 RBI, .346/.410/.547      

For the fourth year in a row, Altuve led the National League in Hits (204), and won his third Batting Title.  Altuve also won the Silver Slugger and MVP, and the Astros won the World Series, their first.

31 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Astros.

2017 NL: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins, Outfield, 59 HR, 132 RBI, .281/.376/.631      

In between his first and second Hank Aaron Award, Stanton remained a competent power hitter, but this year he was outstanding, finishing first in Home Runs (59), RBIs (132), Slugging Percentage (.631).  Stanton won the MVP this year and earned his second Silver Slugger.  Stanton signed with the Yankees after this year.

31 Years Old, Playing for the New York Yankees.

2018 AL: J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox, Outfield, 43 HR, 130 RBI, .330/.402/.629      

In his first year with the Red Sox, Martinez was fourth in MVP voting, and was also the league-leader in RBIs.  An All-Star for the second time this year, Martinez won the Silver Slugger both as an Outfielder and Designated Hitter. Martinez was also second in Batting Average, Slugging Percentage and third in OPS.

33 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

2018 NL: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers, Outfield, 36 HR, 110 RBI, .326/.402/.598      

The acquisition of Christian Yelich paid instant dividends for the Brewers, with the Outfielder winning the Batting Title, Slugging Title and OPS Title in his first year there.  Yelich also won the Silver Slugger and won the MVP.

29 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

2019 AL: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels, Outfield, 45 HR, 104 RBI, .291/.438/.645 (2)     

In between Trout’s first and second Hank Aaron Award, won his second MVP, three more Silver Sluggers, three OBP Titles, one Slugging Title and two OPS Titles.  This year, Trout led the American League in OBP (.439), Slugging Percentage (.645) and OPS (1.083).  Trout won his third MVP this year and captured his seventh Silver Slugger.

30 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

2019 NL: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers, Outfield, 44 HR, 97 RBI, .329/.429/.671 (2)      

Yelich almost won the MVP again, as his late-season injury that cost him significant games kept him from it.  Regardless, he swept the Slash Line, and won his second Silver Slugger.

29 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

2020 AL: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox, First Base, 19 HR, 60 RBI, .317/.370/.617.      

This was the second straight year that Abreu led the American League in RBIs, and he also topped the league in Hits (76), Slugging Percentage and Total Bases (148).  Abreu won the MVP this year, his first.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago White Sox.

2021 NL: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves, First Base, 13 HR, 53 RBI, .341/.462/.640.      

Freeman earned his second Silver Slugger this year, and after four previous top ten finishes in MVP voting, he won it this year.  He was the league-leader in Runs Scored (51) and Doubles (23), and was second in OPS (1.102).

32 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Braves.

The PED situation has lowered the bar significantly for Hank Aaron Award winners to enter Cooperstown, but this average will rise in time.

So, what is up next?

We have another look in Baseball, with the MLB All-Star Game MVP.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

Expansion. Expansion. Expansion.

Over recent years, we have expanded our list of those to consider for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from 100 to 250, and now it is 500 plus.

We did the same to those to consider for the WWE Hall, as it began it at 100 and it is now at 400.

Last year, we expanded the hockey list to 300.  Now, we are ready to that for our baseball list.

The new entries are:

#80. Tommy Bond.  Bond was a sidearm pitcher in the 1800s, who is second all-time in BB/9 and SO/BB.  He won 234 Games.

#90. Babe Adams.  Adams won two World Series Championships with Pittsburgh, and the control pitcher had a career record of 194-139. 

#93. Mickey Lolich.  Lolich led Detroit to a World Series Championship in 1968, winning the World Series MVP.  He was a three-time All-Star who won 217 Games.

#97. Harry Stovey.  Stovey won two Slugging Titles in the 1880s, and was also a five-time leader in Home Runs.  He had 509 Stolen Bases.

#100. Dwight Gooden.  Gooden was the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year in 1984, and he won that league’s MVP in 1985.  A World Series Champion with the Mets in 1986, he had 2,293 career Strikeouts.

#101. Bobby Matthews.  Matthews was one of the more successful Pitchers in the 1800s, and he won 297 Games. 

#104. Johnny Sain.  Sain was a very popular Pitcher in Boston, where he was a three-time All-Star as a Brave and was named The Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year in 1948.

#107. Mel Harder.  Harder played his entire career with Cleveland and was a four-time All-Star.  The hurler won 223 Games over his career.

#110. Fred Lynn.  Lynn made history by winning the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season (1975).  He was a nine-time All-Star.

#118. Bobo Newsom.  Newsom was a beloved character who won 211 Games and was a three-time All-Star.  He also had 2,082 Strikeouts, and a World Series Ring with the Yankees.

#119. Sal Bando.  Bando was the runner-up for the 1971 AL MVP and a member of the three straight World Series Championship Oakland A’s of the 1970s.  He was also a four-time All-Star.

#120. John Olerud.  Olerud was a two-time All-Star, and a two-time World Series winner with Toronto.  He won the AL Batting Title in 1993.

#121. Bob Johnson.  Johnson was a seven-time All-Star who played most of his career with the Philadelphia Athletics.  He twice led the NL in Power/Speed #.

#122. Buddy Bell.  Bell was a five-time All-Star who split his peak career with Cleveland and Texas.  He was a six-time Gold Glove winner.

#123. Vida Blue.  Blue was the American League MVP and Cy Young winner in 1971, and was part of their three consecutive World Series wins from 1972 to 1974.  He won 209 Games with 2,175 Strikeouts.

#124. Tommy Bridges.  Bridges was a six-time All-Star and two-time World Series winning Pitcher who played his entire career with Detroit.

#125. Eddie Cicotte.  Cicotte won the World Series with the Chicago White Sox in 1917, was part of the “Black Sox” scandal of 1919.  Cicotte was the team’s ace. 

#126. George Foster.  Foster was a two-time World Series winner with Cincinnati who won the 1977 NL MVP.  He belted 348 Home Runs.

#127. Mickey Vernon.  Vernon was a seven-time All-Star who led the AL in Doubles three times and won two Batting Titles.

#128. Nomar Garciaparra.  Garciaparra was at one time one of the most popular players in Baseball, and he was a six-time All-Star, five of which as a Red Sox.  

#129. Jack Glasscock.  Glasscock was one of the best defensive players in the 1880s, and he led his league in Defensive bWAR three times.

#130. Bert Campaneris.  Campaneris was one of the most versatile players in baseball history and was a six-time All-Star and six-time leader in Stolen Bases.  He also helped Oakland win three World Series Championships.

#131. Dolph Camilli.  Camilli won the 1941 National League MVP and was a two-time All-Star as a Brooklyn Dodger.

#132. Don Newcombe.  Newcombe was the 1949 Rookie of the Year, and the longtime Dodger won the NL MVP and Cy Young in 1956, which was the same year he led Brooklyn to a World Series win.  He was a four-time All-Star.

#133. Jack Quinn.  Quinn, who played until 50, won two World Series Championships with the Philadelphia Athletics and won 247 Games over his long career.

#134. Cliff Lee.  Lee was a four-time All-Star who won the AL Cy Young in 2008 when he played for Cleveland.

#135. Vern Stephens.  Stephens was an eight-time All-Star who won the AL Home Run Title in 1946.  He finished in the top ten in MVP voting six times.

#136. Dutch Leonard.  Leonard was best known for his time with the Washington Senators who went to five All-Star Games and won 191 Games.

#137. Jim Whitney.  Whitney led the NL in Wins in 1881 and is in the top twenty all-time in BB/9 and SO/BB.

#138. Al Dark.  Dark was a three-time All-Star Infielder who won a World Series Championship with the New York Giants in 1954.

#139. Fernando Valenzuela.  Valenzuela won the Cy Young as a rookie in 1981, and he was a World Series Champion that year.  The six-time All-Star had over 2,000 Strikeouts.

#140. Wilbur Wood.  Wood was a three-time All-Star who The Sporting News named the American League Pitcher of the Year in 1972.

#141. Dolf Luque.  Luque won 194 Games in a career that was spent mostly with Cincinnati, a team he won two World Series Rings with.

#142. Sam McDowell.  McDowell was named the AL Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News when he was with Cleveland.  The six-time All-Star is in the top twenty-five all-time in H/9 and SO/9.

#143. Phil Cavarretta.  Cavarretta played most of his career with the Cubs where the four-time All-Star won the NL MVP in 1945.

#144. Jorge Posada.  Posada was a Yankee for his entire career where he won Four World Series Rings, five Silver Sluggers and was a five-time All-Star.

#145. Charlie Keller.  Keller played most of his career with the Yankees, and was a five-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion.

#146. Paul Derringer.  Derringer went to six All-Star Games and was a World Series winner for both St. Louis and Cincinnati.  The Pitcher accumulated 223 Wins over his career.

#147. Jack Clark.  Clark was a four-time All-Star who won two Silver Sluggers.  

#148. Firpo Marberry.  Marberry led the AL twice in WHIP and in Saves seven times.  He helped Washington win the World Series in 1924.

#149. Willie Davis.  Davis was twice an All-Star who won two World Series Titles with the Dodgers.  He also won three Gold Gloves and had 2,561 Hits. 

#150. Ron Cey.  Cey twice led the NL in Triples and was a two-time All-Star.  He won the World Series in 1981, and was the MVP of the Series.

#151. Silver King.  King won 203 Games and twice led his league in bWAR for Pitchers.

#152. Elston Howard.  Howard won the AL MVP in 1963, was a six-time All-Star and was a four-time World Series Champion with the Yankees.

#153. Rocky Colavito.  Colavito was a six-time All-Star who won the AL Home Run Title in 1959.  He is one of the most popular players in Cleveland history and had 374 career Home Runs.

#154. Ted Kluszewski.  Kluszewski led the NL in Home Runs and RBIs in 1954 and was a four-time All-Star.

#155. Smokey Joe Wood.  Wood won three World Series Championships (two with Boston and one with Cleveland) and is in the all-time top ten in ERA and FIP.

#156. Curt Flood.  Flood is best known for challenging the reserve clause in Baseball, which led to Free Agency in the sport.  He won two World Series Rings with St. Louis and was a seven-time Gold Glove winner and three-time All-Star Game participant.

#157. David Wells.  Wells was a three-time All-Star who helped the Yankees won the 1998 World Series.  He led the AL in BB/9 four times and compiled 2,201 Strikeouts.

#158. Tommy Henrich.  Henrich was a five-time All-Star who played his entire career with the New York Yankees.  With New York, Henrich won five World Series Titles and led the AL in Triples twice.

#159. Lon Warneke.  Warneke was a five-time All-Star who led the NL in ERA in 1932.  He was the runner-up for the MVP that year.

#160. Pete Browning.  Browning won three Batting Titles (AA twice and PL once) and was one of the best contact hitters of the 1880s.  He has a lifetime Batting Average of .341.

#161. Matt Williams.  Williams went to five All-Star Games, and won four Silver Sluggers and four Gold Gloves.  The Infielder and long-time San Francisco Giant would win a World Series late in his career with Arizona.

#162. Camilo Pascual.  Pascual was a five-time All-Star who twice led the AL in bWAR for Pitchers.

#163. Hippo Vaughn.  Vaughn won 178 Games in the Majors and he led the NL in bWAR for Pitchers in 1918.

#164. Jose Canseco.  Canseco won the AL MVP in 1988 and was a six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger.  The two-time Home Run leader had 462 career Home Runs.

#165. Robin Ventura.  Ventura was an All-Star twice and a six-time Gold Glove winner.  He led the AL in Defensive bWAR in 1998, and is in the all-time top twenty in Total Zone Runs.

#166. Kevin Appier.  Appier was best known for his time in Kansas City but the one-time All-Star won a World Series Ring with Anaheim.  He won 169 Games with 1,994 Strikeouts.

#167. Lew Burdette.  Burdette won 203 Games, was a two-time All-Star and was the World Series MVP when his Milwaukee Braves won the World Series in 1957.

#168. Cesar Cedeno.  Cedeno played most of his career with Houston where he was four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner.  He stole 550 Bases.

#169. Dizzy Trout.  Trout won 170 Games and was a World Series Champion with Detroit in 1945.  He was a two-time All-Star and led the AL in bWAR for Pitchers in 1944.

#170. Bobby Veach.  Veach played most of his career with Detroit and had a lifetime Batting Average of .310 with 2,063 Hits.

#171. Gene Tenace.  Tenace was a one-time All-Star Catcher who won four World Series Rings, three with Oakland and one with St. Louis.  He was the World Series MVP in Oakland’s 1972 Championship.

#172. Rudy York.  York was an All-Star seven times who won the AL Home Run Title in 1943.  He helped Detroit win the World Series in 1945.

#173. Eddie Rommell.  Rommell won 171 Games and led the AL in Wins twice.  He played his entire career with the Philadelphia Athletics, where he won the 1929 World Series.

#174. Dennis Martinez.  Martinez was a four-time All-Star who won 245 Games with 2,149 Strikeouts.

#175. George Uhle.  Uhle won 200 Games and won the World Series with Cleveland in 1920.

#176. Frank McCormick.  McCormick won the NL MVP in 1940 in the same year he led the Reds to a World Series win.  He went to nine All-Star Games.

#177. Claude Passeau.  Passeau went to five All-Star Games and led the NL in bWAR for Pitchers in 1940.

#178. Jimmy Key.  Key was a two-time World Series winner (one with Toronto and one with New York (AL)) who had 186 Wins.

#179. Nap Rucker.  Rucker only won 134 Games, but led the NL twice in bWAR for Pitchers in a career spent completely in Brooklyn.

#180. Schoolboy Rowe.  Rowe was a three-time All-Star who won a World Series Ring with Detroit in 1935.  He won 158 Games.

#181. Mark Grace.  Grace had 2,445 Hits, a .309 Batting Average and was a three-time All-Star, and won four Gold Gloves.  Playing most of his career with the Cubs, he won a World Series late in his career with Arizona.

#182. Buddy Myer.  Myer batted .303 with 2,131 Hits and won the AL Batting Title in 1935.  He was also a two-time All-Star.

#183. Harry Davis.  Davis won four Home Run Titles in the deadball era and he helped the Philadelphia Athletics win three World Series Titles.  He is also a three-time AL leader in Doubles.

#184. Frank Viola.  Viola led Minnesota to a World Series win in 1987, and was the AL Cy Young winner the next season.  He won 176 Games over his career.

#185. Cy Williams.  Williams was a four-time NL leader in Home Runs, three of which, when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1920s.

#186. Jose Cruz.  Cruz was with Houston for most of his career, and was a two-time All-Star with 2,251 Hits.

#187. Bill Nicholson.  Nicholson was a five-time All-Star who won two NL Home Run Titles in the 1940s.

#188. Willie Wilson.  Wilson played most of his career with Kansas City where he was a World Series Champion and two-time All-Star.  He was also won two Silver Sluggers, one Gold Glove and had 668 Stolen Bases.

#189. Mark Langston.  Langston was an All-Star four times and threw for 2,464 Strikeouts.

#190. Noodles Hahn.  Hahn led the NL in Strikeouts in his first three years and won at least 20 Games five times.

#191. Jim Fregosi.  Fregosi was one of the first stars in Angels history and was an All-Star six times.

#192. Darryl Strawberry.  Strawberry won four World Series Rings (one with the Mets and three with the Yankees), and the slugger was a two-time Silver Slugger and NL Home Run leader in 1988.  He had 335 Home Runs.

#193. Brett Butler.  Butler amassed 2,357 Hits, 558 Stolen Bases, and was an All-Star in 1991.

#194. Jack Powell.  Powell was a workhorse in the 1900s, who may have had a losing record (245-255), but had a 2.97 lifetime ERA.

#195. Steve Rogers.  Rogers was a five-time All-Star who led the NL in bWAR for Pitchers in 1982.  He won 158 Games.

#196. Chuck Knoblauch.  Knoblauch was a four-time All-Star, who was part of one World Series win in Minnesota and three with the New York Yankees.  He is also a former AL Rookie of the Year.  

#197. Joe Judge.  Judge was the heart of the Washington Senators team that win the 1924 World Series.

#198. Jimmy Sheckard.  Sheckard helped the Cubs win two World Series Championships (1907 & 1908), and had 2,084 Hits over his career.

#199. Mort Cooper.  Cooper was a four-time All-Star who aided St. Louis to two World Series wins in the 1940s.  He had a career record of 128-75.

#200. Torii Hunter.  Hunter was a five-time All-Star with two Silver Sluggers and nine Gold Gloves.  He had 353 Home Runs.

#201. Dixie Walker.  Walker was a five-time All-Star and led the NL in RBIs in 1945, and won the Batting Title in 1944.  He had 2,064 Hits with a lifetime Batting Average of .306.

#202. Chet Lemon.  Lemon was a three-time All-Star who was part of Detroit’s 1984 World Series winning team.

#203. Gavvy Cravath.  Gravath was a six-time Home Run champion in the 1910s, and while it was only 119 Home Runs, it was impressive for the time.

#204. Bob Shawkey.  Shawkey won 195 Games, most of which with the New York Yankees.  He helped New York win two World Series Championships.

#205. Herman Long.  Long played mostly in the 1890s, accumulating 2,128 Hits with 537 Stolen Bases.

#206. Toby Harrah.  Harrah was a four-time All-Star with 1,956 career Hits.

#207. Kenny Rogers.  Rogers was a four-time All-Star who won a World Series with the Yankees in 1996.  He also won 219 Games and five Gold Gloves.

#208. Bill Madlock.  Madlock won four Batting Titles, was a three-time All-Star and won a World Series with Pittsburgh in 1979.  He has 2,008 Hits with a Batting Average in .305.

#209. Charlie Root.  Root played most of his career with the Cubs, and won 201 Games.

#210. Bobby Shantz.  Shantz won the AL MVP and The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year in 1952.  Winning 119 Games, Shantz was also a three-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner.

#211. Andres Galarraga.  Galarraga was a five-time All-star, two-time Silver, two-time Gold Glove winner who won the NL Batting Title in 1993.  He had 2,333 Hits and 399 Home Runs.

#212. Jack Fournier.  Fournier won the NL Home Run Title in 1924 and had 1,631 Hits with a career Batting Average of .313.

#213. Wally Schang.  Schang had 1,506 Hits and the Catcher was part of four World Series Championships, two with the Philadelphia Athletics and two with the Boston Red Sox.

#214. Harry Breechen.  Breechen was a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series winner with the Cardinals in the 1940s.  He won 132 Games.

#215. Jake Daubert.  Daubert won the NL MVP in 1913 when he played in for Brooklyn, and six years later he was a World Series winner with Cincinnati.  He had 2,336 Hits with a .303 Batting Average.

#216. Theodore Breitenstein.  Breitenstein was one of the top Pitchers of the 1890s. mostly with St. Louis.

#217. Doc White.  White played most of his career with the Chicago White Sox, and he overall won 189 Games.

#218. Jack Stivetts.  Stivetts won 203 Games in a career that was spent mostly in the 1890s, though his best season was in 1889 with the St. Louis Browns.

#219. Eddie Stanky.  Stanky was a three-time All-Star at infield who was a two-time leader in the NL in On Base Percentage.  The longtime Dodger had a lifetime OBP of .410.

#220. Virgil Trucks.  Trucks was a two-time All-Star who won a World Series with Detroit in 1945.  He won 177 Games with 1,534 Strikeouts.

#221. Tony Fernandez.  Fernandez was a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, and the Shortstop had 2,276 Hits.

#222. Andy Messersmith.  Messersmith was a four-time All-Star who won 130 Games with 1,625 Strikeouts and an ERA of 2.86.

#223. Cecil Cooper.  Cooper went to five All-Star Games, and was a three-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glove winner.  He would accumulate 2,192 Hits and 241 Home Runs.

#224. Dom DiMaggio.  DiMaggio played his entire career with the Red Sox where he was a seven-time All-Star.

#225. Brian Giles.  Giles had 1,897 Hits, 297 Home Runs, and was an All-Star twice.

#226. Bob Friend.  Friend was a three-time All-Star with a World Series Championship in 1961 with Pittsburgh.

#227. Jesse Tannehill.  Tannehill recorded 197 Wins in a career mostly in the 1900s.

#228. Tony Phillips.  Phillips had 2,023 Hits and was a World Series winner with Oakland in 1989.  He led the AL in Walks twice.

#229. Wally Berger.  Berger was a four-time All-Star who batted .300 with 242 Home Runs.

#230. Ellis Burks.  Burks was a two-time All-Star who also won two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove.  He had 2,107 Hits with 352 Home Runs.

#231. George Gore.  Gore won the NL Batting Title in 1880 and won two World Series Titles in the late 1880s with the Giants.

#232. Sparky Lyle.  Lyle was a three-time All-Star who won the AL Cy Young in 1977.  That year, he was the closer for the Yankees who won the World Series and did so the season after.  He had 238 Saves.

#233. Harvey Haddix.  Haddix was a three-time All-Star who aided Pittsburgh in their 1961 World Series win.  He won 136 Games with 1,575 Strikeouts.

#234 Pedro Guerrero.  Guerrero was a five-time All-Star who also won a Silver Slugger in 1982.  The year before, he was the World Series MVP in the Dodgers 1981 World Series win.

#235 Javier Vazquez.  Vazquez was a one-time All-Star who won 165 Games with 2,536 Strikeouts.

#236. Davey Lopes.  Lopes was a four-time All-Star who led the NL in Stolen Bases.  He also won one Gold Glove and had 155 Home Runs and 557 Stolen Bases.

#237. Gil McDougald.  McDougald was the 1951 AL Rookie of the Year, and was a five-time All-Star.  Spending his entire career with the Yankees, he won five World Series Rings.

#238. Hank Gowdy.  Gowdy was a World Series Champion with the Boston Braves in 1914, and was in the top ten in Defensive bWAR five times.

#239. Ken Williams.  Williams was the AL Home Run leader in 1922, and is still in the top 100 all-time in Batting Average, On Base Percentage and Slugging Percentage.

#240. George Mullin.  Mullin led the AL in Wins in 1909, and overall would record 228 Wins.

#241. Bill White.  White went to five All-Star Games, and was a seven-time Gold Glove winner.  He helped St. Louis win the 1964 World Series.

#242. Del Pratt.  Pratt led the AL in Power-Speed # twice and Defensive bWAR once.  He had 1,996 career Hits.

#243. Brad Radke.  Radke was an All-Star once with 148 career Wins.

#244. Hardy Richardson.  Richardson was a World Series Champion in 1887 with the Detroit Wolverines and had 1,688 Hits with a lifetime Batting Average of .299.

#245. Jim Perry.  Perry won the AL Cy Young in 1971, and was a three-time All-Star.  He won 215 Games with 1,575 Strikeouts.

#246. Bill Hutchinson.  Hutchinson was a three-time leader in Wins in the 1890s and had 182 Wins in total.

#247. Devon White.  White won seven Gold Gloves, was a three-time All-Star and won three World Series, two with Toronto and one with Florida.

#248. Ed Konetchy.  Konetchy led the NL in Doubles in 1911, and had 2,150 Hits.

#249. Deacon Phillippe.  Phillippe won the World Series in 1909 with Pittsburgh, and he led the NL in WHIP in 1903. He had 189 Wins with a 2.59 ERA.

#250. Lave Cross.  Cross was known for his defensive versatility, but did amass 1,378 RBIs.

#251. Willie McGee.  McGee was the NL MVP in 1985, and was a two-time Batting Champion.  He won one Silver Slugger, three Gold Gloves and was a four-time All-Star who won a World Series with St. Louis in 1982.

#252. Magglio Ordonez.  Ordonez was a six-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and won the AL Batting Title in 2007.  

#253. Babe Herman.  Herman led the NL in Triples in 1932 and has a lifetime Slash Line of .324/.383/.532.

#254. Al Rosen.  Rosen was the AL MVP in 1953, and was a four-time All-Star in a career spent entirely with Cleveland.  

#255. Larry Gardner.  Gardner won four World Series over his career, three with Boston and one with Cleveland, and collected 1,931 Hits.

#256. Roger Peckinpaugh.  Peckinpaugh was the AL MVP in 1925, the year after he helped Washington win the World Series.

#257. Guy Hecker.  Hecker was a rare dual threat who led the AA in ERA in 1884 and the AA Batting Title in 1886.  He won 175 Games.

#258. George Scott.  Scott went to three All-Star Games, won eight Gold Gloves and won the AL Home Run Title in 1975.

#259. Al Orth.  Orth won 204 Games and led the AL in bWAR for Pitchers in 1909.

#260. Dick Groat.  Groat was the NL MVP in 1960 and was a five-time All-Star.  He won two World Series, one with Pittsburgh and one with St. Louis and had 2,138 Hits.

#261. Paul O’Neill.  O’Neill was a five-time All-Star who won the AL Batting Title in 1994.  He won five World Series Titles, one with Cincinnati and four with the Yankees.

#262. Mark Belanger.  Belanger won eight Gold Gloves, led the AL in Defensive bWAR six times and Total Zone Runs three times.   He was an All-Star once and won the World Series with Baltimore in 1970.

#263. Chris Carpenter.  Carpenter was a three-time All-Star and won the NL Cy Young in 2005.  He won 144 Games and two World Series Rings with St. Louis.

#264. Ed Morris.  Morris won 171 Games, and in 1885, he led the AA in bWAR for Pitchers.  

#265. Art Fletcher.  Fletcher led the NL in Defensive bWAR three years in a row (1917-19) and is 12^th all-time in that category.

#266. Bob Welch.  Welch won the AL Cy Young in 1990 and was a two-time All-Star.  He won 211 Games, with 1,969 Strikeouts, and he won two World Series Rings, one with Los Angeles and one with Oakland.

#267. Mike Tiernan.  Tiernan won two World Series Titles with the New York Giants (1888 & 1889), and led the NL in OPS twice.  He had 428 career Stolen Bases with a .311 Batting Average.

#268. David Justice.  Justice was a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger who won a World Series with Atlanta and another with the Yankees.

#269. Larry French.  French was only an All-Star once but won 197 Games.

#270. Jimmy Ryan.  Ryan led the NL in Slugging Percentage in 1888 and had 2,513 Hits with a Batting Average of .308.

#271. Darrell Porter.  Porter was a four-time All-Star at Catcher and was the World Series MVP in St. Louis’s 1982 World Series win.

#272. Jose Rijo.  Rijo led the NL in Strikeouts in 1993, and was the World Series MVP in 1990 when the Reds won the World Series.

#273. Will White.  White won 229 Games and would finish first in that category twice in the AA in the early 1880s.  His 2.09 lifetime ERA is among the top twenty all-time.

#274. Jon Matlack.  Matlack was the 1973 NL Rookie of the Year and was a three-time All-Star Pitcher.

#275. Ken Singleton.  Singleton was a three-time All-Star who won a World Series late in his career with Baltimore in 1983.  He was the runner-up for the AL MVP in 1979.

#276. Mike Garcia.  Garcia was a three-time All-Star who won 142 Games.

#277. Lefty O’Doul.  O’Doul was a two-time Batting Champion who won a World Series with the Giants in 1933.

#278. Lenny Dykstra.  Dykstra was a three-time All-Star, who also won a Silver Slugger in 1993.  He won a World Series Championship with the Mets in 1986.

#279. Jim Sundberg.  Sundberg was a three-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove winner, and a World Series Champion with Kansas City.  He is in the top twenty all-time in Defensive bWAR.

#280. Brian Downing.  Downing was an All-Star once and had 2,089 Hits and 275 Home Runs.

#281. Gary Gaetti.  Gaetti was a two-time All-Star, who also won one Silver Slugger and four Gold Gloves.  He would help Minnesota win the 1987 World Series.

#282. Mel Stottlemyre.  Stottlemyre was a five-time All-Star and the Pitcher was a 20-Game winner three times.

#283. Curt Simmons.  Simmons pitched his way to three All-Star Games, and was a World Series Champion for St. Louis in 1964.

#284. Placido Polanco.  Polanco was twice an All-Star, and was also a one-time Silver Slugger and three-time Gold Glove recipient.  He had 2,142 Hits with a Batting Average of .297.

#285. Sadie McMahon.  McMahon led the AA in Wins twice in the early 1890s and he had 173 career Wins.

#286. Milt Pappas.  Pappas was a two-time All-Star who won 209 Games.

#287. Moises Alou.  Alou was a six-time All-Star with two Silver Sluggers.  Alou won the World Series with Florida in 1997 and had 2,134 Hits with 332 Home Runs and a .303 Batting Average.

#288. Roy White.  White was an All-Star twice who helped the Yankees win two World Series Titles in the 1970s.  He finished in the top ten in Power-Speed # seven times.

#289. Lindy McDaniel.  McDaniel was a three-time NL leader in Saves and two-time leader in Win Probability Added. He had 174 Saves.

#290. Gus Weyhing.  Weyhing won 264 Games with 1,667 Strikeouts in a career spent mostly in the 1890s.

#291. Frank White.  White played all of his career with Kansas City where he was a five-time All-Star, one-time Silver Slugger, eight-time Gold Glove winner and World Series Champion in 1985.  White had 2,006 career Hits.

#292. Amos Otis.  Otis played most of his career with the Royals and was a five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner.  He also led the AL in Doubles twice, Stolen Bases once, and had 2,020 Hits.

#293. Preacher Roe.  Roe was a five-time All-Star who was the NL 1951 TSN Pitcher of the Year.  He won 127 Games.

#294. Fred Tenney.  Tenney had 2,231 Hits with a Batting Average of .294.  He played mostly for the Boston Braves in the 1890s and 1900s.

#295. Steve Finley.  Finley was a two-time All-Star who won a World Series with Arizona.  He had 304 Home Runs.

#296. John Franco.  Franco was a four-time All-Star and a three-time NL leader in Saves.  He recorded 424 Saves over his career.

#297. Dan Haren.  Haren was a three-time All-Star who won 153 Games.

#298. Augie Galan.  Galan was a three-time All-Star and was twice the NL leader in Stolen Bases.  He had 1,706 Hits.

#299. Red Lucas.  Lucas won 157 Games, collected 404 Hits and led the NL in WHIP in 1929.

#300. Jim Gilliam.  Gilliam was a two-time All-Star who won four World Series Titles with the Dodgers.  He was also the 1953 NL Rookie of the Year.

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Take a look at the new entries and cast your votes and offer your opinions.

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We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the new Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman Awards, which honor the best reliever of the league.  Some time ago, we looked at the World Series MVP, but we never looked at ALCS or NLCS MVP.  We will now.

For whatever reason, the National League awarded an MVP three years before the American League (1977 to 1980).

So how many League Championship Series MVPs have made the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won either the ALCS or NLCS MVP who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates, First Base 1979 NL            

Named the National League MVP this year (though he probably shouldn’t have been), Willie Stargell earned every bit of his NLCS MVP.  In the three-game sweep over Cincinnati, Stargell batted .455 with two Home Runs and six RBIS, and his OPS was 1.753.  He followed that up by leading the Pirates to a World Series win where he had three Home Runs, seven Runs Batted In with a .400 Batting Average. Stargell’s skills fell off a cliff afterward, but he retired with 2,232 Hits, 937 Home Runs and 1,936 RBIs.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

George Brett, Kansas City Royals, Third Base 1985 AL            

George Brett is by far the best player in Royals history, and that would have been already the case by 1985. Brett was already a past MVP (1980), and this was year 10 of 13 in consecutive All-Star Game years.  This season, Brett was second in MVP voting, and a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.  In the ALCS against Toronto, he batted .348 with three Home Runs, five RBIS and a 1.326 OPS and he led the Royals to their first World Series win. Brett retired in 1993 with 3,154 Hits, 317 Home Runs and a lifetime Batting Average of .305.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals, Shortstop 1985 NL            

Ozzie Smith is considered by many to be the best defensive player in baseball and in 1985 he was in his prime.  In the 1985 NLCS, “The Wizard” batted .435 with a Game 5 walk-off Home Run.  Smith and the Cardinals lost to Kansas City in the World Series, but he already was a champion from 1982.  Smith played until 1996, in a career spent entirely in St. Louis. He was a 15-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove recipient and he is the all-time leader in Defensive bWAR (44.2).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Dennis Eckersley, Oakland Athletics, Pitcher 1988 AL            

Eckersley had been a decent Starting Pitcher for over a decade, and this was Eckersley second year as a reliever, but the first where he was a star in this new role.  This year, Eckersley led the American League in Saves (45) and was second in Cy Young voting.  In the ALCS against Boston, he appeared in four Games, gaining four Saves with a 0.00 ERA and 0.500 WHIP.  Eckersley became the first Relief Pitcher to win an LCS MVP.  Oakland lost to Los Angeles in the World Series, but Eckersley got that ring the next year.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Kirby Puckett, Minnesota Twins, Outfield 1991 AL            

Playing all 12 years of his career with the Twins, Kirby Puckett won two World Series Rings, and was a ten-time All-Star.  Puckett was in year-eight, and in the 1991 ALCS, Puckett batted .429 with a 1.197 OPS and two Home Runs.  Over his career, Puckett accumulated 2,304 Hits, 207 Home Runs with a .318 Batting Average.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Roberto Alomar, Toronto Blue Jays, Second Base 1992 AL            

Roberto Alomar won Toronto’s first ALCS MVP, and it was fitting as it was the trade two years earlier from San Diego that brought him and Joe Carter to Toronto.  Alomar was in year three of twelve consecutive All-Star appearances, and in this ALCS he batted .423 with two Home Runs and four RBIs with a 1.157 OPS.  The Jays won their first World Series that year, and Alomar helped them win another the following season.  Alomar played 17 years in the Majors who won 10 Gold Gloves and batted an even .300.   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves, Pitcher 1992 NL            

This was early in Smoltz’ career, and while he was an All-Star for the second time, his best was yet to come. Smoltz went 2-0 in their series win over Pittsburgh, starting three games with a 2.66 ERA.  The Braves lost the World Series to Toronto, but he would get his championship in 1995.  He would win the National League Cy Young in 1996 and over his long career he had a 213-155 record with 3,084 Strikeouts.   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, Pitcher 2003 AL            

Mariano Rivera was already the best closer in Baseball and it wasn’t even close.  Rivera already won the World Series four times, and this season he continued his greatness.  In this ALCS, Rivera pitched in four Games, winning one, saving two, over eight Innings. He would have an ERA of 1.12 and WHIP of 0.625.  The Yankees lost the 2003 World Series to Florida but Rivera earned his fifth title in 2009.  Rivera retired as the all-time leader in Games Finished (952), Saves (652) and ERA+ (205).     

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Ivan Rodriguez, Florida Marlins, Catcher 2003 NL            

Ivan Rodriguez played his first dozen seasons in Texas where he was the best Catcher in the 1990s.  It was a strange sight to see “Pudge” change uniforms and sign with the Marlins in 2003 as a Free Agent, but it was in this single season in Florida where he won his only World Series Ring.  In the NLCS, I-Rod batted .321 with an OPS od 1.031 in what would be forever known as the “Bartman” series against the Cubs, and he added two Home Runs with ten RBIs.  Rodriguez would then play with Detroit for four years, adding four more All-Star Games to his resume.  He finished his career with brief stops in New York (AL), Houston, Texas and Washington. The career numbers for Rodriguez were spectacular for a Catcher; 2,844 Hits, 311 Home Runs, 1,474 RBIs and a .296 Batting Average

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

The following are the players who have won either the ALCS or NLCS MVP who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Dusty Baker, Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield, 1977 NL            

This was Baker’s second year with the Dodgers and his first playoff series.  Baker had two Home Runs, including a Grand Slam, and he drove in eight Runs with an OPS of 1.295.  Los Angeles would lose the World Series to the New York Yankees that year, but Baker would get that ring with L.A. in 1981.  The two-time All-Star would later win three Manager of the Year Awards.  

Eligible Since 1992.  Baker was on the ballot for one year in 1992 and received 0.9% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com  

Steve Garvey, Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base, 1978 NL             

Steve Garvey was in his prime, with 1978 seeing the First Baseman go to fifth of eight straight All-Star Games, and he was the runner-up for the MVP.  In this NLCS, Garvey belted four Home Runs with 8 RBIs with an OPS of 1.611.  Garvey and the Dodgers sputtered against New York, but he won his elusive ring in 1981 with L.A.  

Eligible Since 1992.  Garvey was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 41.2% in 1998.  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Frank White, Kansas City Royals, Second Base, 1980 AL            

In Kansas City’s three-game sweep over the Yankees, White batted .545 with a Home Run and three RBIs.  His OPS was 1.455.  The Royals lost the World Series to Philadelphia but he would win one in 1985 when the Royals beat St. Louis.  

Eligible Since 1996. White was on the ballot for one year in 1996 and received 3.8% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com  

Manny Trillo, Philadelphia Phillies, Second Base, 1980 NL            

Trillo had already won a World Series Ring with the Oakland Athletics, and this year, Trillo batted .381 with four RBIs, and Philadelphia went on to beat Kansas City in the World Series.  Trillo would be an All-Star the next three seasons, and he retired in 1989 with 1,562 Hits.  

Eligible Since 1995.  Trillo was on the ballot for one year in 1995 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com  

Graig Nettles, New York Yankees, Third Base, 1981 AL            

Prior to 1981, Nettles has gone to five All-Star Games and won two World Series Rings in the 70s with the Yankees.  This year, Nettles had the best playoff series of his career, batting .500 with a 1.488 OPS with one Home Run and nine RBIs.  New York would lose to Los Angeles in that year’s World Series.

Eligible Since 1994.  Nettles was on the ballot for four years finishing as high as 7.9% in 1996.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Burt Hooton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher, 1981 NL            

Hooton became the first Pitcher to win an LCS MVP, and he did so in a year where he was an All-Star for the first and only time.  Against the Montreal Expos, Hooton took to the mound twice, throwing 14.2 Innings without allowing a run.  He went 2-0 with seven Strikeouts, and he helped the Dodgers win the World Series, where he went 1-1.  Hooton had a career record of 151-136, most of which as a Dodger.  

Eligible Since 1991. Hooton was on the ballot for one year in 1991 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com  

Fred Lynn, California Angels, Outfield, 1982 AL            

Lynn was in his second year in California but it was his eighth on nine consecutive All-Star seasons. The Angels had not yet gone to World Series, and that didn’t change in 1982, as California lost in five Games to Milwaukee.  This made Lynn the first player to win an LCS MVP on the losing side.  Lynn’s stats could not be denied, as he batted .611 with a Home Run, five RBIs and a 1.539 OPS.  

Eligible Since 1996.  Lynn was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 5.5% in 1996.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com 

Darrell Porter, St. Louis Cardinals, Catcher, 1982 NL            

Darrell Porter was a four-time All-Star, spending time with Milwaukee and Kansas City.  1982 was Porter’s second season in St. Louis and in the three-game sweep of Atlanta to win the NLCS, Porter batted .556 with three Doubles and a 1.603 OPS.  He would also win the World Series MVP that year.  

Eligible Since 1993. Porter was on the ballot for one year in 1993 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com  

Mike Boddicker, Baltimore Orioles, Pitcher, 1983 AL            

Mike Boddicker was the first player to win an LCS MVP as a rookie, and he was also third in Rookie of the Year voting.  In the ALCS win over Chicago, Boddicker had a Complete Game Shutout.  The Orioles won the World Series, where Boddicker won a Game. He would have an overall record of 134-116, with stops in Boston, Kansas City and Milwaukee.  

Eligible Since 1999.  Boddicker was on the ballot for one year in 1999 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Gary Matthews, Philadelphia Phillies, Outfield, 1983 NL            

The National League Rookie of the Year in 1973 with San Francisco, Matthews was in his third and final year in Philadelphia.  In the NLCS, Matthews batted .429 with three Home Runs, eight RBIs with a 1.571 OPS. He joined the Cubs after and played until 1987, retiring as a Seattle Mariner.  Overall, Matthews had 234 Home Runs with 2,011 Hits.  

Eligible Since 1993. Matthews was on the ballot for one year in 1993 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Kirk Gibson, Detroit Tigers, Outfield, 1984 AL            

Kirk Gibson helped the Tigers win the World Series this year in what was the first of five straight 24-plus Home Run Seasons.  Detroit swept Kansas City in the ALCS with Gibson batting .417 with an OPS of 1.250.  Gibson would later win the National League MVP in 1988, and that year he belted one of the most famous Home Runs in Dodgers history in their World Series win over Oakland.

Eligible Since 2001. Gibson was on the ballot for one year in 2001 finishing with 2.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Steve Garvey, San Diego Padres, First Base, 1984, NL (2)            

Now a San Diego Padre, Garvey was still a productive hitter, and he was an All-Star for the ninth time. Garvey hit a walk-off Home Run in Game 4, and batted .400 with 7 RBIs in the five-game series win over the Chicago Cubs. Sadly, Garvey and San Diego were destroyed by the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, and this was Garvey’s last taste of the playoffs.

Eligible Since 1992. Garvey was on the ballot for fifteen years finishing as high as 41.2% in 1998.  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Marty Barrett, Boston Red Sox, Second Base, 1986, AL             

Barrett had his best year in baseball with a career-high in Hits (179) and OPS (.733).  In the ALCS, Barrett batted .367 with five RBIs, and by winning the ALCS MVP, he won his only individual award.  The Red Sox went on to lose to the New York Mets in the World Series, and you all likely know the story there.

Eligible Since 1997. Although Barrett was Hall of Fame eligible in 1997, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Mike Scott, Houston Astros, Pitcher, 1986, NL             

Mike Scott was an All-Star for the first time in his career, and he won the Cy Young, leading the NL in ERA (2.22), Innings Pitched (275.1), ERA+ (161), FIP (2.16), WHIP (0.923), H/9 (5.9), SO/9 (10.0) and SO/BB (4.25).  Without Scott, the Astros would not have made the playoffs, and Scott was again electric in the NLCS against the Mets.  He pitched two games, winning both, and only allowing one run in two complete games, with a 0.500 WHIP.  Despite his performance, the Mets were too much for Houston, and Scott became the second person to win an LCS MVP on the losing side.  Scott went to appear in two more All-Star Games, and finished second for the Cy Young in 1989.  He would have an overall career record of 124-108 with 1,316 Strikeouts. 

Eligible Since 1997. Scott was on the ballot for one year and received 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Gary Gaetti, Minnesota Twins, Third Base, 1987, AL             

Gary Gaetti was coming off one of his best seasons, where he had 31 Home Runs, 109 RBIs and won a Gold Glove. Gaetti and the Twins beat the Tigers in five, with the Third Baseman batting .300 with a .998 OPS and two Home Runs and five RBIs.  Minnesota beat St. Louis for their first World Series win that year, and Gaetti would later go to All-Star Games.  Gaetti later played for California, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago (NL) and Boston, retiring in 2000 with 2,280 Hits, 360 Home Runs and 1,341 RBIs.

Eligible Since 2006.  Gaetti was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Jeffrey Leonard, San Francisco Giants, Outfield, 1987, NL            

This was the eleventh year that Leonard was in the Majors, but the first for the Outfielder as an All-Star. The Giants lost the NLCS and for the first time we had back-to-back NLCS MVPS from the losing side.  Leonard had four Home Runs, five RBIS, batted .417 with an OPS of 1.417.  Leonard played four more years, finishing off his career with Milwaukee and Seattle.

Eligible Since 1996.  Leonard was on the ballot for one year but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher, 1988, NL            

1988 was a dream season for Hershiser as he won the Cy Young, the Gold Glove, the World Series, World Series MVP, and for the purposes of this article, the NLCS MVP.  In this series against the Mets, Hershiser appeared in four Games, starting three, and going 1-0, with a 1.09 ERA and a Save.  

Eligible Since 2006.  Hershiser was on the ballot for two years finishing as high as 11.2% in 2006.  Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Will Clark, San Francisco, First Base, 1989, NL             

Will “The Thrill” Clark was at his best in the late 80s, with 1989 seeing him finish second in MVP voting with a .333 Batting Average with 23 Home Runs and 111 RBIs.  Clark batted .650 with a pair of Home Runs and eight RBIs with an OPS of 1.882.  The World Series was not as good for the Giants as they were swept by Oakland. Clark would have a very good career with 2,176 Hits, 284 Home Runs and a .303 Batting Average.

Eligible Since 2006. Clark was on the ballot for one year and received 4.4% of the vote.  Ranked #50 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Dave Stewart, Oakland Athletics, Pitcher, 1990, AL             

The ace of Oakland’s staff when they were the beasts of the American League in the late 80s and early 90s, Dave Stewart, won the World Series MVP the year before, and he brought them to another one in 1990.  In this year’s ALCS, Stewart went 2-0 against Boston with a 1.13 ERA and 0.625 WHIP.  

Eligible Since 2001. Stewart was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 7.4% in 2001.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Randy Myers, Cincinnati Reds, Pitcher, 1990, NL (co-winner)          

For the first time in LCS MVP history, we have dual winners.  The first is Randy Myers, who had already won a World Series ring with the New York Mets in 1986.  This was Myers’ first season in Cincinnati, and he was named to his first All-Star Game and was second in Saves (31) and fifth in Cy Young voting.  In the NLCS, Myers appeared in four games, saving three without allowing a run.  He would later go to three more All-Star Games; two with Chicago (NL) and one with Baltimore.  Myers retired in 1998 with 347 Saves.  

Eligible Since 2004. Myers was on the ballot for one year in 2004 and finished with 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Rob Dibble, Cincinnati Reds, Pitcher, 1990, NL (co-winner)          

For the first time in LCS MVP history, we have dual winners.  The second is Rob Dibble, part of the “Nasty Boys” relievers of the Reds in 1990.  Dibble was an All-Star this year and the one after.  In the NLCS, Dibble pitched in four games, recording one Save without allowing a run.  Dibble had 89 career Saves.

Eligible Since 2001. Dibble did not play the minimum ten years to qualify for the Hall.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Steve Avery, Atlanta Braves, Pitcher, 1991, NL           

Avery was in his second year in the game, where his 18-8 season helped get Atlanta to the playoffs.  In the NLCS, Avery won both of his starts, pitching 16.1 shutout innings.  He was not as effective in the World Series, and Atlanta lost to Minnesota.  Avery and the Braves would win it all in 1995.

Eligible Since 2009. Although Avery was eligible for the Hall in 2009, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Dave Stewart, Toronto Blue Jays, Pitcher, 1993, AL (2)            

Stewart was no longer an ace, but he brought a veteran presence to a Blue Jays team looking to get over the hump.  The crafty Pitcher took what he had left to go 2-0 in the ALCS against Chicago with a 2.03 ERA.  

Eligible Since 2001. Stewart was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 7.4% in 2001.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Curt Schilling, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitcher, 1993, NL            

Schilling went 16-7 this year, and it would be a harbinger for great seasons to come.  This was Schilling’s first post-season series, and although he did not gain a decision in two starts and 16 Innings, his ERA was only 1.69. Philadelphia lost to Toronto in the World Series, but Schilling later won three World Series Titles, one with Arizona and two with Boston.  Overall, the six-time All-Star had a 216-156 record with 3,116 Strikeouts.  

Eligible Since 2013.  Schilling has been on the ballot for eight years and has finished as high as 70.0% in 2020.  Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Orel Hershiser, Cleveland Indians, Pitcher, 1995, AL (2)            

Hershiser’s Cy Young contending days were behind him, but he could still contribute to starting rotation.  Now with Cleveland, Hershiser went 2-0 in 14.1 Innings with a 1.29 ERA and 0.857 WHIP.  He would not get a second World Series ring, as the Indians would lose to Atlanta. Hershiser would have a 204-150 record with 2,014 Strikeouts.

Eligible Since 2006. Hershiser was on the ballot for two years finishing as high as 11.2% in 2006.  Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Mike Deveraux, Atlanta Braves, Outfield, 1995, NL             

Mike Deveraux played a dozen years in the Majors, and only for a brief time in Atlanta, but it was there where he earned his only individual award and a World Series Ring.  Deveraux was traded from the White Sox late in the 1995 Season and in the NLCS he batted .308 with a Home Run and five RBIs.  

Eligible Since 2004.  Although Deveraux was eligible for the Hall in 2004 he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.   

Bernie Williams, New York Yankees, Outfield, 1996, AL             

The Yankees run of dominance began this year, and for this matter, this is was when Bernie Williams’s peak started.  Williams batted .474 with two Home Runs, six RBIs and an OPS of 1.531.  New York would win the World Series and following this, Williams went to five straight All-Star Games and aided New York in winning three more titles.  Williams played his entire career with the Yanks, and would collect 2,336 Hits, 287 Home Runs, 1,257 RBIs with a .297 Batting Average.  

Eligible Since 2012.  Williams was on the ballot for two years and he finished as high as 9.6% in 2012.  Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Javy Lopez, Atlanta Braves, Catcher, 1996, NL             

A World Series winner the year before, Lopez helped the Braves reach the World Series again in 1996, though they lost to the Yankees.  In the ALCS, the Catcher batted .542 with two Home Runs, six RBIs and an OPS of 1.607. Lopez would later go to three All-Star Games, and he would have 1,527 career Hits with 260 Home Runs.  

Eligible Since 2012.  Lopez was on the ballot for one year in 2012 and finished with 0.2% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com  

Marquis Grissom, Cleveland Indians, Outfield, 1997, AL            

Prior to 1997, Marquis Grissom went to two All-Star Games as a Montreal Expo, and won a World Series with Atlanta.  In 1997, Grissom was with Cleveland, a team he only spent one year with.  In the ALCS, Grissom hit the game-winning Home Run in Game 2, stole three bases and batted .261.  He would leave Cleveland for Milwaukee, and later play for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco.  Grissom retired in 2005 with 2,251 Hits and 429 Stolen Bases.  

Eligible Since 2011. Grissom was on the ballot for one year in 2011 and finished with 0.7% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Livan Hernandez, Florida Marlins, Pitcher, 1997, NL             

Hernandez was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year, and he had a lot of consolation for not winning, as the Marlins won the World Series that year.  Hernandez played a huge role in that, winning the NLCS MVP off a 2-0 record with a 0.84 ERA and 0.656 WHIP.  Hernandez again went 2-0 in the World Series, winning that MVP (though his other stats were terrible), but he is one of the few players to win the NLCS and World Series MVP in the same season.  Hernandez went on to have a long career, posting a 178-177 record with 1,976 Strikeouts. 

Eligible Since 2018. Grissom was on the ballot for one year in 2018 and finished with 0.2% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

David Wells, New York Yankees, Pitcher, 1998, AL             

A popular player everywhere he went, David Wells was already a World Series winner with the Blue Jays in 1992, and after stops in Detroit, Cincinnati and Baltimore, he signed with the New York Yankees in 1997.  In 1998, Wells was an All-Star for the second time, with an 18-4 record and a third-place in Cy Young voting.  In this year’s ALCS, Wells won both of his starts against Cleveland, throwing 15.2 Innings with a 2.87 ERA.

Eligible Since 2013. Wells was on the ballot for one year in 2013 and finished with 0.9% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Sterling Hitchcock, San Diego Padres, Pitcher, 1998, NL             

Hitchcock started two games in the NLCS where he won both games allowing only one run over ten Innings. The Padres beat Atlanta to advance but they were destroyed by the Yankees.  This was Hitchcock’s only award in a 13-year career where he had a 74-76 record.   He also played with the Yankees and St. Louis. 

Eligible Since 2010.  Although Hitchcock was eligible for the Hall in 2010 he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Orlando Hernandez, New York Yankees, Pitcher, 1999, AL            

Hernandez played nine seasons in the Majors where his best season was this year, 1999, his second in baseball.  With a 17-9 record, Hernandez’ ALCS saw him have two starts with a 1-0 record and 1.80 ERA. The Yankees went on to win the World Series, which was Hernandez’ second.  He added a third next year, giving him three World Series Rings in four seasons.  Hernandez later played for Chicago, Arizona and the New York Mets. 

Eligible Since 2013. Hernandez did not play the mandatory ten years to qualify for the Hall.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Eddie Perez, Atlanta Braves, Catcher, 1999, NL             

Eddie Perez is an unlikely LCS MVP winner as we have a player who never had a 100 Hit year and his lifetime OBP was under three.  Nevertheless, in the 1999 ALCS, Perez was fantastic in the series against the Mets, where he batted .500 with two Home Runs, five RBIs and an OPS 1.424.

Eligible Since 2011. Although Perez was eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2011, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

David Justice, New York Yankees, Outfield, 2000, AL             

David Justice was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1990, and won a World Series in 1995 with Atlanta.  Justice began the 2000 Season with the Cleveland Indians and was traded to the Yankees for their playoff run.  Justice only batted .238, but had two Home Runs and eight RBIs in New York’s ALCS win over Seattle.  He played two more seasons in the Majors, concluding with the “Moneyball” year of 2002. Justice had 305 Home Runs with a Slugging Percentage of .500.

Eligible Since 2008. Justice was on the ballot for one year and received 0.2% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Mike Hampton, New York Mets, Pitcher, 2000, NL             

Mike Hampton was only with the Mets for one season, having been traded from Houston after he was second for the Cy Young.  It was a decent year, as he went 15-10, and then 2-0 in the NLCS.  Hampton did not allow a run in the series over 16 Innings. The Mets lost the World Series to the Yankees, and Hampton lost his own start.  He signed with the Colorado Rockies in the off-season as a Free Agent. Hampton never was great again, but he toiled in the big leagues until 2010 and retired with a 148-115 record with 1,487 Strikeouts.

Eligible Since 2016. Hampton was on the ballot for one year but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees, Pitcher, 2001, AL             

Andy Pettitte had already won four World Series rings by this point, and this year he was an All-Star for the second time.  In the ALCS against Seattle, Pettitte went 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA and a sub-one WHIP. Pettitte would be rocked by Arizona in his two starts in the World Series, and they lost to the Diamondbacks. Pettitte would later win a fifth ring with the Yankees in 2009, and he had an overall record of 256-156 with 2,448 Strikeouts.

Eligible Since 2019.  Pettitte has been on the ballot for two years and has finished as high as 11.3% in 2020.  Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Craig Counsell, Arizona Diamondbacks, Second Base, 2001, NL             

Already a World Series winner with Florida Marlins in 1997, Craig Counsell was in another situation to help a new team win it all with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.  In the NLCS, Counsell batted .381 with three Doubles and eight RBIs.  Arizona would win the World Series that year, and Counsell stayed with the D-Backs until 2003.  He would later play for Milwaukee, Arizona again and then returned to Milwaukee, retiring in 2011 with 1,208 Hits.

Eligible Since 2017. Although Counsell was Hall of Fame eligible in 2017 he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Adam Kennedy, Anaheim Angels, Second Base, 2002, AL             

This was Adam Kennedy’s fourth year in the Majors, and it would be the only time that he batted over .300 (.312).  The Infielder batted .357 with a 1.357 OPS, blasting three Home Runs.  The Angels went on to win the World Series, and this would be toe only title of Kennedy’s career.  He would later play for St. Louis, Oakland, Washington, Seattle and the Dodgers and left the game with 1,488 Hits.

Eligible Since 2018. Although Kennedy was Hall of Fame eligible in 2017 he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Benito Santiago, San Francisco Giants, Catcher, 2002, NL             

When Santiago was with San Diego, he went to four straight All-Star Games (1989-92).  Six teams and ten years later, Santiago was again an All-Star, now with the San Francisco Giants.  The Catcher batted .300 with two Home Runs and six RBIs in the NLCS, but the Giants would go on to lose to the Angels in the World Series.  Santiago had 1,830 Hits and 217 Home Runs over his 20-year career.

Eligible Since 2011. Santiago was on the ballot for one year and received 0.2% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox, First Base, 2005, AL             

Konerko was already beloved in Chicago, but the slugger’s 2005 playoff performance made him an icon. Konerko was an All-Star for the second time in 2005, and he smacked 40 Home Runs that year, the second best of his career.  In the ALCS against the Angels, Konerko has a pair of Home Runs with a .286 Batting Average, and he later helped them sweep the Astros in the World Series.  Konerko will overall smack 439 Home Runs, 1,412 RBIs with 2,340 Hits.

Eligible Since 2020. Konerko was on the ballot for one year and received 2.5% of the ballot.  Ranked #86 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros, Pitcher, 2005, NL             

Oswalt was the ace of the Astros staff, winning a league-leading 20 Games and finishing third in Cy Young voting.  In the playoffs, the Astros beat St. Louis, with Oswalt winning both starts with a 1.28 ERA and 12 Strikeouts in 14 Innings.  The hurler stayed with the Astros until he was traded to the Phillies during the 2010 Season, and he finished his career with Texas and Colorado, retiring in 2013.  Oswalt was only a three-time All-Star, but he finished in the top six in Cy Young voting seven times, and had a 163-102 record.

Eligible Since 2019.  Oswalt was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the ballot.  Ranked #105 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers, Pitcher, 2006, AL             

Polanco played 16 years in the Majors, with five of them in Detroit.  It was as a Tiger when he had his first All-Star Game appearance, and his lone Silver Slugger and two of three Gold Gloves.  In the 2006 ALCS sweep of Oakland, Polanco batted .529 with nine Hits, but he was 0-17 in that year’s World Series.  Polanco amassed 2,142 Hits over his career.

Eligible Since 2019.  Polanco was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com  

Jeff Suppan, St, Louis Cardinals, Pitcher, 2006, NL             

Suppan had a long career in the Majors, spanning 17 years where he was mostly a middle-of-the-rotation Starter, though it is evident that his best years were with the Cardinals (2004-07). In the 2006 NLCS, Suppan pitched twice, winning one, and allowing only one run on 15 Innings.  The Cardinals would go on to win that year’s World Series.

Eligible Since 2019. Polanco was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox, Pitcher, 2007, AL             

When it mattered the most, Beckett was at his brightest.  In 2003, Beckett won the World Series MVP with the Marlins when they again shocked the baseball world.  Beckett signed with the BoSox in 2007, and that year he went 409 in the playoffs including two wins in the ALCS where he had a 1.93 ERA.  The Red Sox went on to beat Colorado in the World Series, and Beckett had a career record of 138-106.

Eligible Since 2020. Beckett was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers, Outfield, 2010, AL             

Hamilton was in year two of his five consecutive All-Stars, and he was a year away from winning the MVP. The Outfielder smacked four Home Runs and batted .350 in Texas’ six-game series win over New York, but the Rangers fell to San Francisco in the World Series.  Hamilton had an even 200 Home Runs over his career.

Eligible Since 2021. Hamilton did not play the minimum 10 years, and will likely not be on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Cody Ross, San Francisco Giants, Outfield, 2010, NL             

Ross was traded from the Florida Marlins during the season, and he batted .350 with three Home Runs in the NLCS.  The Giants would win the World Series, which would be Ross’s only title.  He bounced around the Majors until 2015, and had 904 total Hits.

Eligible Since 2021.  Although Ross was eligible for the Hall in 2021, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Delmon Young, Detroit Tigers, Outfield, 2012, AL             

This was arguably Young’s last good year in the Majors, and the last of two with Detroit.  In the 2012 ALCS against New York, he had a pair of Home Runs, six RBIs and a 1.186 OPS.  Young also played for Tampa, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Eligible Since 2021. Although Young was eligible for the Hall in 2021, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

Marco Scutaro, San Francisco Giants, Shortstop, 2012, NL             

Scutaro was traded from Colorado during the year, and this was his 11^thMajor League season. The Infielder batted .500 in the NLCS against the Cardinals with four RBIs.  The Giants would win the World Series, and in the following year, Scutaro was an All-Star for the only time.  He would have 1,355 career Hits. 

Eligible Since 2020. Although Scutaro was eligible for the Hall in 2021, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.  

 

Let’s update our tally, shall we?      

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Art Ross	100%	100%
NHL Hart Trophy	93.6%	96.3%
NBA Finals MVP	91.3%	94.9%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NHL Ted Lindsay Award	90.0%
NBA All-Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL Bert Bell Award	73.7%	71.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NFL AP MVP	68.3%	74.0%
NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year	66.7%	66.7%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award	60.0%	60.0%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NHL Vezina	57.1%	66.3%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
NHL Calder Trophy	46.5%	46.5%
NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award	46.0%	46.0%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL King Clancy Award	36.8%	36.8%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB World Series MVP	33.3%	36.8%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB Delivery Man of the Year	25.0%	50.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB Comeback Player of the Year	25.0%	25.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NHL William M. Jennings Trophy	20.7%	40.4%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB Rolaids Reliever of the Year	18.6%	33.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB NLCS/ALCS MVP	16.1%	15.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won either the ALCS MVP or NLCS MVP in MLB who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame: 

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, Designated Hitter, 2004, AL             

The Boston Red Sox had been “cursed” ever since they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919, and this looked to be much of the same, as the Yanks went up 3-0 in the ALCS.  The ghosts of the past were flying over Boston, but something magical was in the air.  The Red Sox won the next four, and then went on to sweep the Cardinals to win the World Series.  In this ALCS, Ortiz had three Home Runs, 11 RBIs and an OPS of 1.199.  Ortiz won two more World Series Rings with the Red Sox (2007 & 2013) and would smack 541 Home Runs with 1,768 career RBIs.    

Eligible in 2022.

Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies, Outfield, 2006, NL             

2006 was Holliday’s third Major League season, but it was his breakout campaign with a 34 HR/.334 year.  The Rockies destroyed Arizona in the NLCS with Holliday hitting a pair of taters and batting .333.  Holliday’s Rockies failed to win the World Series, but later in his career as a Cardinal, he won a ring in 2011.  He would be a six-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and won the 2007 Batting Title. Holliday finished his career with 2,096 Hits, 316 Home Runs, 1,220 RBIs and a lifetime .299 Batting Average.    

Eligible in 2024.

Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays, Pitcher, 2008, AL             

Garza was in his third year in baseball, but it was his first as a regular Staring Pitcher, and also his first in Tampa, as he was with Minnesota the two years previous.  Garza had an 11-9 Regular Season record, and won both his starts against Boston in the ALCS where he had a 1.38 ERA in 13 Inning.  He would later pitch for Chicago (NL), Texas and Milwaukee and retired with a 93-106 record with 1,380 Strikeouts.

Eligible in 2023.

C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees, Pitcher, 2009, AL             

Sabathia won the Cy Young Award as a Cleveland Indian in 2007, and in 2009, he was in Yankee pinstripes, leading the AL in Wins (19), and finishing fourth in Cy Young voting.  In the 2009 ALCS, Sabathia won both of his starts and had 1.13 ERA, and New York went on to defeat Philadelphia in the World Series. Sabathia played ten more years with New York and retired with 3,093 Strikeouts and a 251-161 Record.

Eligible in 2025.

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies, First Base, 2009, NL             

Howard had already won two Batting Titles, and in 2009, he was close with 45 taters, and was third in MVP voting.  In this year’s NLCS, he batted .333 with two Home Runs and eight RBIs, but the Phillies lost to New York in the World Series. Howard played his entire career with the Phillies, blasting 382 Home Runs and 1,194 RBIs.

Eligible in 2025.

David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals, Third Base, 2011, NL             

2011 was Freese’s breakout year, though mostly due to the 2011 playoffs.  Freese hit safely in 13 straight playoff games, and in the NLCS, he batted .545 with three Home Runs and nine RBIs against the Milwaukee Brewers.  In that year’s World Series, Freese again won the MVP, and was the hero in Game 6 and 7.  Freese would later play for Los Angeles (AL), Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles (NL) and had 1,041 career Hits.

Eligible in 2025.

Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox, Pitcher, 2013, AL             

Japanese Pitcher, Koji Uehara, did not debut in the Majors until he was 34, first with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009.  After a stop in Texas, Uehara went to Boston, working late relief and recording 21 Saves in 2013.  In that year’s ALCS, Uehara appeared in five Games, saving three and not allowing a run in six Innings of work.  The Red Sox won the World Series, with Uehara again appearing in five Games without an Earned Run.  He had 95 career Saves.

Eligible in 2023.

Alcides Escobar, Kansas City Royals, Shortstop, 2015, AL             

Escobar was an All-Star and Gold Glove this year, which was the only time he won either.  In the ALCS, Escobar batted .478 with five RBIs, and the Royals advanced to win the World Series over the Mets.  Escobar played until 2018, and he accumulated 1,367 Hits.

Eligible in 2024.

Daniel Murphy, New York Mets, Second Base, 2015, NL             

Daniel Murphy was an All-Star in 2014, 2016 and 2017, but in 2015, he batted .529 with four Home Runs, propelling the Mets over Cubs in the NLCS.  The Infielder’s Mets lost in the World Series to Kansas City, and Murphy later played for Washington, Chicago (NL) and Colorado.  Murphy accrued 1,572 Hits over his career.

Eligible in 2026.

Howie Kendrick, Washington Nationals, First Base, 2019, NL             

Howie Kendrick debuted in 2006, was an All-Star in 2011, and while this was the tail end of his career, it was in 2019 that he had his greatest playoff success.  In the Nationals NLCS against St. Louis, Kendrick batted .333 with four RBIs, and Washington went on to win their first World Series by beating Houston in seven.

Eligible in 2026.

 

The following are the past players who have won either the ALCS or NLCS MVP who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and are still active.

Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base, 2004, NL             

Pujols was already an established star, as he led the NL in Runs Scored (133) for the second straight year, and also belted 46 Home Runs with 123 RBIs and an OPS of 1.072.  The Cardinals beat Houston in seven, with Pujols batting .500 with 4 Home Runs and 9 RBIs. The Cards would fall to the Boston Red Sox in four in the World Series.  Pujols and the Cardinals would win the 2006 and 2011 World Series, and he would win the National League MVP in 2005, 2008 & 2009.  The future first ballot Hall of Famer signed with the Angels in 2012.    

41 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitcher, 2008, NL             

Hamels was in his third season and he led the NL in WHIP (1.082) and he had a 14-10 record with 196 Strikeouts.  In the NLCS, Hamels went 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA, and he was also the World Series MVP when the Phillies beat Tampa.

37 Years Old, Free Agent.

Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers, Outfield, 2011, AL             

Cruz hit 28 Home Runs this year, and he smacked another six in the ALCS against Detroit.  He also had 13 RBIs with a 1.273 OPS.  Cruz currently has well over 400 career Home Runs.

40 Years Old, Playing for the Minnesota Twins.

Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals, Pitcher, 2013, NL             

Wacha was a rookie, who appeared in 15 Games, starting nine and posting a 4-1 Record.  It looked like he arrived in the 2013 NLCS, winning both starts and pitching 13.2 Innings of shutout baseball.  Wacha did not fare as well in the World Series (1-1 7.45 ERA), and the Cardinals lost to the Red Sox.  He was an All-Star in 2015.

29 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Lorenzo Cain, Kansas City Royals, Outfield, 2014, AL             

Cain had a breakout year, batting ,301 with 28 Stolen Bases, and the spark plug batted .533 against the Orioles in the ALCS.  The Royals lost to San Francisco in the World Series, but Cain was good, collecting four RBIs with a .308 Average.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants, Pitcher, 2014, NL             

If Madison Bumgarner ever gets close to the Baseball Hall of Fame, it will be based on what he did in the 2014 playoffs, where he won both the NLCS and World Series MVP.  In the NLCS, Bumgarner had two starts, won one, and had an ERA of 1.72.

31 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians, Pitcher, 2016, AL             

Miller had a career-high 36 Saves in 2015, but was traded to Indians during the next season, where the reliever had only 12 Saves, but a 1.45 ERA, and was named to his first All-Star.  In the ALCS, he pitched in four Games, recording a Save while not allowing a run over 7.2 Innings.  The Indians would fall to the Cubs in the World Series.

36 Years Old, Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs, Third Base, 2016, NL Co-Winner          

Baez became a regular player in the Cubs lineup in 2016, and in the four-game sweep of the Giants, he batted .375 with a Home Run.  The Cubs won the World Series that year, ending the dreaded drought.  Baez was the runner-up for the MVP in 2018.

28 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Cubs.

Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs, Pitcher, 2016, NL Co-Winner          

Jon Lester helped the Red Sox win two World Series Championships (2007 & 2013), and after being traded to Oakland in 2014, he joined the Cubs in 2015.  2016 was Lester’s best year as he had a 19-5 Record and was second in Cy Young voting. In the NLCS allowed only two Runs in 13 Innings, while also winning a game.  He had another Win (against one Loss) in Chicago’s World Series triumph over Cleveland.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Nationals.

Justin Verlander, Houston Astros, Pitcher, 2017, AL

Justin Verlander won the Cy Young and MVP with Detroit in 2011, but by 2017, it was generally believed that his best days were behind him.  The surging Astros traded for him during the season, and Verlander went 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA to close the season.  In the NLCS, he remained electric and won both starts with a 0.56 ERA with 21 Strikeouts.  The Astros would win their first World Series that year.  In the two years after, Verlander was second for the Cy Young, and he won his second in 2019.

38 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Astros.

Chris Taylor, Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield, 2017, NL co-winner

This was Taylor’s first season as a regular player in the Majors, and in the NLCS, he had a pair of Home Runs, while batting .316.  The Dodgers went down to defeat against Houston, but Taylor got his ring with Los Angeles in 2020.

29 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers, Third Base, 2017, NL co-winner

Justin Turner was an All-Star for the first time this season, and he finished eighth in MVP voting.  The enigmatic Third Baseman batted .333 with a pair of Home Runs and seven RBIs in the NLCS, but the Dodgers lost to Houston in the World Series. Turner would however taste champagne in 2020 when L.A. won it all.

36 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield, 2018, NL 

Cody Bellinger was the Rookie of the Year the season before and in the 2018 NLCS, Bellinger only batted .200, but had two game-winning-RBIs, including the decider in Game 7.  The Dodgers lost to Boston in the World Series that year, but he would be back. Bellinger was the National League MVP the next season, and was a member of L.A.’s 2020 World Series Championship Team. To date, Bellinger is the youngest player to win the NLCS.

25 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox, Outfield, 2018, AL 

An All-Star in 2016 and a Gold Glove winner this year, Bradley Jr. only batted .200 in the ALCS, but had a .400 OBP, two Home Runs, nine RBIs and an OPS well over 1.000 in the five-game series win over Houston.  The Outfielder helped lead Boston to a World Series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

31 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros, Second Base, 2019, AL 

Altuve was at this point a six-time All-Star, a one-time MVP and a World Series Champion, and was still the leader of the Astros.  In the ALCS against the Yankees, he had a pair of Home Runs with a .348 Batting Average.  The Astros would not win the World Series this year, as they fell to the Washington Nationals.

31 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Astros.

Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays, Outfield, 2020, AL 

After playing only 19 Games for St. Louis in 2018, Randy Arozarena was traded to Tampa, and became a starter in the Outfield.  In his first ALCS, the Cuban-born player blasted four Home Runs with six RBIs and a .321 Batting Average in the Rays’ seven game series win over Houston.

26 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers, Shortstop, 2020, NL 

Corey Seager was the 2016 National League Rookie of the Year had won two Silver Sluggers leading up to the 2020 season, and this year Los Angeles was not going to be denied.  He batted .310 in the NLCS with five Home Runs, and he swept the post-season awards with a World Series MVP.  Seager batted over .300 in the NLDC, NLCS and World Series with eight playoff Home Runs.

27 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

 

As expected, the LCS MVPs are much like World Series MVPs, in that it can be won from journeyman to stars.

So, what is up next?

We stay with baseball, and look at the Hank Aaron Award.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

We are a month removed from the Baseball Hall of Fame 2021 vote, and that means it is time to release our new list of those to consider for Cooperstown in 2022.  With nobody elected in 2021, there are no removals from the list, but there are four new entries.  We currently have 108 on this list, and by Spring, we will be expanding it to an even 300, which will be our fixed number moving forward.

As per our first year, there are three number ones, with the rational showing one eligible, and two ineligibles (Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson) due to gambling.

Remaining at #1A is Pete Rose, the man who collected an all-time record 4,256 Hits.  Rose was banned from the game over 30 years ago for betting on baseball.  

Also, staying at #1B, is “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.  Jackson was suspended for his alleged participation in the Chicago White Sox throwing of the 1919 World Series.

Barry Bonds is at #1C.  Bonds is the all-time leading Home Run leader with 762, and he is also first in Walks (2,558), Win Probability Added (127.7) and Power-Speed # (613.9).  While never caught, the seven-time MVP was widely suspected of PED use, and the Baseball Hall of Fame voters have kept him out.  He only has one year left of eligibility.  

Roger Clemens is just behind Bonds at #2.  Like Bonds, Clemens has been kept out of Cooperstown due to PED suspicion, and he is also entering his tenth and final year on the ballot.  Clemens is a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and is third all-time in Strikeouts (4,672).

The highest debut is Alex Rodriguez, who appears at #3. Unlike Bonds and Clemens, Rodriguez was twice suspended for PED use, but also, unlike Bonds and Clemens, he seems to be welcomed back as shown by his gig at Fox.  Rodriguez is fourth all-time in Home Runs (696).

Former Detroit Tiger Second Baseman, Lou Whitaker, is at #4.  Whitaker was a member of Detroit’s 1984 World Series Championship team, and is considered one of the best infielders not in the Baseball Hall.  

Bill Dahlen, a former star in the 1900s is in at #5.  Dahlen won a World Series with the New York Giants in 1905, and is still in the top-fifty in bWAR for Position Players.

Curt Schilling is at #6.  The former two-time World Series champion has one year left and has asked to be removed from the ballot after failing to enter the Hall.  He has feuded with media in the past, and his current right-wing politics have alienated many others.  

At #7 is Manny Ramirez.  Like Rodriguez, Ramirez has also been suspended for PEDs twice, and it has hampered his pursuit for a Hall of Fame plaque.  

Our second top-ten debut is at #8, David Ortiz, Ramirez’s former teammate in Boston.  With the Red Sox, Ortiz became the best Designated Hitter that baseball has ever seen, and would win three World Series rings.

Todd Heltonremains in the top ten at #9.  The career Colorado Rockie is trending towards induction in roughly three years.

Tommy Johnrounds out the top ten.  Ironically, the surgery that bears his name, is recognized by the Hall.  His only path for induction is with the Veteran’s Committee.

There are two other new entries, Mark Teixeira at #93 and Jimmy Rollins at #102.

Thank you all for your support, and look for our revised Football list next month.

We said yesterday that the omission of Curt Schilling would have to see the former pitcher go on a bit of an “apology tour” if he wants to make the Baseball Hall of Fame next year on his last year of eligibility.  Schilling fell 16 votes shy, finishing at 71%.  It is clear that statistically he belongs, but his politics and anti-media stance have seen voters openly state they would not vote for him.

In response, Schilling responded on his official Facebook page:

I can say at this point I am mentally done. I know math and I know trends and I know I will not attain the 75% threshold for induction. 

As I’ve stated often over the past years to those I’ve spoken with in my heart I am at peace. Nothing, zero, none of the claims being made by any of the writers hold merit. In my 22 years playing professional baseball in the most culturally diverse locker rooms in sports I’ve never said or acted in any capacity other than being a good teammate. 

I’ve certainly been exposed to racism and sexism and homophobia as it’s part of who human beings are. I’ve played with and talked with gay teammates. I’ve played with wife beaters, adulterers, assaulted, drug addicts and alcoholics. I’ve never hit a woman, driven drunk, done drugs, PEDs or otherwise, assaulted anyone or committed any sort of crime. 

But I’m now somehow in a conversation with two men who cheated, and instead of being accountable they chose to destroy others lives to protect their lie. 

Having said all that the media has created a Curt Schilling that does not and has never existed. It’s one of the things that has allowed me to sleep at night. Not an ounce of that is to absolve myself of sin, Lord knows I’ve committed my share and will do so again. Never malicious, never to willfully or intentionally hurt another person. I was 100% accountable and still am. Even the thought of responding to claims of “nazi” or “racist” or any other term so watered down and rendered meaningless by spineless cowards who have never met me makes me ill. In modern times responding to such drivel somehow validates the claim. 

My love of this country has always been worn on my sleeve. My desire to do the right thing and be a good person has driven most of my life choices. I stood at my locker 400+ times after my starts and took every question and answered honestly. Those people who stood there asking the questions KNOW what they are claiming is untrue yet they quote, re-quote and link to one another story after story that began as lies and grew into bigger ones. The game has made it clear it does not want me back and that’s fine, the game owes me exactly nothing. It gave a billion more times than it took and I’ll forever be deeply in debt to it. My desire to work with and teach young men the art of pitching will be tucked away. 

But as I watch my wife battle cancer and go through the grueling soul crushing process of chemotherapy and see her hurt every time some idiot writes another hit piece linking to other hit pieces, none rooted in any sort of truth but rather story after story of “what he meant was” and “what he’s saying is” and “that’s a dog whistle for” all the while providing zero actual acts or quotes of the claims being made I can’t help but to go into deep conversation with my father. 

“Never live your life trying to impress people you don’t know, or who don’t know you” and what that means in todays world. 

Being an aspie has allowed it to flow like water off a ducks back. But to see the hurt I’m causing my wife and to have my children read and hear this stuff and then look at me and try and match a public “image” that in no way aligns with the man their father is , has been something I never considered. 

I do not and never will “scoreboard” the cowards but if I’m not mistaken only Jamie Moyer and I “swept” the humanitarian awards players can win. Awards meant to define who the true man is apart from the player. These same writers voted on those awards. Do those awards and 22 years absent of a single validating event to support their claims define me? Or does a “what he meant to say” tweet? Based on the vote and the pike of dung authored by morally decrepit men like Dan Shaughnessy it’s the latter. I cannot and will not say or do anything to possibly soften a weak willed mans opinion of me if it is not something I believe. Just or not. I’ve chosen Arizona as the team I would have represented if I had been inducted and even though I heard someone there is calling for the DBacks front office to “meet” should the induction happen I’ll stand with that decision as I know Mr Kendrick to be an honorable and kind man. 

Should that change it most certainly would be the Phillies. What Mr Henry and Mr Werner did to my family and I in my final year has been forgiven but will never be forgotten. One thing this text certifies is that I talk way too much but I know I was never a yes/no answer guy. I apologize for the insane length of this but I guess I needed an outlet and I sure as hell don’t want to dump any of this on a woman who just ended her 3rd chemo and provides the reasons I eat sleep and breathe everyday. Why the text? If by some miracle this would happen I have zero interest in taking questions from the very group who lined up to destroy my character with no regard to anyone in my life or being held to account for their lies. I would and will talk with the guys on the MLB network if you want that, but no one else. 

I wanted to reiterate this final point. I will not participate in the final year of voting. I am requesting to be removed from the ballot. I’ll defer to the veterans committee and men whose opinions actually matter and who are in a position to actually judge a player. I don’t think I’m a hall of famer as I’ve often stated but if former players think I am then I’ll accept that with honor. 

Again, I won’t be able to thank you for your kindness and sincere interest in this process as it pertains to me. I’ll be forever grateful. God Bless you all again and one more time a final thank you for all your efforts to help my family and I.

We thought it was important to post the full letter, rather than cherry-pick.  Regardless of what you think of Schilling, the emotion in this open letter is clear.

There is never been a case where a player has been asked to be removed from a ballot.  We don’t expect the Hall to comply with this request, but we know this, Curt Schilling is a bigger name than ever.  The concern over his platform rising over gaining HOF induction is incorrect, as we also wrote yesterday:

Here is what many voters and fans don’t seem to understand.  Once a player is retired, unless they are managing or broadcasting, they only have one more hurdle to climb; Cooperstown.  Pete Rose, by his own admission, is more known today because he is not inducted. When Dick Allen recently passed, it gained more attention because he was a Hall of Fame snub then he would have if it he was a Hall of Fame inductee.  An Induction for Schilling does not raise his platform at all, it actually decreases it, as the public knows that it is his politics that kept him out, and not his statistics.

Schilling received more press today then he would have if he got selected, and that was before he announced he wanted off of the ballot.

We call this the “Hall of Fame Season”, and this is annually part one of a two-part apex where the Baseball Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame announces their new classes, although COVID-19 might have played an integral part in what transpired today in the baseball vote.

As it was projected by Ryan Thibodeau @NotMrTibbs, the 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame did not select anyone.  As COVID-19 postponed the 2020 ceremony, the Class of 2020 (Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller) will be inducted on July 25.  This also meant that there was no urgency by any of the writers to induct anyone. Whether or not this played a part in the minds of voters to exclude a player is subject to conjecture, but it could have played a part.  

While nobody was chosen, there is a lot to unpack.

Had it not been for the anti-media stance of Curt Schilling, he likely would have been inducted years ago. Schilling has the stats and the post-season success that befits a Hall of Fame inductee, but it was four years ago where he supported a joke about lynching journalists.  That resulted in a drop of support from 52.3% to 45.0, and he had been relatively quiet since in regards to the media.  He made to an even 70.0% last year, but the last two months have been a very spicy political climate.  He inched forward to 71.1% this year.

Schilling supported the far right wing riots on January 6, and has again been very critical of the media. One voter, who checked Schilling’s box asked if could be changed.  Jay Jaffe openly said that he couldn’t vote for Schilling because he feared it would give him a bigger platform.  With only one year remaining, Schilling would have to go on a serious “apology tour” to make it. 

However,

Here is what many voters and fans don’t seem to understand.  Once a player is retired, unless they are managing or broadcasting, they only have one more hurdle to climb; Cooperstown.  Pete Rose, by his own admission, is more known today because he is not inducted. When Dick Allen recently passed, it gained more attention because he was a Hall of Fame snub then he would have if it he was a Hall of Fame inductee.  An Induction for Schilling does not raise his platform at all, it actually decreases it, as the public knows that it is his politics that kept him out, and not his statistics.  How Schilling acts this year will be a must-watch for us.

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are also one ballot away from elimination.  There is no fresh discussion here.  You are either vote for them, knowing they likely took PEDs, but did so in an era where baseball had no internal legislation to defy it.  Bud Selig, who presided over the era is in, as is manager, Tony LaRussa, who also was without a doubt aware what was transpiring. 

Bonds moved slightly from 60.7% to 61.8% and Clemens from 61.0% to 61.6%.  This is insignificant in regards to the elevation they need for induction.

Scott Rolen is rocketed up to 52.9% from 35.3% last year.  The infielder looks like he will be entering in the near future with his meteoric rise.

Omar Vizquel, who is embroiled in a domestic abuse allegation looks to have taken a tumble because of it.  He dropped from 52.6% to 49.1%   This was Vizquel’s fourth year on the ballot, and depending on what transpires in this accusation, he could fall out of what looked to be a Hall of Fame induction.

Billy Wagner made his second straight double-digit gain.  Wagner climbed from 16.7% to 31.7% from 2019 to 2020, and this year he is at 46.4%.  This was his sixth year on the ballot.

Todd Helton is in a similar state with Rolen, as he went from 29.2% to 44.9% on his third ballot.  It appears that Larry Walker will soon have Hall of Fame company wearing that Colorado Rockies hat.

Gary Sheffield, who was in limbo for years is making a move up the voting board.  He went from 13.6% to 40.6% in the last two years.

Andruw Jones, who was below 8% in his first two years, is now at 33.9% in his fourth year.

Former MVP, Jeff Kent is running out of time.  Last year was the first time he broke the 25% threshold, and now on year eight, he reached 32.4%.  This is not enough of a gain to see a plaque in Cooperstown in his near future.

Manny Ramirez, who has the Hall of Fame stats, WAS caught and suspended twice for PEDs, which could be the line for many voters.  He stayed the exact same at 28.2%, an indicator that he is moving nowhere.

Sammy Sosa was not suspended for PED use, but his performance in front of Congress where he forgot the English language clowns him to this day.  Sosa is at 17.0%, which is his highest to date, but he only has one year left. He has no chance at this time.

Andy Pettitte made a modest gain from 11.3% to 13.7%.  He is an admitted PED user, which might be enough to keep him out, though the way he handled it is the template for all athletes to follow.

Mark Buehrle is the highest first ballot inductee.  He received 11.0% of the ballot.  He was not the only debuts as Torii Hunter (9.5%) and Tim Hudson (5.2%) survive for another look.

Bobby Abreu remains alive at 8.7%.  

The other vote-getters were Aramis Ramirez (1.0%), LaTroy Hawkins (0.5%), Barry Zito (0.2%) Shane Victorino, A.J. Burnett, Nick Swisher, Dan Haren and Michael Cuddyer.

If the vote for 2021 was not dramatic enough, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz are now eligible in 20222. 

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the now defunct Delivery Man of the Year, a trophy that only existed from 2005 to 2013.  We also looked at recently the Rolaids Reliever of the Year, which was mathematically calculated to honor the best closer.  In 2014, a new award, which will likely be the gold standard for closers arrived, the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year and Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year.

These awards honor the best modern closers after being named after two Hall of Famers.

Yes, we know that this is embryonic, but that will only be temporary, so we know that this won’t yield anyone…for now.

So how many Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year and Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year winners have made the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won either the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year and Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

None

The following are the players who have won the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year and Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

None.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?       

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Art Ross	100%	100%
NHL Hart Trophy	93.6%	96.3%
NBA Finals MVP	91.3%	94.9%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NHL Ted Lindsay Award	90.0%
NBA All-Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL Bert Bell Award	73.7%	71.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NFL AP MVP	68.3%	74.0%
NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year	66.7%	66.7%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award	60.0%	60.0%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NHL Vezina	57.1%	66.3%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
NHL Calder Trophy	46.5%	46.5%
NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award	46.0%	46.0%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL King Clancy Award	36.8%	36.8%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB World Series MVP	33.3%	36.8%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB Delivery Man of the Year	25.0%	50.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB Comeback Player of the Year	25.0%	25.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NHL William M. Jennings Trophy	20.7%	40.4%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB Rolaids Reliever of the Year	18.6%	33.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year and Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year in MLB who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame: 

None.

The following are the players who have won the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year and Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year in MLB who are still active.

Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals: 1-3, 46 Saves, 1.44 ERA, 90 SO, 2014, AL

Greg Holland was in his fifth year in the Majors, all of which were in Kansas City.  An All-Star in 2013, Holland was so again in 2014, and posted a 1.44 ERA with a 0.914 WHIP. Holland was ninth in Cy Young voting this year, and he helped the Royals win the American League Pennant.  The Royals won the World Series in 2015, but Holland had to leave late in the season for Tommy John Surgery.  He came back in 2016, but with St. Louis. Holland came back in 2020 to the Royals.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves: 0-3, 47 Saves, 1.61 ERA, 95 SO, 2014, NL

By this point, Craig Kimbrel already won the Rookie of the Year, and was the final NL Rolaids Reliever of the Year and Delivery Man of the Year.  Kimbrel fittingly became the first Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year, and this was his fourth consecutive season leading the NL in Saves. He notably was named the TSN Pitcher of the Year, the second straight time that Kimbrel won that award.  Kimbrel was ninth in Cy Young voting.

33 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Cubs.

Andrew Miller, New York Yankees: 3-2, 36 Saves, 2.04 ERA, 100 SO, 2015, AL

It didn’t take long for a Yankee to win an award named after a Yankee, but it did take Miller long to win an award of any kind as a Major League Pitcher.  Miller debuted in 2006 for Detroit, and he would later play for Florida, Boston and Baltimore, joining the Yankees in 2015.  This was his only year as a closer, and only full year with the Yankees, as he was traded to Cleveland during the 2016 Season.  Miller finished ninth in Cy Young voting this year and had a 0.859 WHIP.

36 Years Old, Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates: 3-2, 51 Saves, 2.23 ERA, 62 SO, 2015, NL

Mark Melancon began his career with the New York Yankees, and he would later throw for Houston and Boston before becoming a Pittsburgh Pirate in 2013.  An All-Star in 2013, Melancon was so again in 2015, where he led the National League in Saves (51) where he was eighth in Cy Young voting.  He led the NL in Games Finished (67) the following year, though he split the season with the Pirates and Washington.

36 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Braves.

Zack Britton, Baltimore Orioles: 2-1, 47 Saves, 0.54 ERA, 74 SO, 2016, AL

Zack Britton began his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 2011, and he would be promoted to the team’s closer in 2014.  Britton was an All-Star in 2015, leasing the American League in Games Finished (58), with 46 Saves and a 1.92 ERA, but he took that good number and sliced by nearly two-thirds with a 0.54 ERA.  Britton led the AL in Games Finished that year (63) and Saves (47) and was an All-Star for the second time as well as the fourth-place finisher for the Cy Young.

33 Years Old, Playing for the New York Yankees.

Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3-2, 47 Saves, 1.83 ERA, 104 SO, 2016, NL

Kenley Jansen debuted in the Majors for the Dodgers in 2010 where the native of Curacao has spent his entire career in the bullpen. Jansen became the closer in 2012, and in 2016, he was an All-Star for the first time on the strength of his 47 Saves, 1.83 ERA and 0.670 WHIP.  His 13.6 SO/9 was also among the best in Baseball.

33 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox: 5-0, 35 Saves, 1.43 ERA, 126 SO, 2017, AL (2)

Kinbrel joined the Boston Red Sox in 2016, going to his fifth All-Star Game.  This was best year in Boston, as he was an All-Star again where he again won the TSN Pitcher of the Year, and was sixth in Cy Young voting.  Kimbrel became the first player to win the Hoffman and Rivera Award. He won a World Series Ring the following year, and he would leave Boston for the Cubs, going three-for-three in All-Star Games.

33 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Cubs.

Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers: 5-0, 41 Saves, 1.32 ERA, 109 SO, 2017, NL (2)

Jansen followed up his 2016 Hoffman winning year with another one, and did so at an even higher level.  Jansen dropped his ERA to 1.32, had a WHIP of 0.746 and posted a blistering of SO/BB of 15.57.  Jansen was fifth in Cy Young voting that year.

33 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners: 0-4, 57 Saves, 1.96 ERA, 124 SO, 2018, AL

Edwin Diaz may not have won a game this year, but who cares? He led the AL in Saves (57), and Games Finished (65) and he matched his sub-2 ERA with an even more impressive WHIP of 0.791.  Diaz, who went to the All-Star Game this year, was eighth in Cy Young voting.

26 Years Old, Playing for the New York Mets.

Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers: 6-1, 12 Saves, 2.43 ERA, 143 SO, 2018, NL

From the 12 Saves, you could see that Hader was not the primary closer, but as relief pitching changes, so do stats for an award such as this. Hader fanned 143 batters, a filthy amount considering he only threw 81.1 Innings.  His 15.8 SO/9 and 0.811 WHIP were incredible, and he was named to the All-Star Game in what was his second year in the Majors.  He was also seventh in Cy Young in voting.

27 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees: 6-1, 12 Saves, 2.43 ERA, 143 SO, 2019, AL

A four-time All-Star with the Cincinnati Reds and World Series winner with the Chicago Cubs, Chapman later became a Yankee (twice actually) and in 2018 he was an All-Star for the first time in the American League.  2019 was Chapman’s sixth All-Star year, but first winning any individual award with his 37-Save year. 

33 Years Old, Playing for the New York Yankees.

Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers: 3-5, 37 Saves, 2.63 ERA, 138 SO, 2019, NL (2)

Hader was a more traditional closer this year, but his Strikeout rate remained astronomical with a 16.4 SO/9.  An All-Star for the second straight year, Hader had another great WHIP with a 0.806.  He would become the first back-to-back Hoffman Award winner.

27 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Liam Hendriks, Oakland Athletics: 3-1, 14 Saves, 1.78 ERA, 37 SO, 2020, AL

The native of Perth, Australia, Liam Hendriks was in his tenth season, and his second as a closer.  In the COVID-19 stricken year, Hendricks also posted a WHIP of 0.671 and was ninth in Cy Young voting.

32 Years Old, Free Agent.

Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers: 4-1, 0 Saves, 0.33 ERA, 53 SO, 2020

For the first time in the history of the award, we have a winner who was not a closer, so much so that he had ZERO Saves.  Devin Williams was incredible this year, allowing only one Run in his 27 Innings Pitched.  He was so good in this season, that he had a SO/9 of 17.7 with a WHIP of 0.630. Amazingly, Williams was a rookie, and also won the Rookie of the Year Award.  He also finished seventh in Cy Young Award voting.

26 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

We can’t wait to see how this award plays out in the future.

So, what is up next?

We go back to the baseball playoffs, and the ALCS and NLCS MVPs.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

The Baseball Hall of Fame announced today that Al Michaels, will be the 2021 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.

The Award is given annually and decided on by a panel of 12 living Ford Frick winners and three broadcast historians.  Michaels becomes the 45^thperson to earn this honor.

Michaels began covering the Majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 1971, and would later work with the San Francisco Giants (1974-76).  Nationally, he did the play-by-play for NBC (1972) and ABC (1976-89).  Michaels has called seven World Series, including the 1989 Oakland/San Francisco series that was stopped due to an earthquake.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Al Michaels for earning this prestigious accolade.

One of our favorite ballots came out today, that of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The official ballot comprises 25 former players, 14 of which were holdovers from 2020.  To gain entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame, a candidate must gain 75 percent of the ballot.  Once eligible, they have ten years go gain entry.  If an individual fails to get 5 percent, he falls off the ballot completely.  

The voting body consists of BBWAA members who have been in good standing for at least ten years. Voters can select as few as zero players or as many as ten.

The returning candidates are:

Curt Schilling:  9^thYear, 70% last year.  Had Schilling been more media friendly, the Pitcher would likely have been inducted already.  With the 2020 Class being inducted alongside the 2021 Class, Schilling would not be a headliner, and this could actually help him with voters who dislike him, but want him to receive less of the spotlight.  Ranked #5 on NIHOF.

Roger Clemens:  9^thYear, 61% last year.  It was never proven that Roger Clemens took PEDs but O.J. Simpson was found not guilty. Nevertheless, Clemens (allegedly) took them before Major League Baseball had an agreement in place that prohibited their use (2005), and suspensions for PEDs came after.  The fact that Commissioner, Bud Selig, who presided over the Steroids Era was inducted by the Veteran’s Committee in 2017, made some writers vocally say that it changed their opinion on players like Clemens.  Five years ago, it was considered a long shot for Clemens to get in.  Now it seems like it could happen.  The vote total for Clemens is the most interesting one of 2021.  Ranked #1C on NIHOF.

Barry Bonds: 9^thYear, 60.7% last year. See above.  Everything said about Clemens, applies to Bonds.  Everything.  So, how come each year, they haven’t finished with the same vote total?  Ranked #2 on NIHOF.

Omar Vizquel: 4^thYear, 52.6%.  With a lighter ballot, it is not impossible to foresee Vizquel vault all the way into Cooperstown this year.  Ranked #45 on NIHOF.

Scott Rolen: 4^thYear, 35.3%.  Rolen had only 10.2% in his first year of eligibility and he could crack 50% this year.   Ranked #10 on NIHOF.

Billy Wagner: 6^thYear, 31.7%.  Wagner nearly doubled his vote tally from the year before going from treading water to the realm of possibility.  He is the top reliever on this ballot.  Ranked #59 on NIHOF.

Gary Sheffield: 7^thYear, 30.5%.  Sheffield is running out of time, but he is another with the stats but the alleged PED user did crack the 30 plateau.  It is possible.  Ranked #14 on NIHOF.

Todd Helton: 3^rdYear, 29.2%.  Helton’s number might seem low but he is trending ahead of fellow Rockie, Larry Walker, who got in last year.  Ranked #7 on NIHOF.

Manny Ramirez: 5^thYear, 28.2%.  Unlike Clemens and Bonds, Ramirez WAS caught using PEDs and WAS suspended twice.  This is a delineation mark for many, and while Bonds and Clemens could get in, Ramirez is unlikely to, despite his gaudy stats and World Series rings.  Ranked #6 on NIHOF.

Jeff Kent: 8^thYear, 27.5%.  The former MVP’s total is his highest ever but there is only three years left.  If he does not get to 40% this year, it is not likely for Kent.  Ranked #48 on NIHOF.

Andruw Jones: 4^thYear, 19.4%.  Jones had less than 8.0% in his first two years of eligibility but approaching 20% last year was huge for the former Brave.  Ranked #40 on NIHOF.

Sammy Sosa: 9^thYear, 13.9%.  Sosa certainly has the stats, but unlike Bonds and Clemens, he appears to have no chance.  Sosa is not on the level of Bonds, but is that why he is so low in comparison? Probably not.  Everyone knew when Bonds and Clemens played that they were surly. Sosa pretended not to be and was eventually revealed as a character fraud.  Seriously, this a factor that hurts him that nobody talks about. Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com

Andy Pettitte: 3^rdYear, 11.3%.  Pettitte is an admitted PED user, but handled it in the blueprint way for everyone.  Sadly, not very many people followed his lead (see Braun, Ryan).  A jump to at least 20% keeps him in the conversation.   Ranked #32 on NIHOF.

Bobby Abreu: 2^ndYear, 5.5%.  Abreu barely made it through last year, but is worthy to do so again.  Saying that, it would not be a shock to see him fall under the 5% threshold.  Ranked #79 on NIHOF.

With the 11 new candidates it is very possible that none of them will advance.

The new entries are:

Mark Buehrle: Pitcher, 214-160, 3.81 ERA, 1,870 Strikeouts.  Ranked #74 on NIHOF.

A.J. Burnett: Pitcher, 164-157 3.99 ERA 2,513 Strikeouts.

Michael Cuddyer: Outfield, 1,522 Hits, 197 HR, .277/.344/.461.

Dan Haren: Pitcher, 153-131, 3.75 ERA, 2,013 Strikeouts.

LaTroy Hawkins: Pitcher, 75-94, 4.31 ERA, 127 Saves.

Tim Hudson: Pitcher, 222-133, 3.49 ERA, 2,060 Strikeouts. Ranked #101 on NIHOF.

Torii Hunter: Outfield, 2,452 Hits, 353 HR, .277/.331/.461. 

Aramis Ramirez: Third Base, 2,303 Hits, 386 Home Runs, .283/.341/.492.

Nick Swisher: Outfield, 1,338 Hits, 245 Home Runs, .249/.351/.447.

Shane Victorino: Outfield, 1,274 Hits, 108 HR, .275/.340/.425.

Barry Zito: Pitcher, 165-143, 4.04 ERA, 1,885 Strikeouts.

Notably, Aaron Harang, Adam LaRoche, Alex Rios, C.J. Wilson, Crey Hart, Dan Uggla, Grady Sizemore, Grant Balfour, Jason Marquis, Jeremy Affeldt, Kevin Gregg, Rafael Soriano and Skip Schumaker were eligible for the ballot but left off of it.

The results will be revealed on January 26.  This group will be inducted alongside Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller, who were the Class of 2020.

As regular Notinhalloffame.com podcast guest Vinny Lospinuso just told me, “It’s like they never heard of Zoom”.

The Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors voted unanimously today to reschedule the two committees, Golden Days and Early Days to 2021.  They cited that due to COVID-19, that the conversation held by the respective 16-person committees could not be held in person, thus breaching the ability to have an open and confidential dialogue.

Confidential?  What the hell are they saying in these meetings?

The Golden Days Era Committee looks at the player from 1950 to 1969, and the Early Days concentrates on players before 1950.

We are excited to unveil another new section here at Notinhalloffame.com.  We always look to the future, and as such, it is with great excitement that we unveil our write-ups on the Baseball Futures of 2024.  Specifically, this is in reference to the former baseball players who will be eligible for Cooperstown in 2024.

They are set up so that you can cast your votes and offer your opinions before they become officially eligible.

The formers players who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024 are:

Adrian Beltre:  From the Dominican Republic, Beltre has a great shot for early induction as the Third Baseman is a member of the 3,000 Hit Club, won five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers and was a four-time All-Star. Beltre has 377 career Home Runs, 1,707 RBIs, and his plaque will look good with that Texas Rangers cap.

Adrian Gonzalez:  Gonzalez was a five-time All-Star who also won two Silver Sluggers and four Gold Gloves. “A-Gon” had 2,050 Hits, with 317 of them being Home Runs.  He was also the American League leader in Hits (213) in 2011. 

Alcides Escobar:  Escobar played in the Majors for 11 years, and in 2015 he won the World Series with Kansas City.  That year, the Shortstop was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner.

Bartolo Colon:  Colon played 21 years in the Majors, with runs in Cleveland, Montreal, Chicago (AL), Anaheim, Boston, New York (AL), Oakland, New York (NL), Atlanta, Minnesota and Texas, but he never felt like a journeyman, as a Colon start was an event.  The big man was a four-time All Star, a Cy Young winner and had 247 Wins with 2,535 Strikeouts.

Brad Ziegler:  Ziegler was a reliever throughout his career, and in 2013 and 2018 he led the league in Games Pitched.

Brandon Morrow:  As a Blue Jay in 2011, Morrow led the AL in SO/BB. He had a career record of 51-43.

Brandon Phillips:  Phillips was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove recipient and he had 2,029 career Hits and 211 Home Runs.

Chase Headley:  Headley had 1,337 Hits and was a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.

Chase Utley:  Utley was a six-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and he had three top-ten finishes for the MVP.  A World Series Champion with the Phillies in 2008, Utley accrued 1,885 Hits, 259 Home Runs and 1,025 RBI.

Chris Tillman:  Tillman was a ten-year vet (all with Baltimore) and an All-Star in 2013.

David Wright:  Wright played all fourteen of his MLB years as a New York Met, where he was a seven-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glove winner.  The Third Baseman had four top-ten finishes in MVP voting and totaled 242 Home Runs with 1,777 Hits.

Denard Span:  Span was an 11-year vet who led the National League in Hits once and Triples twice.

Doug Fister:  Fister had an 83-92 record over a ten-year career.

James Shields:  Shields was an All-Star in 2011 when he was second in Cy Young voting.  He would fan 2,234 batters with a 145-139 record.

Jim Johnson:  Johnson was an All-Star in 2012 and he was also the Reliever of the Year.  That season and 2013 saw Johnson lead the American League in Saves and he would accrue 178 in total.

John Axford:  In 2011, Axford Reliever of the Year, was an All-Star and led the American League in Saves.  He had 144 career Saves.

Jose Bautista:  After years of mediocrity, Bautista exploded as a Toronto Blue Jay where he won two Home Run Titles, six All-Star, three Silver Sluggers and four top-eight MVP finished.  Bautista had 344 career Home Runs.

Jose Reyes:  Reyes won the National League Batting Title in 2011, and was a four-time All-Star and three-time leader in Stolen Bases.  Reyes had 2,138 career Hits and 517 Stolen Bases.

Matt Holliday:  A seven-time All-Star, Holliday blasted 316 Home Runs with 1,220 RBIs.  Also, a four-time Silver Slugger, Holliday helped the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series Championship, and he had a career Slash Line of .299/.379/.510.  

Phil Hughes:  Hughes was a World Series Champion in 2009 and All-Star in 2010 with the Yankees, but his best season was in Minnesota where in 2014 he finished seventh in Cy Young voting.  Hughes had a career record of 88-79.

Ryan Madson:  Madson pitched in 740 Games and won two World Series Rings; one with Philadelphia (2008) and another with Kansas City (2015).

Santiago Casilla:  Casilla played for Oakland and San Francisco, and with the latter the Relief Pitcher won three World Series Rings (2010, 2012 & 2014).  He had 144 Saves over his career.

Victor Martinez:  Martinez was a five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger who had 246 Home Runs and 1,178 RBIs over his career.

Yovani Gallardo:  Gallardo played most of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers where he was an All-Star in 2010.  He had a career record of 121-101.

The entire 2024 eligibles can be found here.

When you can, cast your vote and give us your opinions, as this will shape where we will rank them once eligible.

As always, we thank you for your support.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award of the NBA.  This time we look at its Football counterpart, the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award originated in 1970, and is given to the player honoring a player’s volunteer and charity work.  It was originally named the Man of the Year, and it was renamed in the honor of former winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Walter Payton, after he died in 1999.

While this is generally given to star players, we will not dissect the season in question as the award is not meant to be defined by stat lines and on field accomplishments.  

So how many Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winners have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts 1970                            

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs 1972                           

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Len Dawson, Kansas City Chiefs 1973                            

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

George Blanda, Oakland Raiders 1974                            

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers 1976                        

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Walter Payton, Chicago Bears 1977                                

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys 1978                           

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers 1979                            

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Harold Carmichael, Philadelphia Eagles 1980                

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers 1980                           

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Dwight Stephenson, Miami Dolphins 1985                     

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks 1988                           

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

Warren Moon, Houston Oilers 1989                                

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears 1990                             

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Anthony Munoz, Cincinnati Bengals 1991                     

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

John Elway, Denver Broncos 1992                                 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs 1993                     

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers 1994                           

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Darrell Green, Washington Redskins 1996                     

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys 1997                               

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins 1998                                 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings 1999                              

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2000 (co-winner)

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers 2001                        

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts 2005                      

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers 2007            

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins 2008                               

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals 2009                             

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

The following are the players who have won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

John Hadl, San Diego Chargers 1971                             

Eligible Since 1983.  Ranked #103 on Notinhalloffame.com

Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals 1975                        

Eligible Since 1992.  Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com

Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins 1982                  

Eligible Since 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rolf Benirschke, San Diego Chargers 1983                    

Eligible Since 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Marty Lyons, New York Jets 1984                                  

Eligible Since 1995.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Reggie Williams, Cincinnati Bengals 1986                     

Eligible Since 1995.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dave Duerson, Chicago Bears 1987                                

Eligible Since 1997.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Boomer Esiason, Cincinnati Bengals 1995                     

Eligible Since 2003.  Ranked #82 on Notinhalloffame.com

Jim Flanigan, Chicago Bears 2000 (co-winner)               

Eligible Since 2009.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Troy Vincent, Philadelphia Eagles 2002                         

Eligible Since 2012.  Ranked #275 on Notinhalloffame.com

Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons 2004                              

Eligible Since 2014.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Waters, Kansas City Chiefs 2009                          

Eligible Since 2014.  Ranked #156 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Madieu Williams, Minnesota Vikings 2010                     

Eligible Since 2014.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Matt Birk, Baltimore Ravens 2011                                 

Eligible Since 2014.  Ranked #74 on Notinhalloffame.com.

 

Let’s update our tally, shall we?        

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Art Ross	100%	100%
NBA Finals MVP	91.3%	94.9%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NBA All-Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL Bert Bell Award	73.7%	71.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NFL AP MVP	68.3%	74.0%
NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year	66.7%	66.7%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NHL Vezina	57.1%	66.3%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award	46.0%	46.0%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB World Series MVP	33.3%	36.8%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB Comeback Player of the Year	25.0%	25.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in the NFL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears 2013

Eligible in 2021.

Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers 2015

Eligible in 2022.

Eli Manning, New York Giants 2016 co-winner

Eligible in 2025.

Chris Long, Philadelphia Eagles 2018

Eligible in 2024.

The following are the players who have won the Walter Payton Man of the Year who are still active.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints 2006

41 Years Old,Playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Jason Witten, New Orleans Saints 2013

38 Years Old,Playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers 2014

37 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Football Team.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals 2016 co-winner

37 Years Old,Playing for the Arizona Cardinals.

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans 2017

31 Years Old,Playing for the Houston Texans.

Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars 2019

34 Years Old,Playing for the Baltimore Ravens.

 

This is an award based more on character, and will likely continue to yield winners all over the ability spectrum, but let’s be honest; it is a lot easier to be philanthropic when you are a star name!

…and yes we know Peyton is not inducted yet, but come on!

So, what is up next?

We return to the NHL with a similar award to this one, the King Clancy Memorial Award.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the NBA Finals MVP.  This time we went back to baseball, and the Comeback Player of the Year.

This is a recent award, first created in 2005, so the sample size at present is not a large one, but that has not stopped us before.  As with most awards in the Majors, there is one issued for both the National League and the American League.

So how many MLB Comeback Player of the Years have made the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Comeback Player of the Year who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati Reds (NL: 2005)                    

Ken Griffey Jr was beset with injury after injury from 2001 to 2004 as a Cincinnati Red with the most games he had in a year being 111.  This season, Griffey Jr appeared in 128 Games and had 35 Home Runs with a .301 Batting Average.  He played until 2010, retiring with 630 Home Runs and 2,781 Hits.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox (AL: 2006)                      

In 2005, Thome had elbow problems and batted only .205 as a Philadelphia Phillie.  The Phils traded him to the White Sox, and he rebounded with 42 Home Runs and 109 RBIs.  The slugger played until 2012 and left the game with 612 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees (AL: 2013)                

Mariano Rivera was already entrenched as the greatest Relief Pitcher in history before he won this award, and in 2012 it looked like he had to retire.  In May of that year, he tore his ACL, and it was expected that he would not return, but he did and was back in form.  In what was his final season, the career Yankee had 44 Saves and was an All-Star for the 13^thtime.  Rivera ended his career as the all-time leader in Games Finishes (952), Saves (652) and ERA+ (205).  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

The following are the players who have won the Comeback Player of the Year who are eligible for the Baseball Basketball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees (AL: 2005)                   

Jason Giambi won the 2000 MVP, and was a top slugger for the seasons after but knee issues held him to 80 Games in 2004.  In 2005, he returned with 32 Home Runs, and led the American League in Walks (108) and On Base Percentage (.440).  Eligible Since 2020.  Was on the ballot for one year in 2020 and received 1.5% of the ballot.  Ranked #98 on Notinhalloffame.com

Nomar Garciaparra, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 2006)       

Injuries compiled on Garciaparra for years, taking him away from surefire Hall of Famer to also-ran.  He missed most of 2005 due to a torn groin, but 2006 had Garciaparra go to his first All-Star Game since 2003.  Garciaparra had 20 Home Runs, and batted .303 this year.  Realistically, this was his last good year, and he retired in 2009.  Eligible Since 2015.  Was on the ballot for two years in 2015 finishing as high as 5.5% in 2015.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays (AL: 2007)                        

Carlos Pena had a pair of 100 Hit years, and had a 27 Home Run season in 2004, but he was released by the Tigers before the start of the 2006 season.  He signed with the Yankees, but was released before he played for them.  He did manage to get in 18 Games for Boston, but was in the minors for most of the year.  Pena signed a minor league deal with Tampa before the 2007 season, and he rewarded them with a 46 Home Run and .282 Batting Average year.  Pena was ninth in MVP voting, and two years later he won the Home Run Title (39) and was an All-Star.  Pena would later play for the Cubs, Houston, Kansas City and Texas.  He retired with 286 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 2020.  Was on the ballot for one year in 2020 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dmitri Young, Washington Nationals (NL: 2007)             

An All-Star in 2003 with the Detroit Tigers, Young’s 2006 season was his last in Motown, where he only played in 48 Games, had a sub .300 OBP and was treated for substance abuse and depression.  The Tigers released him that year, and it looked like his career might be over.  The Nationals signed Young, and in 2007 he was an All-Star again and he batted .320, which was good enough for fifth in the NL. He played one more season, and he retired with 1,389 Hits and 171 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 2014.  Although Young was eligible in 2014, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians (AL: 2008)                            

Lee won at least 14 Wins annually from 2004 to 2006, and was fourth in Cy Young voting in 2005.  Lee had a horrendous 2007 where he had abdominal issues and was sent down to the minors, and his ERA was over six in his 20 Games with Cleveland. He rocketed back with his best year ever, going 22-3, and he led the AL in Wins, ERA (2.54) and FIP (2.83), and he won the Cy Young, making him the first to win the Cy Young and the Comeback Player of the Year at the same time.  Eligible Since 2020.  Was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 2008)                    

An All-Star in 2005, Lidge’s game fell apart after and he dropped to 19 Saves in 2007 from his 42 two years before.  Lidge joined the Phillies, and he was an All-Star again with 41 Saves and an ERA of 1.95.  Lidge finished fourth in Cy Young voting, was an All-Star, and won the Rolaids Relief and Delivery Man of the Year Award.  The Phillies won the World Series that season, and Lidge was the first player to win the Comeback Player of the Year and the World Series in the same year.  Lidge played until 2012 and retired with 225 Saves.  Eligible Since 2018.  Was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2009)              

In 2007, Carpenter threw only six innings and underwent Tommy John Surgery and he was only on the mound for 15.1 Innings in 2008 due to shoulder issues.  The Pitcher stormed back as the Cy Young runner-up and had a 17-4 record while leasing the National League in ERA (2.24).  Carpenter would be an All-Star again the following year, and he played until 2012, finishing his career with a 144-94 record.  Eligible Since 2018.  Was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves (NL: 2010)                          

An All-Star twice with Oakland, Tim Hudson joined the Braves in 2005 and did well until Tommy John Surgery took him out in 2008 and he missed most of 2009.  In 2010, he was an All-Star again with a 17-9 record and a fourth place finish in the Cy Young.  Hudson was an All-Star again in 2014 as a San Francisco Giant and retired the year later with 222 Wins and 2,080 Strikeouts.  Eligible Since 2021.  His first year of eligibility is this year.  Ranked #101 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2011)               

Lance Berkman was a five-time All-Star with the Astros, but in an injury plagued 2010 he only had 14 Home Runs and batted .249. Berkman joined the Cardinals and blasted 31 Home Runs, was an All-Star for his sixth and final time and he helped the Cardinals win the World Series.  He played two more seasons and retired with 1,648 Hits, 326 Home Runs and 1,090 RBIs.  Eligible Since 2019.  He was on he ballot for one year and had 1.2% of the ballot.  Ranked #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?        

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Art Ross	100%	100%
NBA Finals MVP	91.3%	94.9%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NBA All-Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL Bert Bell Award	73.7%	71.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NFL AP MVP	68.3%	74.0%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NHL Vezina	57.1%	66.3%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB World Series MVP	33.3%	36.8%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB Comeback Player of the Year	25.0%	25.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Comeback Player of the Year in MLB who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame:

Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 2009)

Aaron Hill suffered a concussion in late May of 2008, and he was put for the remainder of the season.  Hill came back to have the best season of his career where he was an All-Star for the first and only time of his career, and would post career-highs in Home Runs (36), RBIs (108) and Hits (195).  The Second Baseman would also win his lone Silver Slugger this season. Hill went on to play for Arizona, Milwaukee, Boston and San Francisco, and he retired with 1,501 Hits and 162 Home Runs.  Eligible in 2023.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2011)

Jacoby Ellsbury played only 18 Games due to fractured ribs in 2010, but he returned the following season to have his only All-Star year.  Ellsbury had career-highs in Hits (212), Home Runs (32), RBIs (105), and the Slash Line (.321/.376/.552).  He would later win his second World Series ring with the BoSox in 2013, and he finished his career with 104 Home Runs and 1,376 Hits.  Eligible in 2023.

Chris Young, Seattle Mariners (AL: 2014)

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome held Chris Young to only nine minor league starts in 2013, and he was a long way removed from his 2007 All-Star year in San Diego.  Young was a Mariner for only this season, and he went 12-9 with a 3.65 ERA.  He played three more years with Kansas City, winning a World Series ring and retiring with 79 Wins against 67 Losses.  Eligible in 2023.

Chris McGehee, Miami Marlins (NL: 2014)

Chris McGehee debuted in 2008, and had a decent 2010 season, but was a journeyman after that, playing in Japan in 2013. McGehee returned to the Majors as a Miami Marlin, and he would collect 177 Hits with a .287 Batting Average.  He went back to journeyman status and was out of the majors after 2016.  McGehee had 721 Hits over his career.  Eligible in 2022.

Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers (AL: 2015)

Prince Fielder won the Home Run Title in 2007 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and he had six more 30-Home Run years right after. Fielder joined the Texas Rangers in 2014, but he had season-ending neck surgery after 42 Games.  In 2015, Fielder had 187 Hits, 23 Home Runs and batted .305, and was an All-Star for the sixth and final time.  Injuries kept him to only one more season, and he retired after the 2016 season with 319 Home Runs and 1,645 Hits.  Eligible in 2022.

The following are the players who have won the MLB Comeback Player of the Year who are still active.

Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins (AL: 2010)

Francisco Liriano was an All-Star as a rookie in 2006, but he missed all of 2007 due to Tommy John Surgery, and he was injured for much of 2008 and 2009.  Liriano rebounded with a 14-10 record in 2010 with a 3.62 ERA.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay Rays (AL: 2012)

Fernando Rodney los the closers job with the Angels the year before with only three Saves and a 4.50 ERA.  With the Rays, he came back with a vengeance with 48 Saves, a 0.60 ERA, a 0.777 WHIP and a fifth place Cy Young finish.  43 Years Old, Free Agent.

Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (NL: 2012)

Buster Posey was the 2010 Rookie of the Year and the Catcher helped lead the Giants to a World Series win.  2011 was not as good, as a home plate collision fractured his fibula and tore ligaments.  Posey rebounded by taking the Giants to another World Series win with 24 Home Runs, a Batting Title (.336) and an MVP.  Posey won another World Series Ring with the Giants in 2014.  33 Years Old, Playing for the San Francisco Giants.

Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh Pirates (2) (NL: 2013)

Liriano made history as the first player to win the Comeback Player of the Year twice, and he did it in both leagues.  This time, he made a comeback after an awful 2012 split between Minnesota and Chicago (AL), and in his first season as a Pirate he had his best year in baseball.  Liriano went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA and a ninth-place finish in Cy Young voting.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Matt Harvey, New York Mets (NL: 2015)

An All-Star in 2013, Matt Harvey missed all of 2014 from Tommy John Surgery.  Harvey went 13-8 for the Mets in 2015, and had a 2.71 ERA with 188 Strikeouts.  31 Years Old, Free Agent.

Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2016)

After having six good seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Rick Porcello joined the Red Sox, but had a poor year with a 9-15 record and an ERA near five.  Porcello had a monster 2016 with a 22-4 record and a league-leading SO/BB (5.91). He would also win the Cy Young, and two years later, he helped Boston win the World Series.  31 Years Old, Playing for the New York Mets.

Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals (NL: 2016)

Rendon had a great 2014 year with a fifth place finish in MVP voting.  The season after, he had a poor year and missed his share of games, but he bounced back with a 20 Home Run year in 2016. Rendon would later lead the Nationals to their first World Series win in 2019.  29 Years Old, Playing for the Anaheim Angels.

Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals (AL: 2017)

Mike Moustakas helped the Royals win the 2015 World Series, but in 2016, he had a torn ACL and only played in 27 Games.  In 2017, Moustakas was an All-Star for the second time and he belted 38 Home Runs, his personal best.  31 Years Old, Playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

Greg Holland, Colorado Rockies (NL: 2017)

Greg Holland was an All-Star closer in 2013 and 2014, and he was injured late in the 2015 season, which coincided with the Royals World Series win.  Holland missed all of 2016 following Tommy John Surgery, and he returned in 2017, though with Colorado.  Holland was again an All-Star and he led the National League in Games Finished (58) and Saves (41).  31 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

David Price, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2018)

David Price had a down year in 2017 with elbow issues holding him to 16 Games, but he was healthy in 2018 and went 16-7 with 177 Strikeouts. Price and the Red Sox would win the World Series this year.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Jonny Venters, Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves (NL: 2018)

With all due respect to all of the other winners, this has to be the most inspirational winner ever.  Venters was an All-Star in 2011 (his second year in the league) and he led the National League in appearances (2011).  Venters would have arm trouble and had to endure his second and third Tommy John Surgery, and after last playing in 2012, he returned in 2018, now as a Tampa Bay Ray. He was traded back to the Braves in July of that year, and would see more action than he had as a Ray. Venters had a total 5-2 record with three Saves.  35 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians (AL: 2019)

This is the first winner who had a weaker year than the season before, but Carlos Carrasco is the first winner to battle cancer.  Carrasco has a 17-10 year in 2018 and in June of 2019, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.  Carrasco returned in September. 33 Years Old, Playing for the Cleveland Indians.

Josh Donaldson, Atlanta Braves (NL: 2019)

In 2018, injuries held the former MVP to 52 Games, but Josh Donaldson had a lot to prove in 2019.  The Third Baseman joined Atlanta as a Free Agent and in his comeback year he had 37 Home Runs and 94 RBIs.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Minnesota Twins.

The Comeback Player of the Year was all over the place and based on what we see, its percentage of Hall of Famers will likely decline.

So, what is up next?

We return to basketball and the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which is awarded to the player who shows the most outstanding service and dedication to the community.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the Bert Bell Award.  This time we went back to baseball, and the World Series MVP.

The World Series was first played in 1903, but they did not award an MVP of the Fall Classic until 1955.  It goes without saying only a great team can win a World Series, but in a seven-game series any player can get on a hot streak.

So how many World Series MVPs have made the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the World Series MVP who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Whitey Ford, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1961)             

Based on who won the World Series MVP from 1955 to 1960, we think it safe to day that Whitey Ford will forever be the first chronological World Series MVP to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Ford was a career-Yankee who would help the Bronx Bombers win six World Series Titles.  In 1961, Ford won the Cy Young Award with a 25-4 record, and in the World Series he won both starts.  Ford pitched 14 Innings without allowing a single run, and the Yankees would defeat the Cincinnati Reds in five games.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (1963)        

Sandy Koufax was on year two of his second-half of brilliance, and in the regular season he would win the first of five consecutive ERA Titles.  In the World Series, his Dodgers were paired against the New York Yankees, and Koufax won both starts.  He would throw for 18 Innings with a 1.50 ERA.  Los Angeles would sweep New York.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals, Pitcher (1964)              

Bob Gibson would do well in 1964 with a 19-12 record, but he was still not yet a superstar.  The World Series would change that.  He led the St. Louis Cardinals to a win over the New York Yankees where he went 2-1 with 27 Innings and 31 Strikeouts.  Gibson would go to the All-Star Game annually from 1965 to 1970 but had plenty left to offer. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (2)(1965)   

Koufax became the first player to repeat as the World Series MVP, and doesn’t it seem appropriate?  In between his World Series MVPs, Koufax won the Cy Young and MVP.  This year, Los Angeles faced the Minnesota Twins and Koufax went 2-1 with a 0.38 ERA.  He played two more seasons, winning the Cy Young in both of them.  Koufax retired after that with a record of 165-87 and 2,396 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Frank Robinson, Baltimore Orioles, Outfield (1966)       

The Cincinnati Reds made a colossal error when they traded Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles after 1965 season. Robinson proceeded to have the best year of his life, becoming the first player to win the MVP in both leagues. It got even better, as Robinson led the Orioles to their first World Series, and he would have two Home Runs with a 1.217 OPS in Baltimore’s sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals, Pitcher (2) (1967)         

Gibson’s star rose since 1964, and in 1967, he had an even better World Series performance than his first.  Gibson pitched three complete games, winning them all, and only allowed three earned runs.  His 1.00 ERA was matched with an equally spectacular WHIP of 0.704.  Gibson would have a phenomenal 1968 in the “Year of the Pitcher” where he led the National League with a 1.12 ERA and a 0.853 WHIP.  He won the Cy Young and MVP that season, and he would play until 1975, ending a career spent entirely with the St. Louis Cardinals.  Gibson had a record of 251-174 with 3,117 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Brooks Robinson, Baltimore Orioles, Third Base(1970)  

Brooks Robinson was already a superstar by this point, as he was already a World Series champion (1966), an MVP (1964), and he was on year 11 of 15 straight All-Star Games.  The 16-time Gold Glove winner batted .429 with two Home Runs in the Orioles five-game victory over the Reds.  Robinson played his entire career with Baltimore and would accumulate 2,848 Hits, 268 Home Runs and 1,357 Runs Batted In.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates, Outfield(1971)   

A legend with 3,000 career Hits, Clemente was already a World Series Champion (1960), and an MVP (1966).  In 1971, the 15-time All-Star batted .414 with two Home Runs in the Pirates seven-game win over Baltimore.  Clemente only played one more season and died shortly after in a plane crash.  He was delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.  He was fast-tracked to the Baseball Hall of Fame the year after.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.

Reggie Jackson, Oakland Athletics, Outfield (1973)       

Reggie Jackson won the American League MVP this year, and would win the first of what would be four Home Run Titles.  In the seven-game win over the New York Mets, Jackson batted .315 with a Home Run, in what was Oakland’s second of three straight World Series Championships.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Rollie Fingers, Oakland Athletics, Pitcher (1974)           

This was the last of three straight Oakland World Series titles, and the future Hall of Fame closer was in the beginning of his turn as an elite closer.  In this World Series, Fingers appeared in four Games, won one of them, had two Saves with an ERA of 1.93.  Fingers would later win the Cy Young and MVP in 1983 when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers. He would play until 1985 and accumulate 341 Saves over his 17-year career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, Catcher (1976)             

The Catcher of the “Big Red Machine”, was a two-time MVP by this point and had already won two Home Run Titles.  In this year’s World Series, Bench batted .533, a 1.667 OPS with two Home Runs and six Runs Batted In.  The 14-time All-Star played his entire career with Cincinnati and would collect 2,048 Hits, 389 Home Runs and 1,376 RBIs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees, Outfield (2)(1977)  

This was the first of two straight World Series Championships for the New York Yankees, and it was this year where Reggie Jackson became “Mr. October”.   In Game Six of the 1977 World Series, Jackson belted three Home Runs on three first pitches against Dodger hurlers, and that was the clinching game.  He would bat .450 with an OPS of 1.792 with five taters.  Jackson played until 1987, and would retire with 2,584 Hits, 563 Home Runs, 1,702 RBIs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates, First Base (1979)       

Winning the MVP this year (though he probably should not have), Willie Stargell did earn both NLCS and World Series MVP.  The career-Pirate helped his team defeat Baltimore in seven games with a .400 Batting Average with three Home Runs and seven RBIs.  He played 21 seasons and retired in 1982 with 2,232 Hits, 475 Home Runs and 1,540 RBIs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies, Third Base (1980)  

This season, Mike Schmidt won the first of what would be three MVPs and it was also the year he set career-highs (also league-leading) in Home Runs (48) and Runs Batted In (121).  Schmidt also finished first in Slugging Percentage (.624) and OPS (1.004).  The Phillies would win his first World Series this year as Schmidt batted .381 with a two Home Runs and seven RBIs.  Philadelphia would beat Kansas City in six games.  Schmidt played his entire career with the Phils and would retire in 1989. Overall, he would appear in twelve All-Star Games, win six Silver Sluggers, ten Gold Gloves and had 2,234 Hits with 548 Home Runs and 1,595 RBIs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers, Shortstop (1984)            

This year, Alan Trammell was on his second of what would be six All-Star Games and the Detroit Tigers were an unstoppable team in 1984.  In this World Series, Detroit took out the San Diego Padres in five games with Trammell batting .450 with two Home Runs, six RBIs and a 1.300 OPS.  He would play his entire career with the Tigers, retiring in 1996 with 2,365 Hits, 185 Home Runs, four Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Jack Morris, Minnesota Twins, Pitcher (1991)                

Jack Morris already won a World Series title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers, but this title was especially sweet.  In the 1991 World Series, Morris pitched in three games, winning two games with a 1.17 ERA.  In Game 7, Morris pitched a ten-inning shutout to win the Fall Classic for the Twins.  Morris went on to win two more World Series Rings with the Toronto Blue Jays.  He retired in 1994 with a record of 254 Wins against 186 Losses with 2,478 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Paul Molitor, Toronto Blue Jays, Third Base and Designated Hitter (1993)   

Paul Molitor was with the Milwaukee Brewers for 15 years before joining the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993, who were the defending World Series Champions.  That year, Molitor would go to his fifth All-Star Game, and led the American League in Hits (211) and would bat .332.  The Blue Jays returned to the World Series, and in their successful title defense, Molitor batted .500 with two Home Runs, eight RBIs and a 1.571 OPS.  Moltor played until 1998, and retired with 3,319 Hits, 234 Home Runs, 1,307 RBIs with a Batting Average of .303.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves, Pitcher (1995)                  

The Atlanta Braves were one of the most loaded teams of the 1990s, but it only translated into one World Series win. That was in 1995, and the World Series MVP went to one of the big three, Tom Glavine.  He would win the 1991 Cy Young, and later the 1998 Cy Young, and this season was a nice 16-7 year, a 3.08 ERA, and a third place finish in the Cy Young vote.  In the World Series, Glavine won both starts and had an ERA of 1.29, a WHIP of 0.714 and 11 Strikeouts.  He retired in 2008 with a 305-203 record and 2,607 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1999)         

Considered to be the greatest Relief Pitcher of all-time, Mariano Rivera would win five World Series Rings, and was a 13-time All-Star. In the 1999 World Series, Rivera appeared in three games, winning one, saving two, and he did not allow a run. Rivera’s overall post-season record was 8-1, 42 Saves, 0.70 ERA, 0.759 WHIP over 141 Innings.  Let that sink in!   When Rivera retired, he was the all-time leader in Saves (652), Games Finished (952) and a career WHIP of 1.000.  Rivera became the first player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with a unanimous vote.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Shortstop (2000)          

Playing his entire career with the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter was not only the leader of the team, but was the most popular player and recognizable player of his day.  In the 2000 World Series, he batted .409 with two Home Runs, two RBIs and an OPS of 1.344.  Jeter would overall go to 14 All-Star Games, and was a five-time Silver Slugger and five-time Gold Glove winner.  He retired in 2014 with 3,465 Hits, 260 Home Runs, 1,311 RBIs and a Batting Average of .310. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pitcher (co-winner) (2001)    

Sharing the World Series MVP with Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson was on the third of four straight Cy Young Awards, one of the most incredible runs of any pitcher in the history of the game.  With the Arizona Diamondbacks, Johnson took the team that was still under ten years old to the World Series, and he won three World Series Games with a 1.04 ERA against the Yankees.  He also had a WHIP of 0.692 with 19 Strikeouts.  Johnson played until 2009, and retired with a record of 202-166 with 4,875 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

 

The following are the players who have won the World Series MVP who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Johnny Podres, Brooklyn Dodgers, Pitcher (1955)

The winner of the first World Series MVP, coincided with the only championship that the Dodgers would win in Brooklyn.  This was Podres third year in baseball, and he had been an average starter at best.  He would win both his starts, including a shutout in Game 7.  Over 18 Innings, he had a 1.00 ERA with 10 Strikeouts. Podres would play until 1969, mostly with the Dodgers and he retired with a record of 141-116 with 1,435 Strikeouts. He won two more World Series Rings with the Dodgers after they relocated to Los Angeles.  Eligible Since 1975.  Podres was on the ballot for three years and finished as high as 0.8% in both 1975 and 1978. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Don Larsen, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1956)

After only lasting 1.2 Innings in Game 2 (though all four runs were unearned due to errors), Larsen came back to throw a perfect game, the only time that this happened in the history of the World Series.  The Yankees beat the Dodgers in seven games, and Larsen’s Game 5 meant you could not possibly give the World Series MVP to anyone else.  Aside from the most spectacular pitching performance ever, Larsen was an average pitcher at best.  The 11 regular season Wins that he had in this regular season, was the most he had, and Larsen would only post 81 Wins against 91 Losses.  Eligible Since 1973.  Larsen was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 12.3% in 1979. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Lew Burdette, Milwaukee Braves, Pitcher (1957)

This was the only World Series that the Braves would win while competing in Milwaukee.  Burdette, who was an All-Star this year, had a 17-9 regular season record, would win all three of his World Series starts, throwing for 27 Innings with a 0.67 ERA.  Burdette would go to a second All-Star Game two years later and would retire in 1967 with a 203-144 record.  179 of those wins were with the Braves.  Eligible Since 1973.  Burdette was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 24.1% in 1984. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bob Turley, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1958)

This was the best season of Bob Turley’s career as he was an All-Star for the third (and final) time, and he would have a career-high 21 Wins.  For the regular season, he won the Cy Young, and was the runner-up for the MVP.  In the World Series, he lost his first start, but won the next two, aiding the Yankees in their seven-game win over the Milwaukee Braves.  In the process, the Yanks became the second team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the World Series.  It was all downhill for Turley, as he never had another 10 Win season again, and he retired with 101 Wins against 85 Losses.  Eligible Since 1969.  Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Larry Sherry, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (1959)

1959 was Sherry’s second year of an 11-year journeyman career.  In the six-game series win over the Chicago White Sox, he appeared in four games, pitched in 12.2 Innings and had a 2-0 record with 2 Saves.  He had a 0.71 ERA and a 0.789 WHIP over the Fall Classic. Sherry would have a record of 53-44 with 82 Saves.  Eligible Since 1974.  Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bobby Richardson, New York Yankees, Second Base (1960)

The sixth World Series MVP finally went to a position player, and while it is not a Hall of Famer, it is of course a New York Yankee!  Bobby Richardson was already a two-time All-Star, and he would go to five more over his career.  Historically speaking, this was also the first, and to date, only player to win the World Series as the member of the losing team.  Richardson would bat .367 with 11 Hits in the Series.  While the Yanks lost this one, Richardson would win three rings with the team.  He retired in 1966 with 1,432 career Hits.  Eligible Since 1972.  Richardson was on the ballot for three years and finished as high as 2.0% in 1972.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ralph Terry, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1962)

Ralph Terry would only go to one All-Star Game in his career, which would be 1962.  That season, he led the American League in Wins (23) and Innings Pitched (298.2) and was 14^thin MVP voting.  Terry was on the World Series Title the year before with New York, and in this championship, he went 2-1 with an ERA of 1.80 and WHIP of 0.766.  This was the best year he had, and he played until 1967, retiring with a record of 78-59.  Eligible Since 1973.  Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mickey Lolich, Detroit Tigers, Pitcher (1968)

Mickey Lolich had an up and down 1968, and was overshadowed by Denny McClain, who was a 30-Game winner that year.  However, in the 1968 World Series, it was Lolich who was the star, winning all three starts with a 1.67 ERA.  He would later go to three All-Star Games, and finished his career with a 217-191 record and 2,832 Strikeouts.  Eligible Since 1985.  Lolich was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 25.5% in 1988. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Donn Clendenon, New York Mets, First Base (1969) 

A very unlikely winner of the World Series MVP, Donn Clendenon was traded midway through the 1969 season from the Montreal Expos and he would platoon at First Base with Ed Kranepool.  Clendendon did not even play on the NLCS, but played in four of the five World Series Games where he batted .367 with three Home Runs and four RBIs.  He played until 197 and had 1,273 Hits with 159 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 1978.  Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gene Tenace, Oakland Athletics, Catcher (1972)

It was in the 1972 post-season where Gene Tenace finally won the starting Catcher’s job, and in what was the first of three straight World Series wins by Oakland, Tenace was on fire.  He would bat .348 with four Home Runs and nine RBIs. He would play until 1983, winning a fourth World Series win with the Cardinals in 1982.  Eligible Since 1989.  Tenace was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.2% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds, Third Base (1975)

Pete Rose was at the heart of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, and he was already an MVP.  In this World Series, Rose and the Reds beat Boston and had a .370 Batting Average with 10 hits with five Walks.  Rose would help the Reds win another World Series in 1976, and the first for Philadelphia in 1980.   He played until 1986 and would retire as the all-time leader in Hits with 4,256.  Eligible Since 1992.  Rose was declared ineligible by the Baseball Hall of Fame due to gambling on baseball. Ranked #1A on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bucky Dent, New York Yankees, Shortstop (1978)

Bucky Dent was never known for his hitting, but the three-time All-Star came to life in the 1978 World Series.  Prior to that, he hit the Home Run tin the tie-breaker where the Yankees beat the Red Sox to win the AL East.  He batted .417 with seven RBIs in the World Series, earning him his second ring, as he was with the Yanks the year before.  Dent played until 1984 and retired with 1,114 Hits.  Eligible Since 1990.  Dent was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.7% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ron Cey, Los Angeles Dodgers, Third Base (co-winner) (1981)

For the first and only time in World Series MVP history, there were three co-winners.  Prior to this win, Ron Cey was a six-time All-Star, and had already appeared in three World Series for the Dodgers, albeit in losing efforts.  This year, he batted .350 with a Home Run and six RBIs.  He played until 1987, and had 1,868 Hits and 316 Home Runs when he retired.  Eligible Since 1993.  Cey was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.9% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Pedro Guerrero, Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base (co-winner) (1981)

For the first and only time in World Series MVP history, there were three co-winners.  This season would see the first of five All-Star years for Pedro Guerrero, and in the World Series, he batted .333 with two Home Runs, seven RBIs and an OPS of 1.179.  Eligible Since 1998.  Guerrero was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.3% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Yeager, Los Angeles Dodgers, Catcher (co-winner) (1981)

For the first and only time in World Series MVP history, there were three co-winners.  A light hitting Catcher but well-respected handler of pitchers, Steve Yeager had two key Home Runs with a ,286 Batting Average in the World Series. Eligible Since 1998.  Yeager was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.5% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Darrell Porter, St. Louis Cardinals, Catcher (1982)

Darrell Porter had been a four-time All-Star prior to this World Series, and in this season’s Fall Classic, the Catcher batted .286 with one Home Run and five RBIs.  Notable, he batted .556 in the NLCS, and won the NLCS MVP that season. He played until 1987, and retired with 1,369 Hits and 188 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 1993.  Porter was on the ballot for one year but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rick Dempsey, Baltimore Orioles, Catcher (1983)

For the third year in a row, a Catcher won the World Series MVP.  Dempsey, who was never known for being a great hitter delivered on this stage with a .385 Batting Average and a Home Run in Baltimore’s five-game Series win over Philadelphia.  Dempsey would later win a second World Series Ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988. He played until 1992.  Eligible Since 1998.  Dempsey was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City Royals, Pitcher (1985)

In his second year in the Majors, Bret Saberhagen won the Cy Young with a 20-6 record and a league-leading 1.056 WHIP. In the World Series win over the Cardinals, he would win both starts and have a stellar 0.50 ERA and 0.667 WHIP. Saberhagen would win his second Cy Young in 1989.  The hurler would play until 2001 and retire with a record of 167-117 and 1,715 Strikeouts. Eligible Since 2007.  Saberhagen was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.3% of the vote.  Ranked #65 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ray Knight, New York Mets, Third Base (1986)

While it could be joked that the World Series MVP was really Bill Buckner, Ray Knight had an incredible World Series.  He would bat .391 with an OPS of 1.005 with one Home Run and five RBIs.  Knight was an All-Star twice and he played until 1988 with 1,311 Hits.  Eligible Since 1994.  Knight was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Frank Viola, Minnesota Twins, Pitcher (1987)

Finishing sixth in Cy Young voting this year, Frank Viola ascended to the ace of the Twins pitching staff.  In the seven-game World Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Viola started three of them and went 2-1 over 19.1 Innings with an ERA of 3.72 and 16 Strikeouts.  Viola would win the Cy Young the following season, and he played until 1996, retiring with a record of 176-150.  Eligible Since 2002.  Viola was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (1988)

Before 1988, Orel Hershiser was already the ace of the Dodgers pitching staff, but he was about to embark on the best season of his career.  This year, Hershiser won the Cy Young while leading the National League in Wins (23) and posting an ERA of 2.26 with 178 Strikeouts.  Hershiser would win the NLCS MVP, appearing in four games, winning one, and earning an ERA of 1.09.  In that World Series, he won both starts against the Oakland A’s winning both games with an ERA of 1.00 and a WHIP of 0.722.  Hershiser played until 2000 and would have a record of 204-150 with 2,014 Strikeouts.  Eligible Since 2006.  Hershiser was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 11.2% in 2006.  Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dave Stewart, Oakland Athletics, Pitcher (1989)

From 1987 to 1990, Dave Stewart finished in the top four in Cy Young voting, and was the ace of the Oakland staff that went to three straight World Series (1988-90).  1989 was the only one of the three that the A’s would win, and in this year, he would win both starts against the San Francisco Giants with a 1.69 ERA and 14 Strikeouts.  Stewart played until 1995, retiring with a 168-129 record and 1,741 Strikeouts.  Eligible Since 2002.  Stewart was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 7.4% in 2001. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jose Rijo, Cincinnati Reds, Pitcher (1990)

Jose Rijo and the Cincinnati Reds would shock Oakland in a four-game sweep in the World Series, and Rijo won both starts, with a phenomenal 0.59 ERA and 14 Strikeouts.  The Puerto Rican played until 1995, and after a five-year layoff due to injury, he returned for two years before retiring for good in 2002. He would have a record of 116-91. Eligible Since 2008.  Rijo was on the 2001 ballot and received 0.2% of the ballot, and appeared again in 2008, but had no votes that year.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Pat Borders, Toronto Blue Jays, Catcher (1992)

An unlikely World Series MVP, Pat Borders never had a season where he hat over 125 Hits and only had two 100 Hit plus years. Regardless, his bat was on fire in the 1992 World Series where he batted .450 with nine Hits, one Home Run and three RBIs.  This would be the first World Series win for the Toronto Blue Jays, and he would help them win it again in 1993.  He played until 2006.  Eligible Since 2011.  Although Borders was Hall of Fame eligible, he was never on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com. 

John Wetteland, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1996)

John Wetteland played two seasons with the New York Yankees, and this was the second of them.  For the first and only time, the closer would lead the league in Saves (43), and he was an All-Star for what would be the first of three times. Wetteland appeared in five games in the ’96 World Series against the Braves, and he would net four Saves with a 2.08 ERA and six Strikeouts.  He played until 2000, retiring with 330 Saves.  Eligible Since 2006.  Wetteland was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Livan Hernandez, Miami Marlins, Pitcher (1997)

In Florida’s shocking World Series win, Livan Hernandez was a rookie, who was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year Award. Hernandez was incredible in the post-season, winning the NLCS MVP (2-0), and he won both his starts in the ’97 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, albeit with a 5.27 ERA. Hernandez played until 2012, and was a two-time All-Star.  He finished his career one game over .500, with a record of 178-177.  Eligible Since 2018.  Hernandez was on the ballot for one year and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Scott Brosius, New York Yankees, Third Base (1998)

Scott Brosius became very popular when he arrived in 1998 to New York.  This would be his only All-Star year, and in the World Series he batted .471 with two Home Runs and six RBIs.  Brosius played for three more years, and retired with two more World Series Rings and 1,001 Hits.  Eligible Since 2007.  Brosius was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Curt Schilling, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pitcher (co-winner) (2001)

In the regular season, Curt Schilling finished second in Cy Young voting to his teammate, Randy Johnson, which would be the same hurler who he shared the World Series MVP with.  In this World Series, Schilling pitched in three games, winning one with an ERA of 1,69 with 26 Strikeouts.  He would win two more World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox, and he retired in 2007 with a record of 216-146 with 3,116 Strikeouts.  Eligible Since 2013.  Schilling has been on the ballot for eight years and has finished as high as 70.0% in 2020.  Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Troy Glaus, Anaheim Angels, Third Base (2002)

Troy Glaus was a four-time All-Star, two of which happened before 2002, and two after.  In the Angels first World Series win, Glaus batted .385 with an OPS of 1.313. and three Home Runs and eight RBIs.  He would play until 2010 and retired with 320 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 2016.  Glaus was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Josh Beckett, Florida Marlins, Pitcher (2003)

We think it can be safely stated that the Marlins are the most unlikely two-time World Series Champions, but that is sports for you!  Their second World Series MVP was Josh Beckett, who was in his third year in the Majors.  In this World Series, he would pitch in two Games, going 1-1 with a 1.10 ERA and 19 Strikeouts.  A future three-time All-Star, Beckett would later help the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series, and he played until 2014, retiring with a 138-106 record.  Eligible Since 2020.  Beckett was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox, Outfield (2004)

One of the huge reasons that the “Curse of the Bambino” was finally eradicated in 2004 was because of Manny Ramirez, who was on year seven of eleven straight All-Star Game appearances.  In the four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, Ramirez batted .412 with a Home Run and four RBIs.  His controversial career came to an end in 2011, and would have 2,574 Hits, 555 Home Runs and 1,831 RBIs.  Eligible Since 2017.  Ramirez has been on the ballot for four years and has finished as high as 28.2% in 2020. Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox, Outfield (2005)

An All-Star in 2000, and later in 2006, Jermaine Dye would win his first and only World Series ring in 2005 with the Chi-Sox. In the White Sox sweep of the Astros, Dye had a Home Run, three Runs Batted In, and a .438 Batting Average. He played until 2009, and would have 1,779 Hits with 325 Home Runs.  Eligible Since 2015.  Dye was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

David Eckstein, St. Louis Cardinals, Shortstop(2006)

This was the first of two straight All-Star Game years for David Eckstein, and he had already won a World Series Championship with the Anaheim Angels in 2002.  Eckstein batted .364 with four RBIs in this World Series, and he played until 2010.  Eligible Since 2016.  Eckstein was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox, Third Base (2007)

Mike Lowell finished fifth in MVP voting this year, which would be the highest he would ever finish.  A four-time All-Star, Lowell already had a World Series Ring with the Marlins, and in this World Series sweep over the Colorado Rockies, he would bat .400 with a Home Run with four RBIs.  Lowell played until 2010, and he retired with 1,619 Hits and 223 Home Runs. Eligible Since 2016.  Lowell was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hideko Matsui, New York Yankees, Outfield (2009)

Hideki Matsui was already a two-time All-Star, and with his MVP in the 2009 World Series, he became the first Japanese to win the award.  In the six-game win over the Philadelphia Phillies, “Godzilla” blasted three Home Runs, had eight RBIs, and had a disgusting Slash Line of .615/.643/1.385, meaning he had an OPS over 2.000.  He played in the Majors until 2012.  Eligible Since 2018.  Matsui was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Edgar Renteria, San Francisco Giants, Shortstop (2010)

This was the penultimate season of Edgar Renteria, who was a five-time All-Star, who had previously won a World Series Ring in 1997 as a Florida Marlin.  In the 2010 World Series, the Venezuelan Shortstop had two Home Runs, six RBIs and batted .412.  Retiring in 2011, Reneteria had 2,327 Hits with 140 Home Runs.  He was also a three-time Silver Slugger and twice a Gold Glove winner.  Eligible Since 2018.  Matsui was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

 

Let’s update our tally, shall we?

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NBA All Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL Bert Bell Award	73.7%	71.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NFL AP MVP	68.3%	74.0%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NHL Vezina	57.1%	66.3%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB World Series MVP	33.3%	36.8%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the World Series MVP in the NFL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame:

David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals, Third Base (2011)

David Freese will mostly be remembered over his career for his 2011 playoffs, where he won both the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP. In Game 6 of the World Series, Freese tied the game to send it into extra innings.  In the 11^thinning, he homered to win it, and force a Game 7, which the Redbirds won.  Overall, in the World Series, he had seven RBIs, the aforementioned Home Run, and a .348 Batting Average.  He played until 2019, and had 1,041 Hits.  Eligible in 2025.

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, Designated Hitter and First Base (2013)

This season would be the ninth of ten of All-Star seasons, for David Ortiz, which would also see him earn his third and final World Series Ring.  In the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Ortiz had the following Slash Line: .688/.760/1.188.  Incredible right?  He played until 2016, and would end his career with 2,472 Hits, 541 Home Runs, and 1,768 RBIs.  Eligible in 2022.

Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs, Second Base (2016)

In what Ben Zobrist’s first of four years in Chicago, the Cubs finally broke their curse and won their first World Series in well over a century.  In the regular season, Zobrist was an All-Star for the third and final time, and he would win the World Series for the second straight year, as he was with the Royals in 2015.  In this World Series, he batted .357 with 10 Hits and two RBIs.  He played until 2019 and retired with 1,566 Hits and 167 Home Runs. Eligible in 2025.

Steve Pearce, Boston Red Sox, Outfield (2018)

This was the penultimate year for Steve Pearce, who over 13 years would never have a 100 Hit season.  In the 2018 World Series, his bat was on fire with a three Home Run, eight RBI performance with a .333 Batting Average.  He would only have 572 Hits over his career.  Eligible in 2025.

The following are the players who have won the World Series MVP who are still active.

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitcher (2008)

Cole Hamels led the National League in WHIP this year and in the World Series, he pitched two games, going 1-0 with an ERA of 2.77.  Hamels also won the NLCS MVP.  35 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Braves.

Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants, First Base (2012)

Exceptionally popular, Pablo Sandoval would bat .500 in the four-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers and the “Panda” would have three Home Runs and four RBIs.  33 Years Old, Playing for the San Francisco Giants.

Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants, Pitcher(2014)

Bumgarner was on year two of a four-year run of All-Star Game years, and he would finish fourth in Cy Young voting.  In the 2014 playoffs, Bumgarner was on fire winning both the NLCS MVP and the World Series MVP.  In the latter, he went 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA, and earned a save in the deciding Game 7 over the Kansas City Royals.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals, Catcher (2015)

An All-Star for the third straight year, Salvador Perez batted .364 in Kansas City’s five-game World Series win over the New York Mets.  He would also have two Doubles and two RBIs.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

George Springer, Houston Astros, Outfield (2017)

This was the breakout year for George Springer, and the breakout for the Houston Astros, who won their first World Series this year. In the seven-game series over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Springer blasted five Home Runs, with seven RBIs, with a .379 Batting Average and an even 1.000 OPS.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Astros.

Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals, Pitcher(2018)

In the regular season, Stephen Strasburg led the National League in Wins (18), and was fifth in Cy Young voting.  In the World Series, he pitched twice, winning both games with 14 Strikeouts and a 2.51 ERA.  31 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Nationals.

You can’t win the World Series MVP, without making the World Series, and winning teams have stars, average players, and those who seize the moment.  The World Series MVP reflects all of those players.

So, what is up next?

We are going to return to the ice, and look at the Art Ross Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player who has the most Points in a season.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

Hall of Fame related cancellations just keep on coming.  

The Baseball Hall of Fame has announced that all of the events of the Hall of Fame Classic Weekend on may 23 have been cancelled.

Those events include the annual legends game, the Night at the Museum program and the BASE Race Charity Run

The Hall itself is already closed indefinitely.

While politics and sports don’t often mix, it does occur, especially when the topic of Halls of Fame come up.

102 members of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter to the Baseball Hall of Fame, extolling the candidacy of Curt Flood, who could be nominated by the Veteran’s “Golden Days” Committee this December.  

As a player, Flood was a three-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove recipient, and he would help the St. Louis Cardinals win two World Series Championships.  What made Flood more recognized is that in 1969 he challenged the reserve clause in Major League Baseball.

Flood had asked the Cardinals for a pay raise, which was denied.  At that time, players were completely under the control of their respective team, and Flood was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.  Flood refused to report.

With the backing of the Player’s Union, the case went to the Supreme Court, which Flood would lose 5-3.  Although Flood retired, the cause continued, and it was the catalyst that resulted in Free Agency becoming a part of the Majors in December of 1975.

Flood’s  areer was short because of his principles, although it was not like he did not receive prior consideration for the Hall of Fame.  He was on the ballot for fifteen years, and peaked at 15.1% in 1996, his final year on the ballot.

 What this means for Flood’s Cooperstown chances are anyone’s guess, but as always, we will be paying attention!  

A few weeks ago, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced their 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame Class.  The result was that Derek Jeter (on his first ballot), and Larry Walker (on his tenth and final) were chosen to enter Cooperstown. The two will join former Catcher, Ted Simmons, who was elected by the Veteran’s Committee.  All three of those former players were ranked in the top ten, and have been removed from the list.

For the first time since we began this list in 2010, there is no new entry in our top 15.  Actually, there is no new entry in the top 50.  This should assist in clearing any existing backlog. 

The new top ten is:

1A. Pete Rose.  Following the bombshell that was the Astros sign-stealing scandal, Rose again lobbied for reinstatement in the Majors.  His reasoning was that since no Astros player was punished, that logic should transfer to his own situation.  That likely won’t happen, but he did remain in the news as President Trump also said he should be in the Hall of Fame.  Since he is ineligible, he has the “1A” designation.

1B. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. Like Rose, Jackson was banned from baseball, which is now 100 years old.  Jackson was banned for his (alleged) participation in the 1919 Black Sox scandal where players were paid by gamblers to throw games in the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.  Jackson was a Hall of Fame worthy player, but as such his estate has to settle for his “1B” rank.

1C. Roger Clemens.  Unlike Rose and Jackson, Clemens is Hall of Fame eligible, but the PED stain has kept him out thus far.  He has two more years left and a big mountain to climb, but what looked impossible a few years ago, could be attainable.  

2. Barry Bonds.  Ditto for Bonds, and the only reason he is behind the “Rocket”, is because he has a slightly lower vote total than anyone than Clemens.  The all-time Home Run king is in the same boat as Clemens, as they both are in the low 60s in voting with two years left of eligibility.  

3. Lou Whitaker.  Playing his entire career with the Detroit Tigers, Lou Whitaker was only on the Hall of Fame ballot for one year, but has appeared on the Veteran’s Committee Ballot. There is still a good chance that he could enter via that route and join his double play partner, Alan Trammell, who also had to wait for a Veteran’s Committee admission to Cooperstown.

4. Bill Dahlen. “Bad” Bill Dahlen has been a Veteran’s Committee Nominee before, and could be again. The surly Shortstop was a defensive gem, a World Series Champion with the Giants in 1905, and is still in the top 50 in bWAR for Position Players.

5. Curt Schilling.  Had it not been for the mouth, political views and Twitter account of Curt Schilling, he would likely already have been inducted by now.  As it stands, he is close with a recent tally of 70% on his eight ballot.  Schilling has been on his best behavior in the last year, and with the weakest ballot in memory, he will enter Cooperstown in 2021 if he keeps his nose clean.

6. Manny Ramirez.  Unlike Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, Manny Ramirez WAS caught using PEDs and did so when the Baseball Player’s Union had an agreement with Major League Baseball.  Ramirez has approached 30% in the last ballot, and statistically he belongs, but induction is unlikely as of this writing.

7. Todd Helton.  Helton could follow Larry Walker into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and his Hall of Fame support approached nearly 30% on his second year on the ballot. Helton is definitely on the right trajectory.  

8. Gil Hodges.  This might surprise you, but one of the most debated players on our baseball list is Hodges.  This is the player who has the most accumulated votes that never got inducted, and his name is synonymous with Dodgers lore.

9. Tommy John.  Tommy John Surgery is actually represented in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but John himself is not.  He has 288 Wins and 2,245 Strikeouts and he will definitely appear in a future Veteran’s Committee ballot.

10. Scott Rolen.  Rolen jumped from 17.2% to 35.3% on his third year of eligibility, and while he was not a Colorado Rockie like Todd Helton, he is the one called the “New Larry Walker” based on belief that he will methodically work his way into Cooperstown.  We agree with that assessment.

As you can see, there are no new entries in the top ten.  There are actually, nobody new in the top fifty.  The only two new entries are Mark Buehrle at #74, and Tim Hudson at #101.

This brings a unique opportunity for those who are on the 2021 ballot as the returning nominees will not be looking to be “slotted” below anyone new. 

We are in the preliminary process of expanding our list to 300.

You know what we want you to do!

Take a look, and if you haven’t done so already, cast your vote and offer your opinion!

Baseball fans talk about this every day, and we now know who will comprise the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Let’s take a deep dive look into those chosen, those left off, and those who are off the ballot completely.

To the surprise of nobody, former New York Yankee infielder, Derek Jeter enters Cooperstown on his first year of eligibility.  Jeter entered on ___ of the ballot, and he joins his fellow career-Yankee, Mariano Rivera, as back-to-back first ballot Hall of famers.  Jeter would win five World Series Rings, was a 14-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger, and he would accumulate 3,465 Hits, 260 Home Runs and a .310 Batting Average. Jeter was denied a unanimous vote as one voter elected not to put the x by his name.

Jeter is joined by Larry Walker, who was in his last year of eligibility.  It is an incredible story, as Walker debuted on the ballot in 2011 with only 20.3% of the ballot.  He dropped as low as 10.2% in 2014, and only crept back to 21.9% in 2017.  He shot up to 34.1% in 2018, and rocketed to 54.6% last year. The momentum was rocketing for Walker, and he becomes the second Canadian to enter the Hall.

So, what changed?  Part of it is a re-evaluation of the Coors Field effect.  Another part is that the backlog of players has cleared. Perhaps, the biggest part is the recognition that regardless of what diamond he played on, that this is a former MVP who was a bona fide five-tool player.  That is rarified air.  He received 76.6% of the vote.

The former player who came closest is Curt Schilling who garnered 70% of the vote, who bluntly should have been in years ago based on his statistical accomplishments.  With a bWAR of 79.5, 3,116 Strikeouts and three World Series Rings, Schilling was a clutch performer who was at his best when the lights were at his brightest.  In Schilling’s fourth year of eligibility, he received 52.3% of the ballot, but comments against the media and other right-wing charged diatribes rubbed voters the wrong way, and he dropped o 45.0% in 2017.  Last year, he climbed to 60.9%.

Forgive us, as we are going to lump Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds together.  How can we not?  Clemens was the best Pitcher and Bonds was the best hitter without debate, but both are associated with PEDs (though neither was ever caught during their playing days), and both have finished their eighth year on the ballot.  They both had minimal gains this year, Clemens from 59.5% to 61.0% and Bonds from 59.1% to 60.7% but there is still a long way to go.   

Can they get there?

We think so, as three things work in their favor. The first is that Bonds and Clemens were at a different level than everyone else and you can argue (easily) that they would have been Hall of Famers without it.  The second is that Mike Piazza got in (as well as Jeff Bagwell), and there were more than one PED whisper about those two.  The third, and the most damming in our eyes is that Bud Selig is in, and the PED era happened under his watch, and he did not react until pressure forced him to.  Selig was not an ostrich, his head was not in the sand, and he knew what players were doing. He had too, and there have been voters who have said as much.

Former Shortstop, Omar Vizquel, is trending in the right direction.  This is his third year, and he moved from 42.8% to 52.6%.  Vizquel is considered to be one of the best defensive Shortstops of all-time, and he has 11 Gold Gloves to prove it.  While he was not considered to be a great hitter, he had 2,877 Hits to silence those critics.  That is a great number even if he played until he was 45!

Another infielder, Scott Rolen, is also climbing upwards.  With a healthy bWAR of 70.2, the Third Baseman has eight Gold Gloves, seven All-Star appearances and a World Series Ring (St. Louis, 2006) on his resume.  He moved from 17.2% to 35.3%

The best closer on the ballot, Billy Wagner, moved from 16.7% to 31.7%   He had 422 Saves over his career, with an ERA of 2.31 and WHIP of 0.998.

Gary Sheffield also received a jump on his sixth year of eligibility.  The former slugger who blasted 509 Home Runs, went from 13.6% to 30.5% This is a good sign for Sheffield as he was one of the guys was treading water for a long time, and while the odds still remain long, they are much better than they were yesterday.

Todd Helton is on his second year of eligibility, and he holds a very good career Slash Line of .316/.414/.539.  Helton moved from 16.5% to 29.2%

Manny Ramirez left baseball with 555 Home Runs and a Slash Line of .312/.411/.585.  That is a Hall of Fame number, but unlike Bonds and Clemens, Ramirez WAS suspended for PED use as an active player.  This is a huge distinction, as Ramirez did break an agreed upon rule agreed upon by the Players Union.  He moved from 22.8% to 28.2%.

Former MVP, Jeff Kent, finally climbs over 20% for the first time with 27.5%.  This is his seventh year on the ballot.

Andruw Jones remains on the ballot.  The former Braves’ Outfielder is on his third ballot and he went from 7.5% to 19.4%, a huge jump.

Sammy Sosa is entrenched in Hall of Fame purgatory. Sosa is like Clemens and Bonds, in that he was not caught as a player, but he is as associated with PEDs as much as they are.  Detractors are pointing to his fake media persona and lack of clutch hitting, and he is dead in the Hall of Fame water.  He had 8.5% last year, and hits 13.9% this year, his highest ever.

Andy Pettitte had 9.9% in his first year of eligibility.  In his second year, he moved to 11.3%.

Bobby Abreu barely made the 5.0% threshold to remain on the ballot for a second year.  He received 5.5%.

Paul Konerko, Jason Giambi, Eric Chavez, Cliff Lee, Brad Penny and J.J. Putz all received at least one vote.

Raul Ibanez, Rafael Furcal, Josh Beckett, Jose Valverde, Heath Bell, Chone Figgins, Carlos Pena, Brian Roberts, Alfonso Soriano and Adam Dunn did not receive any votes.

Jeter and Walker join Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller, who were chosen by the Veteran’s Committee.  Boston sportswriter, Nick Carfado, will also enter via the J.G. Taylor Spink Award.   It is a posthumous induction as he passed away last year.  The ceremony will take place on July 26.

We will be redoing our Notinhalloffame.com Baseball List in late February, which will see us remove those who were chosen, and we will add those now eligible.  Rankings will also be altered based on your votes and comments.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Derek Jeter     for being chosen for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in the National Hockey League.  This time, we finally get to the most important individual accolade in Major League Baseball, the MVP.

Before we rattle off the winners, let’s look at the history of the award first.

The first version of the award came in 1911, in which Hugh Chalmers of the Chalmers Automobile company would give an award to the “most important and useful player to the club and to the league”.  Chalmers discontinue the trophy after 1914, as it did not bring his company the overall recognition he desired.

In 1922, The American League brought back the MVP in 1922.  It was decided by eight writers, but they were only allowed to pick one player from each team and previous winners were declared ineligible.  Basically, if you are wondering why Babe Ruth only one MVP, that is why.  This trophy would last until 1928.

The National League began their own league MVP award in 1924, which would go on until 1929.  It did not have the same restrictions as their American League counterpart.

In 1931, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America revived the MVPs for both leagues, and their system of voting for ten players, with a weight system of 10 points to 1, remains in existence today.

So how many players have won the MVP have been enshrined to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the MVP in MLB who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Ty Cobb, AL: Detroit Tigers (1911)

It is very hard to start this with a better player.  In this era, you can’t.  Ty Cobb was a baseball legend, and while he was widely disliked by other players, none of them could ever say that Cobb was not one of the best the game had ever seen. “The Georgia Peach” would have many great seasons, and this one might have been the best of them all.  He would win the Batting and Slugging Title with personal best of .419 and .620, and he also had the best (and his own career-high) in OPS of 1.086.  Cobb also led the AL and put forth career-highs in Runs Scored (147), Hits (248), Doubles (24), Triples (24) and Runs Batted In (127).  Cobb went on to win seven more Batting Titles and is the all-time leader in Batting Average with .366.  He would not be just named to the Baseball Hall of Fame, but it went in with the inaugural class.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.

Tris Speaker, AL: Boston Red Sox (1912)

This was Speaker’s sixth season in baseball, and it was his best one to date.  He would have a career-high 222 Hits with a .383 Batting Average.  He would lead the AL in Doubles (53), Home Runs (10), and On Base Percentage (.464).  He would later have an even much better season in 1916 (when there were no MVPs) with the Cleveland Indians leading all aspects of the Slash Line (.386/.470/.502). Speaker went on to have 3,514 Hits, 792 Doubles (more than anyone else) and a .345 Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937.

Walter Johnson, AL: Washington Senators (1913)

There is no doubt that Walter Johnson was one of the greatest Pitchers ever, and if there were Pitcher of the Year award in his time, he would have won a plethora of them.  As it stands, this was his first of two MVPs, and he would lead the AL in Wins (36), Earned Run Average (1.14), Innings Pitched (346.0), FIP (1.90), WHIP (0.780), H/9 (6.0), BB/9 (1.0) and Strikeouts (243).  “The Big Train” would go on to win 417 Games and 3,509 Strikeouts. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Eddie Collins, AL: Philadelphia Athletics (1914)

One of the greatest hitters in the history of the game, Eddie Collins had already won three World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics, and this was his last year (in his first run) with the team. In 1914, Collins would lead the AL in Runs Scored (122) for the third straight year, and he would bat .344 with 181 Hits.  He would accept a deal to the Chicago White Sox, where he helped them win the 1917 World Series.  Collins would accumulate 3,315 Hits with a .333 Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Johnny Evers, NL: Boston Braves (1914)

Years after he was part of the triumvirate of the “Tinkers to Evers to Chance” infield that took the Chicago Cubs to two World Series Titles, he was double-crossed by Cubs Management.  In 1913, after electing to stay in Chicago after turning down a more lucrative contract with the upstart Federal League, the player/manager was dealt to the Boston Braves after he had helped sign all the Cubs to contracts.  With something to prove, Evers had what has to be considered his last productive season, batting .279 with a .390 OBP over 139 Games.  He would however, lead the Braves to a World Series win, and he batted .438 in the series.  Realistically, Evers probably should not have been the MVP on 1914, but nobody had more of a feel-good story that Evers did this year.  Evers would retire with 1,659 Hits.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

George Sisler, AL: St. Louis Browns (1922)

George Sisler was one of the best hitters ever and is a wonderful selection for the return of the American League MVP award. Sisler, who won the Batting Title in 1920, won it again this year with a .420 Batting Average.  He would also lead the AL in Hits (246), Runs Scored (136), Triples (18) and Stolen Bases (51).  Sisler had to sit out 1923 due to Sinusitis but returned to play until 1930.  He would accumulate 2,812 Hits with a lifetime Batting Average of .344.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Babe Ruth, AL: New York Yankees (1923)

This was not the best season of Babe Ruth’s career, but he had so many great ones that it can be sometimes be hard to tell them apart.  In 1923, Ruth led the American League in Runs Scored (151), Home Runs (41), Runs Batted In (130), Walks (170), On Base Percentage (.545) and Slugging Percentage (.764).  He also had a Batting Average of .393, his career-high.  The Yankees would also win the World Series that year with Ruth batting .368 with three Home Runs.  If you are wondering why this was Ruth’s only MVP, remember this was during a time when a player could not become a repeat champion as we stated in our opening. Ruth would rightfully be a part of the first ever Baseball Hall of Fame Class and had 714 Home Runs.  Ruth is also baseball’s all-time leader in Slugging (.690) and OPS (1.164).  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.

Walter Johnson, AL: Washington Senators (2) (1924)

Walter Johnson would become the first repeat MVP in Baseball, and he would do it 12 years apart.  Unlike Ruth, Johnson won his first MVP under the previous rules of the inaugural version.  This meant that he was not considered a repeat champion, and was eligible for this incarnation.  Johnson would go 23-7 leading the AL in Wins, ERA (2.72), FIP (3.31) and WHIP (1.116). He would take the Senators to win the 1924 World Series, the only one of the legend’s career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Dazzy Vance, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (1924)

With the return of the National League MVP (the second incarnation), Dazzy Vance would have the best season of his career, capturing this prestigious award.  Vance would go 28-6, leading the NL in Wins, ERA (2.16), Strikeouts (262), FIP (2.64) and WHIP (1.022).  All of those were career-highs.  The Pitcher would go on to win 190 Games with 1,918 Strikeouts over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

Rogers Hornsby, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1925)

Rogers Hornsby was the runner-up for the 1924 MVP, and in 1925, he would win his sixth straight Batting Title.  Hornsby had a Slash Line of .403/.489/.756, with the last component being a career-high.  The Second Baseman would also top the leader board with 39 Home Runs and 143 Runs Batted In. While he had a significant dip in production the year after, Hornsby would take the Cards to win the World Series. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1942.

Lou Gehrig, AL: New York Yankees (1927)

Lou Gehrig would win that honor three years into his tenure as the starting First Baseman with the New York Yankees.  He would have a Slash Line of 373/.474/.765 with 47 Home Runs.  He would lead the American League in Doubles (52) and Runs Batted In (173) and while it was not leading the AL, he had a career-high OPS of 1.240.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Paul Waner, NL: Pittsburgh Pirates (1927)

As a rookie, Paul Waner finished twelfth in MVP voting, and he would win the big award as a sophomore.  The Rightfielder would win his first of what would be three Batting Titles with a career-high .380.  He would also lead the National League in Hits (237), Triples (18), and Runs Batted In (131).  In the 1930s, Waner would have three top five finishes in MVP voting and would finish his career with 3,152 Hits and a .333 Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1952.

Mickey Cochrane, AL: Philadelphia Athletics (1928)

Mickey Cochrane was in his fourth season in baseball, and the Athletics Catcher finished fourth in MVP voting the year before. Cochrane won this award mostly on his leadership and defensive skills, though he had a solid Slash Line for a 1920s Catcher of .293/.395/.464.  Realistically, in the modern era, he would not win this MVP, and his 1928 bWAR of 3.3 was not in the top ten.  Intangibles won it for him this year, but he had much better seasons ahead.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Jim Bottomley, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1928)

Jim Bottomley would be the third different Cardinal in four seasons to win the MVP.  He would help the Cards win the World Series in 1926, and later in 1931, but 1928 was his best individual season.  The First Baseman would have a Slash Line of .325/.402/.628 with National League leading 20 Triples, 31 Home Runs and 136 Runs Batted In.  Bottomley would accumulate 2,313 Hits over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Rogers Hornsby, NL: Chicago Cubs (2) (1929)

Rogers Hornsby would become the second player to win the MVP twice, and the first to win it with two different teams.  This was Hornsby’s first season with the Cubs after one year with the Boston Braves, one with the New York Giants and 12 with the Cardinals.  Hornsby led the NL with 156 Runs Scored and a .679 Slugging Percentage, and he would also bat 380, with 229 Hits, 39 Home Runs and 149 Runs Batted In.  This was the end of greatness for Hornsby, but he would continue to play until 1937.  He would retire with 2,930 Hits with a Slash Line of .358/.434/.577.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1942.

Lefty Grove, AL: Philadelphia Athletics (1931)

With a now AP voted MVP for both leagues, the first one in the American League went to Lefty Grove, who had helped the Philadelphia Athletics win the previous two World Series.  Grove had many great seasons, but this was his best one.  He would have a record of a 31 and 4, with his 31 Wins leading the league.  The southpaw also finished first in ERA (2.06), Strikeouts (175), FIP (3.01) and WHIP (1.077).  Grove would go on to win an even 300 Wins with 2,266 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Frankie Frisch, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1931)

The first MVP of the AP/Modern MVP is of course, a St. Louis Cardinal.  Frankie Frisch had previously finished third and second in previous votes, ad in 1931, he would bat .311 with 161 Hits, which was not his best year, and his 3.7 bWAR, while good, is not exactly MVP worthy.   Frisch would help the Cardinals win the World Series this year, which would be his third overall, after winning two with the New York Giants.  He would win his fourth with the Redbirds in 1934. He would overall accumulate 2,880 Hits with a .316 Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Jimmie Foxx, AL: Philadelphia Athletics (1932)

The second Philadelphia Athletic in a row to win the modern MVP, following Lefty Grove.  By this time, Foxx had already won the World Series twice (1929 & 1930), but 1931 was his breakout to the hitting stratosphere.  Foxx had previously reached 30 Home Runs in the three earlier seasons, but he blasted 58 in 1932 with 169 Runs Batted In, both of which were league leading.  He would have a Slash Line of .364/.469/.749 with an OPS of 1.218.  Foxx would also for the first and only time lead the American League in Runs Scored with 151.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.

Chuck Klein, NL: Philadelphia Phillies (1932)

Chuck Klein was the first MVP from the Philadelphia Phillies, and he was the runner-up the season before.  In 1932, Klein would finish first in Runs Scored (152), Hits (226), Home Runs (38), Stolen Bases (20), Slugging Percentage (.646) and OPS (1.050), and he would also have an excellent Batting Average of .348 with 137 Runs Batted In.  Klein was the runner-up again for the National League MVP in 1933, and he went on to produce 2,076 Hits, 300 Home Runs with a .320 Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Jimmie Foxx, AL: Philadelphia Athletics (2) (1933)

For the third year in a row, the American League MVP, went to a Philadelphia Athletic as Foxx also made personal history by being the first ever back-to-back MVP.  The slugger would win his second straight Home Run (48) and RBI Title (163), while capturing his first Batting Title (.356).  Foxx also would lead the AL in Slugging (.703) and OPS (1.153).  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.

Carl Hubbell, NL: New York Giants (1933)

Carl Hubbell posted his first of five straight 20 Win seasons, with this season seeing him win 23 Games with a 1.66 ERA, both of which would be National League leading.  Hubbell also was an inaugural All-Star, and would go into nine in total. He would also lead the league in FIP (2.53), WHIP (0.982) and SO/BB (3.22).  That year was especially magical as he would lead the New York Giants in a World Series win over the Washington Senators.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Mickey Cochrane, AL: Detroit Tigers (2) (1934)

Mickey Cochrane became the first Catcher to win the MVP twice, but much like his first win in 1928, there were other years where he should have been considered as opposed to the year he won it.  Cochrane would have a very good Slash Line of .320/.428/.412 with a 4.5 bWAR, but he was not in the top ten in Offensive, Defensive of Overall bWAR.  In the next season, he would help the Tigers win the World Series, his third overall. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Dizzy Dean, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1934)

Dizzy Dean finished seventh in MVP voting in 1933, and in 1934, he would begin a three-year run of dominance in the National League.  Dean went 30-7 with a 2.66 ERA and a league-leading 195 Strikeouts.  He would hurl the Cardinals to a World Series title that year, and was the runner-up for the MVP in the two seasons that followed. Dean would overall go 150-83 in his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953.

Hank Greenberg, AL: Detroit Tigers (1935)

Hank Greenberg would become the first player to win an MVP, without going to the All-Star Game.  In this season, Greenberg would lead the league in Home Runs (36) and Runs Batted In (168), and he would post a Slash Line of .328/.411/.628. More importantly, Greenberg would power the Tigers to a World Series win.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956.

Gabby Hartnett, NL: Chicago Cubs (1935)

By this point in his career, Gabby Hartnett was a grizzle veteran who had played over a dozen seasons in the baseball, all with the Cubs.  The very respected Catcher batted .344, with a .949 OPS, and he was sixth in bWAR for Position Players.  This year , he would throw out 60% of all runners who tried to steal on him. Hartnett would later finish second in MVP voting in 1937.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

Lou Gehrig, AL: New York Yankees (2) (1936)

This was Gehrig’s second MVP, the first one coming in the award’s earlier incarnation.  Since the MVP was reintroduced in 1931, he was in the top five in voting each year, and he would finish second in both 1931 and 1932. This season, he would lead the AL in Runs Scored (167), Home Runs (49), Walks (130), On Base Percentage (.478), Slugging Percentage (.696) with a Batting Average of 354.  You know the story where he had to take himself out of the game in early 1939, and it was revealed that he contracted ALS (later renamed Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and he was forced into retirement.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame that year, and would pass away two years later.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Carl Hubbell, NL: New York Giants (2) (1936)

Carl Hubbell won his second MVP, the first coming in 1933.  He would finish ninth and sixth in the two seasons in-between.  This season, Hubbell won 26 Games with a 2.31 ERA, both of which would lead the National League.  He also finished number one in WHIP (1.059).  Hubbell would play until 1943, and he would finish with a record of 253-154 and a 2.98 ERA.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Charlie Gehringer, AL: Detroit Tigers (2) (1937)

Gehringer played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers, and in the five seasons before, he finished in the top five in MVP voting, which included a second place finish in 1934.  He had also previously helped the Tigers win the 1935 World Series. In ’37, Gehringer won his only Batting Title with a career-high .371, and he would also have a 7.4 bWAR, fourth in the AL.  Gehringer played until 1942, and would collect 2,839 Hits with 184 Home Runs.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1949.

Joe Medwick, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1937)

Joe Medwick was the third St. Louis Cardinal in a seven-year period to win the National League MVP, and he was a former World Series Champion in 1934.  1937 was the season he won the Triple Crown, with 31 Home Runs, 154 Runs Batted In and a .374 Batting Average.  He would also lead the NL in Runs Scored (111), Hits (237), Doubles (56) and OPS (1.056).  The Outfielder would be smack dab in the middle of a seven-year run of consecutive All-Star Games, and he would have two more when he was with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the early 1940s and a tenth with the New York Giants.  Medwick played until 1948, and he would accumulate 2,471 Hits, 205 Home Runs and a .324 Batting Average.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.

Jimmie Foxx, AL: Boston Red Sox (3) (1938)

Jimmie Foxx made history as the first man to win the MVP three times, but this time he was with the Boston Red Sox, whereas the first two were as a Philadelphia Athletic.  This season, Foxx would have his second 50 Home Run Season (finishing precisely at 50), and won his third RBI Title with a personal best of 175. He would sweep first place in the Slash Line with a .349/.462/.704 stat.  This season was also number six of nine All-Star Games for the slugger.  Foxx finished second in MVP voting the season after and played until 1945.  He retired with 2,644 Hits, 534 Home Runs, 1,922 RBIs and a 1.038 OPS.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.

Ernie Lombardi, NL: Cincinnati Reds (1938)

Ernie Lombardi had always been a good hitting Catcher, but in 1938, he won the Batting Title with a .342 Average.  He would also have 19 Home Runs and his 6.0 bWAR was also a career-high.  Lombardi won a World Series with the Reds in 1940 and he played until 1947 and retired with 1,792 Hits, 190 Home Runs and a .306 Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Joe DiMaggio, AL: New York Yankees (1939)

This was the fourth season of Joe DiMaggio’s career, and he was an All-Star in all of them.  The Outfielder would also finish with MVP votes in his first three seasons, eighth, second and sixth and in the last year of the 30s, he was considered the best in the American League.  DiMaggio won the Batting Title with a .381 Average and he would smash 30 Home Runs with 126 Runs Batted In.  He helped the Yankees win the World Series this year, and this was his fourth, making him four for four in World Series wins.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

Hank Greenberg, AL: Detroit Tigers (2) (1940)

This was Greenberg’s second MVP win, with the last coming in 1935.  In between the wins, Greenberg would have two third place finishes (1937 & 1938). In 1940, the Detroit Tiger would lead the AL in Doubles (50), Home Runs (41), Runs Batted In (150), Slugging Percentage (.670) and OPS (1.103), and he would also bat .340.  Greenberg would play until 1947, and won his second World Series with Detroit in 1945.  He retired with 331 Home Runs and a lifetime OPS of 1.017.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956.

Joe DiMaggio, AL: New York Yankees (2) (1941)

Entering year six of his Major League career, “Joltin” Joe DiMaggio would win his second MVP, with this coming off two years removed from his first.  He would finish third in the year between, keeping intact his run of top ten MVP placements.  DiMaggio’s 1941 stats saw him accumulate 30 Home Runs, 125 Runs Batted (league leading) and a .357 Batting Average.  He would also win the World Series this year, besting the Brooklyn Dodgers who were led by Dolph Camitti, the National League MVP.  This was also the year that DiMaggio would set a still unbroken record of 56 straight games with a hit.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

Joe Gordon, AL: New York Yankees (1942)

Joe Gordon had been in the top ten in MVP voting before, but this was his first win.  An All-Star nine times, Gordon was a spectacular defensive player, who had decent offensive capabilities.  This season, he was second in Defensive bWAR, had 18 Home Runs, 103 Runs Batted In and batted .322.  While the Yankees did not win the World Series this year, Gordon would win four with the Bronx Bombers and one final one with the Cleveland Indians in 1948. He would play until 1950, and would accumulate 1,530 Hits with 253 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Stan Musial, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1943)

World War II had broken out, and many of the players either volunteered or were drafted into military service.  This naturally alters the talent level in Baseball, and Musial himself would bypass MLB for the military in 1945.  In 1943, he was in baseball and was 22 years old. The future legend was poised for a breakout.  Stan “The Man” would lead the NL in Hits (220), Doubles (48), Triples (20), Batting Average (.357), On Base Percentage (.425) and Slugging Percentage (.562). The Cardinals would win the Pennant, but lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Hal Newhouser, AL: Detroit Tigers (1944)

Hal Newhouser was an All-Star twice before 1944, but he had a losing record, and was not the beneficiary of a lot of run support.  This changed in 1944, when he had a breakout season, and he dropped his already good ERA with 2.22.  Newhouser would lead the American League in Wins (29), and Strikeouts (187).  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Hal Newhouser, AL: Detroit Tigers (2) (1945)

Newhouser went back-to-back in MVPs, which made him the only player to win two titles in the World War II era.  This season, he would again lead the AL in Wins (25), and for the first time he won the ERA Title (1.81).  The hurler would also finish atop the leaderboard in Innings Pitched (313.1), Strikeouts (212), FIP (2.45) and H/9 (6.9).  The most important aspect is that Newhouser would hurl the Tigers to a World Series won two Games.  Now we noted that Newhouser won his MVPs during the war-depleted Majors, but he went on to finish second the year after and ninth two years after in MVP voting, He would overall win 207 Games with 1,796 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Ted Williams, AL: Boston Red Sox (1946)

Ted Williams debuted for in Baseball for the Boston Red Sox in 1939, and in 1941 and 1942, he was the runner-up for the American League MVP Award.  He served in the Military, and missed the 1943, 1944 and 1945 season, but he would not be denied the MVP in 1946.  The “Splendid Splinter” batted .342 with 38 Home Runs, 123 RBIs, and was league leading in On Base Percentage (.497) and Slugging Percentage (.667).  The career Red Sox Outfielder will be mentioned again! Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Stan Musial, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (2) (1946)

Stan Musial won his first MVP in 1943, and finished fourth in 1944.  He would miss the entire 1945 season due to military service, but he was ready to renascent to the top of the National League.  He would lead the National League in Runs Scored (124), Hits (228), Doubles (50), Triples (20), Batting Average (.365), Slugging Percentage (.587), and OPS (1.031)   Musial would also take St. Louis to their third World Series Championship in the decade. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Joe DiMaggio, AL: New York Yankees (3) (1947)

Like many of his peers, DiMaggio came back from military duty and returned to the elite.  This was a good season, where DiMaggio had 20 Home Runs with a Slash Line of .315/.391/.522, and would win his sixth World Series ring with the Yankees. Realistically, this should have gone to Ted Williams, who was a full 5.0 ahead of him in bWAR.  This was his last MVP win, though he had two more top ten finishes in MVP voting before retiring in 1951.  DiMaggio would have nine World Series Titles with 261 Home Runs and a .325 Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

Lou Boudreau, AL: Cleveland Indians (1948)

In 1948, Lou Boudreau was chosen for his seventh and final All-Star Game.  He had won the Batting Title in 1944 with a 327 season, but this year he would exceed that with a career-high .355 (though that did not earn him the Batting Title). He also posted personal bests in Hits (199), Home Runs (18), Runs Batted In (106), On Base Percentage (.453) and Slugging Percentage (.534).  Boudreau would take the Indians to a World Series Championship that year.  The Shortstop would play until 1952 and he retired with 1,779 Hits and a .295 lifetime Batting Average.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970.

Stan Musial, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (3) (1948)

“The Man” won his third (and final) MVP with a career-high 135 Runs Scored, 230 Hits, 131 Runs Batted In, .376 Batting Average, .450 On Base Percentage and .702 Slugging Percentage; all of which were league leading.  While this was the last MVP for Musial, his dominance continued for another decade. He would land four more Batting Titles, and retired in 1963 with a lifetime Slash Line of /331/.417/.559.  He would have four more second place finishes in MVP voting, and five more top ten tallies.  While Musial never won a Home Run Title, he retired with 475 of them.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Ted Williams, AL: Boston Red Sox (2) (1949)

This was Williams’ second (and final) MVP award, and this year he would have 43 Home Runs and 159 RBIs, both of which would lead the American League and were personal bests.  He batted .343, with a league leading On Base Percentage (.490), and Slugging Percentage (.650).  Williams would have five more top ten MVP finishes and would retire in 1960 with 2,654 Hits and 521 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Jackie Robinson, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (1949)

Jackie Robinson was not just the man who broke the color barrier.  He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1947, and two years later he was the MVP, making him the first black player to win it.  The Infielder would post career-highs in Hits (203), Runs Batted In (124), Stolen Bases (37), Batting Average (.342) and Slugging Percentage (.528). He won the Batting Title and Stolen Base Title, and also had 16 Home Runs.  Robinson took the Dodgers to the World Series, though lost to the New York Yankees.  He would play until 1956, and would win that coveted World Series in 1955.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.

Phil Rizzuto, AL: New York Yankees (1950)

Phil Rizzuto’s strength was his defense.  On seven occasions, the Shortstop would finish in the top three in Defensive bWAR in the American League.  1950 was no exception, as he was second in that metric, but this was by far his best offensive season career-highs of Hits (200), Runs Scored (125), Home Runs (7), Runs Batted In (66), Batting Average (.324), On Base Percentage (.418) and Slugging Percentage (.439).  More importantly, he was part of the Yankees dynasty that won another World Series in 1950.  Overall, “Scooter” had 1,588 Hits and seven World Series rings.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

Yogi Berra, AL: New York Yankees (1951)

Yogi Berra helped redefine the role of the Catcher, as he was equally adept helping with his bat as he was behind the plate. Berra was in his sixth season, and the New York Yankee was on his fourth consecutive All-Star Game.  Berra would bat .294 with 28 Home Runs and 124 RBIs, and remained a pillar on defense.  The Yanks went to the World Series, and would win marking the fourth championship of the Catcher’s career.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Roy Campanella, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (1951)

What Yogi Berra was to American League Catchers, Roy Campanella was to those in the National League, so how fitting that they would win their first MVPs in the same season.  Campy had 33 Home Runs, 108 Runs Batted In, and a Slash Line of .325/.393/.590.  Of mixed-race (His mother was black, and his father was Italian), he became the first black Catcher to be named MVP.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Roy Campanella, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (2) (1953)

Campanella won his first MVP in 1951, and in the year in between he finished tenth.  This season, he would put up career-high numbers in Home Runs (41), and Runs Batted In (142), with the latter being good enough to lead the American League.  Campy had a very good Slash Line of .312/.395/.611, and he would help the Dodgers win the National League Pennant.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Yogi Berra, AL: New York Yankees (2) (1954)

In the previous two seasons, which followed his first MVP, Yogi Berra finished fourth and second in MVP voting, and was still the consensus best Catcher in the American League.  His team, the Yankees would not win the American League Pennant (a rarity in that era), but Berra was still very good with 22 Home Runs, 125 Runs Batted In, and a Slash Line of .307/.367/.488.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Willie Mays, NL: New York Giants (1954)

Willie Mays debuted in 1951 and would promptly win the National Rookie of the Year Award.  He would miss 1953 due to military service, but when he returned, he immediately shot to baseball’s stratosphere as many suspected he would.  Mays won the Batting Title with a .345 Average, and was atop the leaderboard in Slugging Percentage (.667) and OPS (1.078).  Mays had excellent power numbers with 41 Home Runs and 110 Runs Batted In.  This year he would begin a streak of 19 consecutive All-Star Games.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Yogi Berra, AL: New York Yankees (3) (1955)

This was Berra’s second straight MVP, and his third in five seasons.  The popular Catcher again batted .272 with 27 Home Runs and 108 RBIs.  This was good, but his bWAR was half of what his teammate, Mickey Mantle had, which reflects how much writers valued any good hitting Catcher.  The Yankees would win the Pennant this year, but fell to the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Berra played until 1965 and would win 10 World Series Rings as a player.  He would also total 2,150 Hits and 358 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Roy Campanella, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (3) (1955)

This was Campanella’s third MVP in five years, and as per usual, the Catcher had strong power numbers with 32 Home Runs, 107 RBIs and a .318 Batting Average.  Much like Berra, Campanella had a teammate who surpassed him quite a bit in traditional and advanced stats in Duke Snider, and like Berra, this shows the writer’s bias towards good hitting Catchers.  Campy and the Dodgers would finally beat the Yankees for the World Series, so this was an especially sweet year for the Catcher.  He would miss parts of the next two seasons due to injury, but a car accident would render him paralyzed from the shoulders down in 1958, and he was not able to play with the team when they relocated to Los Angeles. He would retire with 1,161 Hits and 242 Home Runs.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Mickey Mantle, AL: New York Yankees (1956)

Realistically, Mickey Mantle should have won this accolade last year, but he was not to be denied in what was an even more impressive season.  Mantle led the American League in Runs Scored (132), Home Runs (52), Runs Batted In (130), Slugging Percentage (.705), and he would win his lone Batting Title with a .353 Average.  Mantle took his Bronx Bombers to their rightful throne as the World Series Champions, this being his fourth ring.  A World Series and the Triple Crown?  What a year! Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Mickey Mantle, AL: New York Yankees (2) (1957)

Mantle’s 1957 was almost as good as his 1956, and doesn’t that say something!  His Home Run total went down to 34, but his Batting Average went up to .365, a career-high. He also had a personal best in OBP with .512, and he matched his 11.3 bWAR, which he had the season before. Mantle was now the most popular Yankee, a title that means a lot in Baseball.  New York would win the Pennant but went down to the Milwaukee Braves.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Hank Aaron, NL:  Milwaukee Brewers (1957)

Hank Aaron, the one-time home run king only won the MVP once, and this was the season that he hammered the Braves into a World Series win this year.  This season was the first of four Home Run Titles, and he would go deep 44 times. Aaron also led the National League in Runs Scored (118) and Runs Batted In (132), and he batted .322.  Aaron may never had won another MVP, but he had five third place finishes and another five top ten finishes.  “Hammerin’” Hank played until 1976, and he would have 3,771 Hits with 755 Home Runs, and 2,297 Runs Batted In, which is still an all-time Major League record.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Ernie Banks, NL:  Chicago Cubs (1958)

Known as “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks popular as he was good, which says a lot!  The Shortstop had twice finished in the top ten in MVP voting, and this year he would win his first Home Run (47) and RBI Title (129), while also leading the NL in Slugging Percentage (.614).  Banks also batted .313 this year, and he was on his fourth of what would be 11 All-Star Games.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.

Nellie Fox, AL:  Chicago White Sox (1959)

Nellie Fox had already established himself as a top tier Second Baseman in the American League, as he had already led the AL four times in Hits, and he was on his ninth straight All-Star Game.  Fox had also finished in the top ten in MVP voting three times, and he was a vital member of the “Go Go” Sox teams of the 50s. This season, he batted .306 with 191 Hits, and was a Gold Glove winner.  Fox went to three more All-Star Games and would collect 2,663 Hits over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Ernie Banks, NL:  Chicago Cubs (2) (1959)

Banks was a back-to-back winner in MVP voting, and he would go deep 45 times with a .304 Batting Average.  The Chicago Cub would lead the NL in RBIs for the second straight year with a career-high 143.  He would finish fourth in MVP voting the following season, and win his second Home Run Title.  Banks never won a World Series, but in a career spent entirely at Wrigley, he would have 2,583 Hits with 512 Home Runs.  He would play until 1971.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.

Frank Robinson, NL:  Cincinnati Reds (1961)

Frank Robinson was the Rookie of the Year in 1956, and the Outfielder could do it all as a bona fide five tool baseball player. To date, Robinson had never had a season where he did not receive an MVP vote, and in 1961, he would finally finish first.  He would hit 37 Home Runs with 124 Runs Batted In, while batting .323.  His .611 Slugging Percentage and 1.015 OPS would lead the National League.  Robinson would take the Reds to the World Series in a losing effort against the New York Yankees.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Mickey Mantle, AL: New York Yankees (3) (1962)

The season after his exciting race with Roger Maris to 61 Home Runs, Mickey Mantle would win his third and final MVP.  The Outfielder won his first and only Gold Glove this year, and while he should not have won that accolade, his MVP was well earned with his 30 Home Runs and a Slash Line of .321/.486/.605.  Mantle would play until 1968 and he would be an All-Star sixteen times and won the World Series seven times, with this season being the seventh.  He retired with 2,415 Hits with 536 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sandy Koufax, NL: Los Angeles Dodgers (1963)

Sandy Koufax is known for having two careers. The first half (1955-60) was largely uneventful, and the second half (1961-66), where he had “the Left Hand of God”. Koufax was an All-Star the previous two seasons, and in 1963, he would go 25-5, leading the NL in Wins, ERA (1.88), Shutouts (11), Strikeouts (306), FIP (1.85), WHIP (0.875) and SO/BB (5.28). He would of course win the Cy Young, and did so again in 1965 and 1966.  In those two years he would place second in MVP voting.  In 1963, he would also win the World Series, earning MVP honors, and accolade he would repeat in 1965.  Koufax retired with a 165-87 Record and 2,396 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Brooks Robinson, AL: Baltimore Orioles (1964)

Brooks Robinson was regarded as one of the greatest defensive players that ever existed, and the Third Baseman was also an outstanding hitter.  Robinson would win the MVP in 1964, and he had career-highs with 194 Hits, 28 Home Runs, 118 Runs Batted In (led the league), .317 Batting Average, .368 OBP and .521 Slugging.  Robinson would later win two World Series Rings, and he won 16 Gold Gloves with 268 Home Runs and 2,848 Hits.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Willie Mays, NL: San Francisco Giants (2) (1965)

Over a decade after he won his first MVP, Mays and his Giants were now in San Francisco.  In between his first and second MVP, he was a contender for many of them, finishing in the top six in MVP voting in 10 of those 11 years.  His second MVP would see him blast 52 Home Runs, which would lead the National League, and was a personal high.  He would also finish first in On Base Percentage (.398), and Slugging Percentage (.645), and he would also have a 111 RBIs and a .317 Batting Average.  The Outfielder finished third in MVP voting the year after, and that would be the final season where Mays was in the top ten in MVP voting.  Mays ended his career in 1973 and would accumulate 3,283 Hits and 660 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Frank Robinson, AL:  Baltimore Orioles (2) (1966)

Frank Robinson made history as the first player to win the MVP in both the National League and American League.  Robinson was traded the year before when Cincinnati management felt that his best years were behind him, which was promptly proven wrong when he won the Triple Crown with 49 Home Runs, 122 RBIs and a .316 Batting Average.  He would also finish first in the AL in Runs Scored (122), On Base Percentage (.410), and Slugging Percentage (.637), and he was the MVP in the World Series, the first championship for the franchise in Baltimore.  Robinson would again make history by becoming the first black Manager in the Majors, and he would be the AL Manager of the Year in 1989.  As a player, Robinson retired with 2,943 Hits and 586 Home Runs and was a two-time World Series Champion as a player.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Roberto Clemente, NL:  Pittsburgh Pirates (1966)

Arguably the most important Latin American baseball player of all-time, Roberto Clemente was on his seventh straight All-Star Game appearance and the career Pirate had already won three Batting Titles.  He did not win his fourth in 1966 (he would win it in 1967) but as always, he put forth excellent offensive numbers by batting .317, and collecting 105 Runs, 202 Hits, 29 Home Runs and 119 RBIs.  Over the Puerto Rican legend’s career, he would have 12 All-Star seasons, 12 Gold Gloves and win two World Series Titles. Clemente’s career tragically ended after the 1972 season, when the plane that he was in crashed, killing all aboard. He was on his way to Nicaragua to aid in earthquake relief.  Clemente would record an even 3,000 Hits over his career.  He would be fast tracked into the Hall of Fame the year after.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.

Carl Yastrzemski, AL:  Boston Red Sox (1967)

If baseball fans in Boston weren’t convinced that Carl Yastrzemski was the face of the Red Sox, they were after this season. “Yaz” won the coveted Triple Crown with 44 Home Runs, 121 Runs Batted In and a .326 Batting Average, and he was also the league leader in Runs Scored (112), Hits (189), On Base Percentage (.418), and Slugging Percentage (622).  Playing his entire career with Boston, Yastrzemski would win three Batting Titles, five OBP Titles, three Slugging Titles and was an All-Star eighteen times. He retired in 1983 with 3,419 Hits and 452 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Orlando Cepeda, NL:  St. Louis Cardinals (1967)

Orlando Cepeda was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1958 when he was with the San Francisco Giants, and he would promptly go to the next six All-Star Games.  He was traded to the Cardinals in 1966, and in 1967, he was chosen for his seventh and last All-Star Game, but this year, he was part of an excellent team that won the World Series.  Cepeda had 25 Home Runs, and would lead the NL in RBIs (111), with a career-high .325 Batting Average.  There were others who could have been chosen for this, but there was no runaway candidate. Cepeda played until 1974, and he would retire with 2,351 Hits with 379 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Bob Gibson, NL:  St. Louis Cardinals (1968)

Before 1968, Bob Gibson had already won two World Series Rings with the St. Louis Cardinals, and he was the MVP in both of those championships.  In 1968, Gibson went 22-9 with an anemic ERA of 1.12, which of course was leading the National League.  Gibson also led all NL Pitchers in Shutouts (13), Strikeouts (268), FIP (1.77), WHIP (0.853), and H/9 (5.8).  The Cardinals won the Pennant, but Gibson was not able to will the Redbirds over the Detroit Tigers in the World Series this year.  Gibson would later win his second Cy Young in 1970, and he would retire with a record of 251-174 and 3,117 Strikeouts.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Harmon Killebrew, AL:  Minnesota Twins (1969)

Harmon Killebrew might be the greatest player in Minnesota Twins history, and if he is not, he is certainly the most iconic. “The Killer” would win his sixth (and final) Home Run Title, and he would tie his personal best with 49 taters. Killebrew would finish first in the AL with 140 RBIs, 145 Walks, and an OBP of .427, which also was personal bests. While overall, this may not have been the best year for Killebrew, it is hard to state that he should not have been an MVP at some point in his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Willie McCovey, NL:  San Francisco Giants (1969)

How good was Willie McCovey?  He was able to escape the shadow of Willie Mays.  In 1969, McCovey won his third Home Run Title (45) and second RBI Title (126), and he would also finish first in On Base Percentage (.453), Slugging Percentage (.656), and OPS (1.108).  McCovey would also bat .320, the highest of his career. He was third the in MVP voting the year before, and was ninth the season after.  He played until 1980, and would accumulate 2,211 Hits and 521 Home Runs.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. 

Johnny Bench, NL:  Cincinnati Reds (1970)

Two seasons removed from winning the Rookie of the Year, Johnny Bench won his first MVP.  The Reds Catcher would finish first in the National League in Home Runs (45), Runs Batted In (148), and he would have a Slash Line of .293/.345/587, with the Batting Average and Slugging Percentage being career-highs.  Bench would also earn his third of what would be ten straight Gold Gloves.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Joe Torre, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1971)

In 1971, Joe Torre went to his seventh of nine All-Star Games, and he would have the best year of his career.  Torre would lead all National League batters in Hits (230), Runs Batted In (137) and Batting Average (.363), and he would have 24 Home Runs.  Playing at Third Base this year, Torre played until 1977, and would accumulate 2,343 Hits with 252 Home Runs.  As good as he was as a player, he would have a more successful career as a Manager where he would win four World Series rings with the New York Yankees.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 (as a manager).

Johnny Bench, NL:  Cincinnati Reds (2) (1972)

Just like in 1970, Johnny Bench would lead the NL in Home Runs (40) and RBIs (125), and this season he would bat .370 with a career-high in Walks (100) and On Base Percentage (.379).  In the next three years, Bench would finish in the top ten in MVP voting and he was in the middle of a thirteen-year run of All-Star Game appearances.  Bench would play his entire career with the Reds and helped them win two World Series Titles.  He retired in 1983 with 2,048 Hits and 389 Home Runs.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Reggie Jackson, AL:  Oakland Athletics (1973)

This was Reggie Jackson’s first time winning the Home Run Title, and he would do it again three other years.  Jackson would also lead the American League in Runs Scored (99), Runs Batted In (117), Slugging Percentage (.531) and OPS (.914), and this was also the second of three straight World Series Titles for Jackson and the Oakland A’s.  “Mr. October” would have five World Series rings in total with 563 Home Runs in his career.  Jackson would have six other years where he would finish in the top ten in MVP voting, which included a second-place finish in 1980.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Joe Morgan, NL:  Cincinnati Reds (1975)

By this time, Joe Morgan had already established himself as the best Second Baseman in Baseball, and he finished fourth and eighth in MVP voting in the last two years.  The Reds were ready to take over, and with previous MVPs Pete Rose and Johnny Bench, Morgan led “The Big Red Machine” to a Championship in 1975, and Morgan won not only the MVP, the Gold Glove, and he led the NL in On Base Percentage (.466) and OPS (.974).  Morgan also had 17 Home Runs with a .327 Batting Average.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Joe Morgan, NL:  Cincinnati Reds (2) (1976)

Joe Morgan did it again, doubling up as MVP and World Series Champion, and for the fourth time he would lead the National League in On Base Percentage (.444).  This season, he would also win the Slugging Title (.576), OPS Title (1.020), and would have career-highs in Home Runs (27), and Runs Batted In (111). Morgan was also an All-Star for the seventh of what would be ten times, and he secured his fourth (of five) Gold Gloves.  The Second Baseman played until 1984, and he would have 2,517 Hits with 268 Home Runs and 689 Stolen Bases.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Rod Carew, AL: Minnesota Twins (1977)

While Rod Carew had an MVP case in earlier seasons, he was not going to be denied in 1977.  The Panamanian finished in the top nine in MVP voting the last four seasons, and this year he won his sixth of seven Batting Titles.  It was not just a league-leading Batting Average, it was an incredible .388.  He also finished first in the AL in On Base Percentage (.449), OPS (1.019), Runs Scored (128), Hits (239) and Triples (16), and he would be named an All-Star in the first 18 of his 19 seasons in the Majors.  Carew played until 1985, and retired as a member of the 3,000 Hit Club with 3,053.  He would bat .328 over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Jim Rice, AL: Boston Red Sox (1978)

Jim Rice finished fourth in MVP voting the year before, when he won his first Batting Title.  In 1978, Rice won his second (of three) Home Run crowns, and he did so with a career-high 46.  He would also lead the AL in Hits (213), Triples (15), RBIs (139), Slugging Percentage (.600), and OPS (.970), and he would Have a nice Batting Average of .315. Rice would go on to have three more top five finished in MVP voting and in a career spent entirely with the Red Sox, he would accumulate 2,452 Hits, 382 Home Runs and was an eight-time All-Star. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Willie Stargell, NL:  Pittsburgh Pirates (1979)

While Willie Stargell is a deserving Hall of Famer, this might be one of the worst MVP selections ever.  His 2.5 bWAR is the worst to date for any MVP, and his co-winner, Keith Hernandez, had more than triple what Stargell had.  This was the last good season of Stargell’s career, and he had been an All-Star seven times before, and was an MVP runner-up twice before in much better years.  Stargell did not even get to 120 Hits, though his 32 Home Runs and .281 Batting Average were decent, but not MVP worthy.  What Stargell did accomplish was win the World Series, which combined with sentiment propelled him to this honor.  He retired three years later with 2,232 Hits and 475 Home Runs.    Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

George Brett, AL:  Kansas City Royals (1980)

While George Brett arguably should have won an MVP already, Brett’s 1980 season was exceptionally impressive.  The Royals’ Third Baseman led everyone in the AL in the Slash Line (.390/.454/.664), and he would have 24 Home Run with a career-high 118 Runs Batted In.  Brett only played 117 Games, but he would have a stellar bWAR of 9.4.  Largely because of Brett, The Royals would win the Pennant, though would lose to the Philadelphia Phillies.  Brett played his entire career in Kansas City where he would accumulate 3,154 Hits, 317 Home Runs, and a Batting Average of .309.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mike Schmidt, NL:  Philadelphia Phillies (1980)

Mike Schmidt and the Philadelphia Phillies would finally make history as the Third Baseman would take the hard luck franchise to their first ever World Series Championship.  Schmidt was third in MVP voting in 1976, would win his fourth Home Run Title in 1980, with what would be a career-best of 48.  This was his first RBI Title, and his 121 ribbies was his personal best.  Schmidt would also lead the National League in Slugging Percentage (.624) and OPS (1.004). Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Rollie Fingers, AL:  Milwaukee Brewers (1981)

Rollie Fingers had already won three World Series Rings with the Oakland A’s, and here he was in his first season in Milwaukee winning the elusive Cy Young and MVP.  Fingers would lead the AL in Saves with 28, and had an exemplary ERA of 1.04, with a WHIP of 0.872.  The Brewers would go to the playoffs for the first time this year.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Mike Schmidt, NL:  Philadelphia Phillies (2) (1981)

In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Mike Schmidt maintained his elite status as the best Third Baseman in the National League. The career Philadelphia Phillie would win his fifth Home Run Crown (31), second RBI Title (91), and for the first time in his career would finish atop the National League in On Base Percentage (.435).  He was also first in Slugging (.644) and OPS (1.080).  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Robin Yount, AL:  Milwaukee Brewers (1982)

An All-Star for the second time in his career, Robin Yount would lead the American League in Hits (210), Doubles (46), Slugging Percentage (.578), and OPS (.957), and had a career-best in Batting Average (.331), Home Runs (29), and RBIs (114).  Yount would lead the Brewers to the American League Pennant, though Milwaukee would lose to the St. Louis Cardinals.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Cal Ripken, AL:  Baltimore Orioles (1983)

The legendary Shortstop won the Rookie of the Year the year before and in 1983 Cal Ripken cemented himself as the premier player at his position.  The career Baltimore Oriole would lead the AL in Runs Scored (121), Hits (211) and Doubles (47), with all of those numbers being his personal best.  Ripken had a Slash Line of .318/.371/.571 and he was named to the All-Star Game, a trend that he would continue until he retired in 2001.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Ryne Sandberg, NL:  Chicago Cubs (1984)

Ryne Sandberg had already established himself as an upper echelon Second Basemen in the National League, but this was the year that Phillies fans were beyond consolation over letting Sandberg go in a trade three years before.  The Second Baseman would finish first in Runs Scored (114) and Triples (19), and he would have a career-high .314 Batting Average.  Sandberg would have two more fourth place finishes in his career for the MVP and he would play until 1997 with 2,386 Hits and 282 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Mike Schmidt, NL:  Philadelphia Phillies (3) (1986)

Mike Schmidt made the rare three-time MVP club in 1986, and he was also earning his eighth (and final) Home Run Title this year, with his 37 dingers.  Schmidt would also lead the National League in RBIs (119), Slugging Percentage (.547), and OPS (.937), and he would play three more seasons, retiring in 1989. Schmidt retired with 12 All-Star Game appearances, 548 Home Runs and 2,234 Hits.  This is without a doubt the greatest Philadelphia Phillie ever, and the success they had in the 1980s does not happen without him.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Andre Dawson, NL:  Chicago Cubs (1987)

Andre Dawson joined the Chicago Cubs as a Free Agent in the era of collusion, and the Cubs got an MVP for a half a million dollars. “The Hawk” would lead the National League in Home Runs (49) and Runs Batted In (137), which were both career-highs. He would bat .287 that year. Dawson would belt 438 Home Rus and 2,774 Hits over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Robin Yount, AL:  Milwaukee Brewers (2) (1989)

Robin Yount might not have had led any offensive category, but this was an excellent campaign.  Yount would have 21 Home Runs, 101 Runs, 103 RBIs, and a Slash Line of .318/.384/.511.  He played his entire career with the Brewers, accumulating an impressive 3,142 Hits, and 251 Home Runs.  Even though he was only a three-time All-Star, this was a star in every sense of the word and a worthy first ballot Hall of Fame inductee.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Rickey Henderson, AL Oakland Athletics (1990)

For the 10^thtime in his career, Rickey Henderson won the Stolen Base Title, but he also matched his previous high of 28 Home Runs.  He would have career-highs in all aspects of the Slash Line (.325/.439/.577), and his OBP was good enough to lead the American League, which was the first time that happened.  The A’s would go to their third straight World Series, though they lost this year to the Cincinnati Reds.  Henderson played until 2003, and retires as the all-time leader in Runs Scored (2,295), and Stolen Bases (1,406).  He would also accumulate 3,055 Hits with a .401 On Base Percentage.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Cal Ripken, AL:  Baltimore Orioles (2) (1991)

While Cal Ripken did not lead the AL in any traditional metric, his 11.5 bWAR was far and away the best in the league.  Ripken would have his best power numbers with 34 Home Runs and 114 RBIS, and he also set a personal best with his .323 Batting Average.  Ripken was in the middle of the all-time record of 2,632 consecutive Games.  Over his career, Ripken would accrue 3,184 Hits with 431 Home Runs and 1,695 Runs Batted In.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Dennis Eckersley, AL:  Oakland Athletics (1992)

Dennis Eckersley was an integral part of Oakland’s three straight American League Pennants (1988-90), and this season “Eck” would lead the AL in Saves (51), Games Finished (65) and would also win the Cy Young.  For all intents and purposes, this was his last good year, and he played until 1998. His career was truly two halves, the first as a good starter, and his second as an elite reliever.  He retired with 197 Wins and 390 Saves.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Frank Thomas, AL:  Chicago White Sox (1993)

“The Big Hurt” was in the top ten in MVP voting the last two seasons, and in the 1993 season, he would belt 41 Home Runs with 128 Runs Batted In, and a Slash Line of .317/.426/.607.  None of these would lead any offensive category, but this was still an incredible offensive year that began a five-year run of All-Star runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Frank Thomas, AL:  Chicago White Sox (2) (1994)

Frank Thomas was excellent again with his bat, leading the American League in Runs Scored (106), On Base Percentage (.487), Slugging Percentage (.729), and OPS (1.217).  The last three of those were personal bests for the slugger.  Thomas would also bat a career-high .353 and 38 Home Runs and 101 RBIs.  He would go on to finish in the top eight in MVP voting in the next three seasons and was the runner-up in 2000.  He played until 2008 and would hammer 521 Home Runs with 1,704 RBIs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Jeff Bagwell, NL:  Houston Astros (1994)

In the strike-shortened 1994 season, Jeff Bagwell planted his flag as an upper-echelon player.  He would lead the National League in Runs Scored (104), Runs Batted In (116), Slugging Percentage (.750) and OPS (1.201).  The former Rookie of the Year had 39 Home Runs with a .368 Batting Average that year.  Bagwell would go on to have five more top ten MVP finishes, and he would play his entire career with the Houston Astros retiring in 2005.  He would have 2,314 Hits with 449 Home Runs over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Barry Larkin, NL:  Cincinnati Reds (1995)

Spending his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds, Barry Larkin was their Shortstop from 1986 to 2004.  Larkin was an 12-time All-Star, and this year was right in the middle of his career.  He would have 15 Home Runs and batted .319, which was a career-high.  Larkin would also win the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger this season, and he would retire winning three Gold Gloves and nine Silver Sluggers.  He also had 2,340 Hits with 198 Home Runs and 379 Stolen Bases over his career.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Ken Griffey, AL:  Seattle Mariners (1997)

The statistical argument can be stated that Ken Griffey Jr. was worthy of more than one MVP, but this was the one that he captured and thank God that he did.  This season, Griffey led all American League batters with 125 Runs Scored, 56 Home Runs, 147 Runs Batted In, and a Slugging Percentage of .646.  He would also bat .304.  “Junior” would win four Home Run Titles in his career, and was also in the top ten in MVP voting five other seasons.  He played until 2010, and would accumulate 2,781 Hits with 630 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Ivan Rodriguez, AL:  Texas Rangers (1999)

Ivan Rodriguez had already been considered for a few years to be the best Catcher in the American League.  1999 would see “Pudge” go to his eighth of what would be 14 All-Star Games, and he was also named a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove, of which he would have seven and thirteen respectively.  This season, he would bat .332 with a career-high 35 Home Runs and 113 Runs Batted In.  He would not lead the AL in any offensive category, but for a Catcher, his numbers were spectacular.   The Rangers made the playoffs that year, but were beaten by the New York Yankees in the American League Divisional Series.  Rodriguez would later lead the Florida Marlins to the World Series in 2003, where he was the NLCS MVP.  He played until 2011, and retired with 2,844 Hits and 311 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Chipper Jones, NL:  Atlanta Braves (1999)

Chipper Jones played his entire career with the Atlanta Braves, and in 1999 he would belt a career-high 45 Home Runs with 110 Runs Batted In, and a Slash Line of .319/.441/.633, which equated to a personal best OPS of 1.074.  While Jones would not lead the National League in any stat, his numbers were certainly fantastic.  Jones would be named to  eight All-Star Games, win two Silver Sluggers, and the 2008 Batting Title.  He retired in 2012 with 2,726 Hits and 468 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Vladimir Guerrero, AL:  Anaheim Angels (2004)

After eight seasons with the Montreal Expos, Vladimir Guerrero joined the Angels and continued to have one of the seasons that was expected from him.  Guerrero led the American League with 124 Runs Scored and had 39 Home Runs with 126 Runs Batted In.  The “Impaler” had a Slash Line of .337/.391/.598, and while advanced metrics would say that this was not the best year of his career, this was a player who was MVP worthy.  Guerrero played until the 2011 season and the nine-time All-Star and retired with 2,590 Hits and 449 Home Runs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

 

 

 

The following are the players who have won the MVP in MLB who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Frank Schulte, NL: Chicago Cubs (1911)

Helping the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 1907 and 1908, Frank Schulte would have better seasons to come.  Schulte made history as the first player in the National League to win a version of their MVP in 1911, and he would lead the NL in Home Runs with 21, which was an incredible number for that time.  This year, he would become the first player ever to have at least 20 Doubles, Triples, Home Runs and Stolen Bases, and he would have a Slash Line of .300/.384/.534.  He would continue to play until 1918 and had 1,766 Hits over his career.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Larry Doyle, NL: New York Giants (1912)

One of the most popular players of his day, Larry Doyle finished third in MVP voting the season before.  This year he would bat .330 with 184 Hits.  In 1915, when there was no MVP award, Doyle would win his only Batting Title while also leading the National League in Hits (189) and Doubles (40).  He would accumulate 1,887 Hits over his career that was mostly spent with the New York Giants. Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jake Daubert, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (1913)

Jake Daubert was an underrated hitter in terms of history, but this was not the case in 1913, where he would win his first of two straight batting titles.  This year, Daubert would bat .350, which was his personal best.  He would also have a career-high of .405 in On Base Percentage. Daubert would accumulate 2,326 Hits, 165 Triples, 251 Stolen Bases and a .303 lifetime Batting Average.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Roger Peckinpaugh, AL: Washington Senators (1925)

This is a very strange choice, as while Roger Peckinpaugh was a very good defensive Shortstop, this award happened near the end of his career, and offensively.  This year, he only had 124 Hits, though he did have bat .294, the second highest of his career.  This was a good player but with a 2.6 bWAR, he is among the worst MVPs in Baseball history. He would have 1,876 Hits with a career Defensive bWAR of 25.0 over his career.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

George Burns, AL: Cleveland Indians (1926)

George Burns would have the best season of his life this year and he would have a personal best of 216 Hits and 64 Doubles, both of which would lead the American League.  Burns would have a Slash Line that year of .358/.394/.494.  Over his career, he would win the World Series twice, one with Cleveland (1920) and one with the Philadelphia Athletics (1929). He would have 2,018 Hits with a .307 Batting Average over his career.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Bob O’Farrell, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1926)

Bob O’Farrell was a highly regarded defensive Catcher, and he would become the first man at his position to win an MVP. He would have 144 Hits with a .293 Batting Average and he would help the Cardinals win the World Series that year. He played until 1935, and would have 1,120 career hits.  O’Farrell was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 2.4% in 1950.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bucky Walters, NL: Cincinnati Reds (1939)

While Bucky Walters may have been an All-Star in 1937 when he was the Philadelphia Phillies, he truly arrived in 1939 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.  Walters was the second Red in a row to win the MVP, and he would lead the National League in Wins (27), ERA (2.29), Innins Pitched (319) and WHIP (1.125).  He would finish third in MVP voting the following season and help Cincinnati win the World Series.  He would retire with 198 Wins.  Walters was on the ballot for fifteen years, finishing as high as 23.7% in 1968.  Ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Frank McCormick, NL: Cincinnati Reds (1940)

For the third consecutive year, a Cincinnati Red won the National League MVP, and this year it was Frank McCormick, their First Baseman.  As you can imagine, this led to them winning the 1940 World Series. This was the third season in a row that McCormick would lead the NL in Hits, and he also finished number one in Doubles (44).  He would bat .309 this year with 19 Home Runs, and he finished in the top five in MVP voting the two years prior.  He would be named to nine All-Stars over his career, and he would accumulate 1,711 Hits with a .299 Batting Average.  McCormick was on the ballot for four years, finishing as high as 4.0% in 1964. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dolph Camilli, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (1941)

Dolph Camilli had already proven himself to be a proven power hitter as the First Baseman had previously hit at least 23 or more Home Runs the last six years.  A popular player in Brooklyn, Camilli’s 1941 campaign would see him lead the NL in Home Runs (34) and Runs Batted In (120), both were personal highs.  He also batted .285 with a .407 On Base Percentage, which was on par from what should be expected by Camilli. The Dodgers would win the pennant that year, but lost to the New York Yankees.  He would play until 1945.  Camilli was on the ballot for four years, finishing as high as 1.5% in 1958. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mort Cooper, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1942)

Cooper ascended to the ace of the Cardinals staff this year, and he would lead the NL in Wins (22), ERA (1.78), Shutouts (10), WHIP (0.987) and SO/BB (2.24).  While Cooper was not great in the World Series (which St. Louis won), he was a huge factor in their pennant win.  The pitcher remained in the league during World War II, and he would finish in the top ten in MVP voting on two more occasions.  Cooper remained in Baseball until 149, and he would retire with a 129-75 record.  Cooper was on the ballot for four years, finishing as high as 1.1% in 1958. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Spud Chandler, AL: New York Yankees (1943)

Spud Chandler had a career season where he led the American League in Wins (20), ERA (1.64), FIP (2.30) and WHIP (0.992), and went to win the World Series by securing two Wins in the Fall Classic. This was by far the best season he would ever have, and he would win a third World Series Ring in 1947. Overall, Chandler won 109 Games in the Majors.  Chandler was on the ballot for five years, finishing as high as 3.0% in 1958.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Marty Marion, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1944)

Arguably, this was a strange selection, as Marion was not the best hitter, and he would bat .267 with 6 Home Runs, and 135 Hits, which was a typical offensive season for him.  The Shortstop was nicknamed the “Octopus”, and he could always be counted on to be a wizard with the glove, and while advanced metrics were not known in 1944, Marion was the leader in Defensive bWAR with a whopping 3.6.  It is weird, in that the voters recognized this side of the game, which is rare.  Marion would take the Cardinals to the World Series win that year.  Marion was on the ballot for fifteen years, finishing as high as 40.0% in 1970.  Ranked #56 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Phil Cavarretta, NL: Chicago Cubs (1945)

Cavarretta’s best seasons in Major League Baseball did take place during World War II, so when he is criticized historically for not being a great player, you can see why that might be the case.  No matter.  In 1945 Cavarretta won the Batting Title (.355), On Base Percentage (.449), and he would help the Cubs win the National League Pennant.  He played until 1955, and would collect 1,977 Hits.  Cavarretta was on the ballot for fourteen years, finishing as high as 35.6% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bob Elliott, NL: Boston Braves (1947)

This was the first year that Elliott was with the Braves after eight years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Elliott had finished in the top ten in MVP voting three times before, but in ’47, he set career-highs in Batting Average (.317), Slugging Percentage (.517) and Runs Batted In (113), with a 22 Home Run Year.  Elliott played until 1953 and he would accumulate 2,061 Hits and 170 Home Runs.  Elliott was on the ballot for three years, finishing as high as 2.0% in 1964.  Ranked #95 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jim Konstanty, NL: Philadelphia Phillies (1950)

Jim Konstanty might be the most unlikeliest player to have ever won the MVP Award.  First off, he had an average career at best prior to this win, and he went right back to that afterwards.  Second, Konstantu was a reliever, who didn’t start a single game in 1950.  That is common now, but in 1950, closers were not part of the baseball vernacular.  Regardless, the member of the Whiz Kids Phillies team that won the National League Pennant was excellent this season going 16-7 and leading the NL in Games Pitched (74), Games Finished (62) and Saves (22).  He was an All-Star this year, for the first and only time, and he would later make dubious history as the first MVP to not even appear on a Hall of Fame ballot.  Konstanty was eligible for the Hall of Fame in 1962 but was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.    

Bobby Shantz, NL: Philadelphia Athletics (1952)

This was by far the best season by far for Bobby Shantz, who was an All-Star the previous season, but his ’52 year was so much better.  Shantz led the American League in 24 Wins, and also led the AL in WHIP (1.048), BB/9 (2.0), and SO/BB (2.41).  His Schantz 9.3 bWAR was higher than his closest competitor, Larry Doby by 2.1. He would later win the ERA Title in 1957, and a plethora of Gold Gloves, but realistically he was a Pitcher with one great season.  He would finish his career with a 119-99 record with 1,072 Strikeouts.  Shantz was on the ballot for five years, finishing as high as 2.3% in 1975.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hank Sauer, NL: Chicago Cubs (1952)

While Hank Sauer had a good year, he likely should not have won this MVP, as Stan Musial, Robin Roberts and Jackie Robinson had much better bWARs, but this is not to say that Sauer’s ’52 was average.  The Chicago Cub had a great year with 37 Home Runs and 121 Runs Batted In.  That led the National League, and likely landed him the MVP.  He would also bat .270 that year, and this was his second of two All-Star Game appearances.  Sauer played until 1959 and would retire with 288 Home Runs.  Sauer was on the ballot for one year, and finished with 1.3% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Al Rosen, AL: Cleveland Indians (1953)

A career Cleveland Indian, AL Rosen won the Home Run Title in 1950, and in 1952 was the leader in Runs Batted In.  In 1953, he did both.  He would post career-bests in those metrics (43 Home Runs) and (145 Runs Batted In) and in all three Slash Line components (.336/.422/.613).  His Slugging Percentage was also league leasing as was his OPS (1.034).  Rosen played three more seasons and finished his career with 1,063 Hits and 192 Home Runs.  Bauer was eligible for the Hall of Fame in 1962, but was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Newcombe, NL: Brooklyn Dodgers (1956)

This was the first year of the Cy Young Award, which was designated to be given to the best Pitcher.  From 1956 to 1966, there was only one award given, and not one per league.  It only took one year for us to see the first dual winner of the MVP and Cy Young as Don Newcombe captured them both in 1956.  Newcombe was the Rookie of the Year in 1949 and he was already a two-time 20 Game winner, but he would secure 27 Wins in 1956 and led the NL in WHIP with 0.989.  That was the last great year he would have, and he would only have two more 10 Win Seasons. Newcombe played until 1960 and he retired with 149 Wins against 90 Losses.  Newcombe was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 15.3% in 1980.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jackie Jensen, AL: Boston Red Sox (1958)

This was the best season of Jackie Jensen’s career, and while this should have gone to Mickey Mantle, Jensen did post good numbers for the Red Sox.  Jensen had 35 Home Runs and led the AL in Runs Batted in with 122.  He also had an excellent Slash Line of .286/.396/.535. Jensen was an All-Star for the third and final time this year and won the RBI Title the following season, but he would be out of the game two years after.  He retired with 199 Home Runs and 1,463 Hits.  Jensen was on the ballot for six years and finished as high as 1.1% in 1968.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Roger Maris, AL: New York Yankees (1960)

While most people think of Maris’ record breaking 1961 season, he was an MVP the season before in 1960 when he led the AL in Runs Batted In (112) and Slugging Percentage (.581).  He would have 39 Home Runs, won the Gold Glove, and helped the Yankees win the Pennant, though they would lose to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Maris was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 43.1% in 1988.  Ranked #20 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dick Groat, NL: Pittsburgh Pirates (1960)

The 1960 season was a magical one for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they were able to win the National League Pennant and go on to defeat the loaded dynasty of the New York Yankees.  The winning Home Run in the Series came from Bill Mazeroski, but the league MVP was Shortstop, Dick Groat, who won his only Batting Title with a .325 Average.  Groat likely won this due to the Pirates winning of the pennant, as Willie Mays and Hank Aaron arguably had a better year, but again, they did not win the Pennant in 1960.  Groat would go to five All-Star Games, won another World Series with the Pirates in 1964, and had 2,138 Hits over his career.  Groat was on the ballot for six years and finished as high as 1.8% in 1978.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Roger Maris, AL: New York Yankees (2) (1961)

This was the year where Roger Maris famously broke Babe Ruth’s single season Home Run record with 61, and he did against backlash from the league (the asterisk), and Yankees fans who wanted it to broken by Mickey Mantle.  Regardless, Roger Maris persevered and had the league leading 61 Home Runs, as well topping the American League leaderboard in Runs Scored (132) and Runs Batted In (141).  More importantly, the Yanks won the World Series.  New York would win the World Series again next year, but the power of Maris diminished and he would have only three more 20 Home Run seasons, finishing with 275 overall.  Maris was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 43.1% in 1988.  Ranked #20 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Maury Wills, NL: Los Angeles Dodgers (1962)

Maury Wills had won the previous two National League Stolen Base titles with tallies of 50 and 35, but the Los Angeles Dodger would set a new record with 104 thefts, making him the first player to ever exceed the 100 mark.  Wills would bat .299 with 130 Runs Scored and a league-leading 10 Triples.  Wills would win three more SB Titles, and went on to record 2,134 Hits and 586 Stolen Bases. Wills was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 40.6% in 1981.  Ranked #73 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Elston Howard, AL: New York Yankees (1963)

For the fourth year in a row, a New York Yankee won the MVP, with Elston Howard being the third different player to earn this honor.  The Catcher was on his seventh of nine straight All-Star Games, and he had a career-high 28 Home Runs, batted .287, and won his first Gold Glove.  Howard played until 1968, and he would have 1,471 Hits with 167 Home Runs while winning four World Series Championships with the Yankees. Howard was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 20.7% in 1981.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ken Boyer, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1964)

Ken Boyer had another good season with 24 Home Runs, and a National League leading 119 Runs Batted In, which would be the only time he led in any major offensive stat.  He had previously batted over .300 five times, and came close with .295. Boyer and his St. Louis Cardinals would win the Pennant and the World Series.  Boyer had a good year, but in 20/20 hindsight, Willie Mays should have secured this award.  This year would however be the last of Boyer’s All-Star years, as he was not named to another one, and would retire after 1969.  He would have 2,143 Hits with 282 Home Runs over his career. Boyer was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 25.5% in 1988.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Zolio Versalles, AL: Minnesota Twins (1965)

From Cuba, we have the first ever Minnesota Twin to win the MVP.  Zolio Versalles is not considered historically to be a player you would expect to win an MVP, but this was a year where there was no clear-cut favorite, and Versalles’ career-high 7.2 bWAR (which was almost triple his second best) was more than adequate; especially in a season where the Twins won the Pennant.  The Cuban infielder led the AL in Runs Scored (126), Doubles (45), and Triples (12), and he would have 19 Home Runs with a .273 Batting Average.  He would become one of the few former MVPs who was not on a Hall of Fame ballot.   Although Versalles was Hall of Fame eligible in 1977, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Denny McLain, AL: Detroit Tigers (1968)

We feel very safe stating that this is the last 30 Win season that will happen in the Majors, as Denny McLain’s 31 Wins won’t see an equal anytime soon…if ever.  McClain’s 1968 campaign would see him also win the Cy Young, strike out 280 batters, and take his Detroit Tigers to a World Series Championship.  McLain would win the Cy Young again in 1969 with a 24-9 season, but he would never come remotely close to anything like that again. Realistically, he would not even have a season that would be considered good again.  He would play until the 1972 season and retired with 131 Wins.   McLain was on the ballot for three years and finished as high as 0.7% in 1979.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Boog Powell, AL: Baltimore Orioles (1970)

While arguably the MVP this year should have been Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski, it was Boog Powell and the Baltimore Orioles that won the World Series this year.  Powell had already won a World Series Ring in 1966, and he was the runner-up for the MVP in 1969.  While he did not lead the American League in any category, he had great offensive numbers of 35 Home Runs, 114 RBIs, and a Slash Line of .297/.412/.459.  Powell played until 1977 and would blast 339 Home Runs.  Powell was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.3% in 1983. Ranked #87 Notinhalloffame.com.

Vida Blue, AL: Oakland Athletics (1971)

Also winning the Cy Young this year, Vida Blue would go 24-8 with AL leading 1.82 ERA, 2.20 FIP and a 0.952 WHIP.  Blue would also throw for 301 Strikeouts. While he wasn’t a rookie, this was his first full season and his best one ever.  He would go on to win three World Series Rings, and finished in the Cy Young top ten voting four more times.  Blue would pitch until 1986, and retired with 209 Wins and 2,175 Strikeouts. Blue was on the ballot for four years and finished as high as 8.7% in 1993.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dick Allen, AL: Chicago White Sox (1972)

Dick Allen only played three seasons with the Chicago White Sox, and was an All-Star in each of those years.  The first one was 1972, and he would lead the AL in Home Runs (37), Runs Batted In (113), Walks (99), On Base Percentage (.420), Slugging Percentage (.603) and OPS (1.023).  A former Rookie of the Year, Allen would retire after the 1977 season, and he would have 1,848 Hits and 351 Home Runs.  Allen was on the ballot for fourteen years and finished as high as 18.9% in 1996.  Ranked #23 Notinhalloffame.com.

Pete Rose, NL: Cincinnati Reds (1973)

Pete Rose had been generating hits for a decade and in 1973 he would lead the National League in that metric for the fifth time.  Rose would have 230 Hits, a career-high, and he would win his third Batting Title with a .338 Average.  After his MVP, he would anchor the Reds to two World Series Championships and he would go on to become the all-time leader in baseball with 4,256.  Rose has been declared ineligible for the Hall.  Ranked #1A Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Burroughs, AL: Texas Rangers (1974)

Based on advanced metrics, Jeff Burroughs should not have won the MVP as his sub-4.0 bWAR is one of the lowest to win the award. Regardless, Burroughs made franchise history as the first Ranger to win the honor.  He would lead the AL with 118 RBIs, and would have 25 Home Runs with a .301 Batting Average.  Burroughs was also an All-Star this season, and was again in 1978 as a member of the Atlanta Braves.  He played until 1985 and retired with 1,443 Hits and 240 Home Runs.  Blue was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.2% in 1991. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Garvey, NL: Los Angeles Dodgers (1974)

Historically speaking, Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies was the much better choice as he had more than double the 4.4 bWAR of Steve Garvey, but this was Garvey’s breakout season for a team that would win the National League Pennant.  Garvey had 200 Hits, which would be the first of five times that he would reach that number. He would also bat .304 with 21 Home Runs and 111 Runs Batted In.  Garvey would have four more seasons where he would finish in the top ten in MVP voting and he would play until 1987, where he would retire with 2,599 Hits and 211 Home Runs.  Garvey was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 42.6% in 1995.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fred Lynn, AL: Boston Red Sox (1975)

This was another history making year for the MVP, as Fred Lynn’s win marked with the first time that a player won both the MVP and the Rookie of the Year in the same baseball campaign.  The Red Sox Outfielder would hit 21 Home Runs, batted .331 and led the AL in Slugging with .566.  This year, he would go to his first of nine straight All-Star Games. Incidentally, Lynn probably should have won this award in 1979, but that would go to Don Baylor.  He would retire in 1990 with 1,960 Hits and 306 Home Runs.  Lynn was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 5.5% in 1996. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Thurman Munson, AL: New York Yankees (1976)

Thurman Munson would become yet another Yankees Catcher to win the MVP, and this season he again batted over .300, with 17 Home Runs and 105 RBIs.  This was his fifth of seven All-Star Game appearances and in the two years that followed, he helped New York win the next two World Series Championships.  Munson was tragically killed when he crashed the plane he was piloting during an off-day in the 1979 season.  Munson would have 1,558 Hits over his shortened career. Munson was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 5.5% in 1996.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

George Foster, NL: Cincinnati Reds (1977)

A testament to just how good the Cincinnati Reds were in the 1970s, George Foster was the fourth Red to win this accolade in this decade.  The runner-up behind his teammate, Joe Morgan in 1976, Foster would blast 52 Home Runs this year with 149 Runs Batted In, which was by far the best in the NL.  He was also first in Runs Scored (124), Slugging Percentage (.631) and OPS (1.013).  Foster again won the Home Run and RBI crown in 1978, and he was sixth in MVP voting. He would play until 1986 and would belt 348 Home Runs with 1,925 Hits.  Foster was on the ballot for four years and finished as high as 6.9% in 1993.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dave Parker, NL: Pittsburgh Pirates (1978)

Prior to his MVP win, Dave Parker would have two third place finishes in MVP seasons, and this year, he won his second straight Batting Title with a .334 Average.  He also led the National League in Slugging Percentage (.585) and OPS (.979) and had 30 Home Runs with 117 Runs Batted In.  Parker would help lead Pittsburgh to a World Series Championship the year after.  Later in his career, Parker would have two more top-five MVP finishes when he was with the Cincinnati Reds.  Parker played until 1991, and would tabulate 2,712 Hits with 339 Home Runs.  Parker was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 24.5% in 1998.  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Baylor, AL: California Angels (1979)

The first California Angel to win the MVP, Don Baylor arguably should not have won it as his 3.7 bWAR was less than half of George Brett and Fred Lynn.  Regardless, this was given to Baylor, who would lead the American League in Runs Batted In (139) and Runs Scored (120), and he would have a career-high 36 Home Runs and .296 Batting Average.  This was also the year that Baylor would be named an All-Star.  Baylor played until 1988, and would have 2,135 Hits with 338 Home Runs.  Baylor was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 2.6% in both 1994 and 1995.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Hernandez, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1979)

Hernandez would share this MVP with Willie Stargell, thus marking the first and only time that the voting was tied.  Hernandez would win his lone batting title in 1979 with a .344 Average, and he was also first in Runs Scored (111).  The First Baseman was an All-Star for the first time, and would go again four more times.  He was also the Gold Glove winner for the second time, and would win a whopping 11 of them over his career.  He would later win a World Series with the Cardinals (1981), and with the New York Mets in 1986, and he retired in 1990 with 2,182 Hits.  Baylor was on the ballot for nine years and finished as high as 10.8% in both 1998.  Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dale Murphy, NL: Atlanta Braves (1982)

This was a banner year for Dale Murphy who not only won the MVP, but also won his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award. The Braves Outfielder would win his first of two straight 109 RBIs, and he would have 36 Home Runs and a Slash Line of .281/.378/.507.  Murphy was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 23.2% in both 2000.  Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dale Murphy, NL: Atlanta Braves (2) (1983) 

Murphy would win this honor back-to-back and in his second win, not only did win his second RBI Title, but he finished first in Slugging Percentage (.540) and OPS (.933).  Murphy repeated his production of 36 Home Runs and he would bat .302. He would go on to win the next two Home Run Titles, and was in the top ten in MVP voting in both of those seasons. Murphy played until 1993, and would finish with 2,111 Hits and 398 Home Runs.  Murphy was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 23.2% in both 2000.  Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willie Hernandez, AL: Detroit Tigers (1984)

This was a very good Tigers team, and after playing in the Majors since 1977, Willie Hernandez finally came into his own with one of the best relief campaigns ever in a Tigers uniform.  Hernandez led the American League in Games Pitched (80), Games Finished (68) and he had 32 Saves with 140.1 Innings Pitched.  The Tigers would win the World Series that year, and Hernandez was an All-Star this season and the two that followed.  He retired in 1989 with 147 Saves.  Hernandez was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.4% in 1995.  Unranked on Notinalloffame.com.

Don Mattingly, AL: New York Yankees (1985)

While arguably Don Mattingly won the MVP in the wrong year (he had a much better 1986), this was a good season for the Yankees legend.  This season, “Donnie Baseball” led the American League in Doubles (48) and Runs Batted In (145), and had a career-high 35 Home Runs.  He would also have a Slash Line of .324/.371/.567.  He was the runner-up for the 1986 MVP, and he played until 1995.  He would accumulate 2,153 Hits, and is considered the greatest Yankee never to win a World Series Ring.  With this organization, it means a lot!  Mattingly was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 28.2% in 2001.  Ranked #40 on Notinalloffame.com.

Willie McGee, NL: St. Louis Cardinals (1985)

This was the best season of Willie McGee’s career, where he would lead the National League in bWAR (8.2), Hits (216), Triples (18) and Batting Average (.353).  This was his second All-Star of four, and the only year he would win the Silver Slugger. McGee and the St. Louis Cardinals would win the National League Pennant that year, but would lose to the Kansas City Royals that year.  McGee was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 5.0% in 2005.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Roger Clemens, AL: Boston Red Sox (1986)

This was the break out season for Roger Clemens, who would also win the Cy Young this year.  The flamethrower would lead the AL in Wins (24), ERA (2.48), FIP (2.81), WHIP (0.969) and H/9 (6.3).  Clemens also threw for 128 Strikeouts.  The Red Sox won the American League Pennant that year, but lost to the New York Mets. He would go on to win six more Cy Youngs, win 354 Games and 4,672 Strikeouts.  Due to the PED association, he has yet to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. Clemens has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.5% in 2019.  Ranked #1C on Notinalloffame.com.

George Bell, AL: Toronto Blue Jays (1987)

George Bell made history as the first player from the Toronto Blue Jays (and non-American team) to win the MVP.  Bell was in the top ten in MVP voting the two years before, and this year he finally went to his first All-Star Game, and would blast 47 Home Runs, with a league-leading 134 Runs Batted In.  He would bat .308 with a Slugging Percentage of .605.  Bell played until 1993, and would have 1,702 Hits and 265 Home Runs.  McGee was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 5.0% in 2005.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Jose Canseco, AL: Oakland Athletics (1988)

Jose Canseco was the American League Rookie of the Year two years earlier, and in 1988, he was one of the most high-profile baseball players.  This was Canseco’s second of what would be seven All-Star Games, and he would win the Home Run and RBI Title with results of 42 and 142 respectively.  He batted .307 and won the Slugging Title with a .569 Percentage.  Oakland won the AL Pennant that year, and Canseco and the Athletics won the World Series the following season.  He played until 2001 and in his controversial career would blast 462 Home Runs.  McGee was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.1% in 2007. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Kirk Gibson, NL: Los Angeles Dodgers (1988)

This was the season where Kirk Gibson took the underdog Los Angeles Dodgers to the World Series, and on a gimpy leg hit a Home Run in his only World Series At Bat.  That was his second World Series win, as he won with the Detroit Tigers in 1984. In the regular season, Gibson had 25 Home Runs with a .290 Batting Average.  Gibson was on the ballot for one year and finished with 2.5% in 2001. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Kevin Mitchell, NL: San Francisco Giants (1989)

Kevin Mitchell blasted his way into the MVP in 1989, after seemingly coming out of nowhere.  Mitchell had a National League leading 47 Home Runs, 127 RBIs, .635 Slugging Percentage and 1.023 OPS.  He would also bat a respectable .291.  Mitchell had good power numbers the next season too, but he would regress after. He played until 1998 and had 1,173 Hits and 234 Home Runs.  Mitchell was on the ballot for one years and finished with 0.4% in 2004.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Barry Bonds, NL: Pittsburgh Pirates (1990)

Buckle up as we have a lot of Barry Bonds to get to. His first MVP took place with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he had 33 Home Runs, 114 Runs Batted In and batted .301. He would lead the National League in Slugging Percentage (.565) and OPS (.970), and he was named to the All-Star Game for the first time.  Bonds is currently out of the Hall of Fame due to his name being associated with PEDs. Bonds has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.1% in 2019.  Ranked #2 on Notinalloffame.com.

Terry Pendleton, NL: Atlanta Braves (1991)

After seven seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Terry Pendleton joined the Atlanta Braves, and he had the season of his life. He led the NL in Hits (187), and won the Batting Title (.319), and had a career-high of 22 Home Runs. The Braves would win the National League Pennant but lost in a seven-game thriller to the Minnesota Twins.  Pendleton was second in MVP voting the year after, and he played until 1998.  He retired with 1,897 Hits.  Pendleton was on the ballot for one and received 0.2% of the vote in 2004.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Barry Bonds, NL: Pittsburgh Pirates (2) (1992)

Bonds missed out on the 1991 MVP as he was the runner-up, but he would not be denied in 1992.  In what would be final season with the Pirates, Bonds smacked 34 Home Runs and for the first and only time would lead the NL in Runs Scored (109). He batted .311, and won his second OBP (.456) and Slugging Percentage Title (.624).  Bonds is currently out of the Hall of Fame due to his name being associated with PEDs.  Bonds has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.1% in 2019.  Ranked #2 on Notinalloffame.com.

Barry Bonds, NL: San Francisco Giants (3) (1993)

Bonds signed with the San Francisco Giants as a Free Agent, and in his first year in the Bay Area he won his third MVP in four years. He would win his first Home Run Title (46), and shockingly, this was the only time he led the league in Runs Batted In (123).  He batted .336, and for the third time won the OBP (.458) and Slugging Title (.677).  Bonds is currently out of the Hall of Fame due to his name being associated with PEDs. Bonds has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.1% in 2019.  Ranked #2 on Notinalloffame.com.

Mo Vaughn, AL: Boston Red Sox (1995)

Mo Vaughn may not have been the best selection as the American League MVP in 1995, as his 4.3 bWAR was much lower than some of the other players in the AL.  Regardless, Vaughn was the winner and he would lead the AL in Runs Batted In (126), while hammering 39 Home Runs and having a .300 Batting Average.  Vaughn was an All-Star this year, and would be again twice more.  He played until 2003 and retired with 1,620 Hits and 328 Home Runs.  Vaughn was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.1% in 2009. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Juan Gonzalez, AL: Texas Rangers (1996)

One of the most iconic Texas Rangers of all-time, Juan Gonzalez won his first of two MVPs in 1996, and prior to this year, he would win two Home Run Titles (1992 & 1993).  This year, he would have a career-high in taters with 47, and also had 144 RBIs with a .314 Batting Average.  As good as this was, his bWAR was under 4.0, and both Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. double this, meaning that “Juan Gone” was not the best choice this year.  Gonzalez was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 5.2% in 2011.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ken Caminiti, NL: San Diego Padres (1996)

Ken Kaminiti was the first MVP from the San Diego Padres, and this season he would post career-highs of 40 Home Runs, 130 Runs Batted IN, a .326 Batting Average and an OPS of 1.028.  None of his offensive stats were league leading, but his advanced stats and traditional stats place him in the hunt for this award. Caminiti was arguably a one-year winder as this was the only season where he would receive an MVP vote.  He played until 2001, and he was a three-time All-Star who retired with 1,710 Hits and 239 Home Runs.  Caminiti was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.4% in 2007.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Juan Gonzalez, AL: Texas Rangers (2) (1998)

Juan Gonzalez won his second MVP in three years and this season he would lead all American League batters in Doubles (50), and Runs Batted In (157).  He would belt 45 Home Runs with a Slash Line of .318/.366/.630.  Like 1996, bWAR states that there were better candidates for the MVP like Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter, but if this was based only on power, this was not a terrible choice.  Gonzalez played until 2005, and had 1,936 Hits with 434 Home Runs.  Gonzalez was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 5.2% in 2011.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Larry Walker, NL: Colorado Rockies (1997)

Larry Walker was the first Colorado Rockie to win the MVP, and while many believed that the “Coors Field Effect” was in full force, he nevertheless won this award.  The Canadian. Led the National League with 49 Home Runs, a .452 On Base Percentage, a .720 Slugging Percentage and an OPS of 1.172.  He also batted .366 this year.  Overall, he would be a five-time All-Star and would have 2,160 Hits with 383 Home Runs.   Walker has been on the ballot for nine years and finished as high as 54.6% in 2019.  Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sammy Sosa, NL: Chicago Cubs (1998)

Sammy Sosa was at the height of his popularity in 1998, and this was the year that he and Mark McGwire chased Roger Maris’ single season home run record.  Both of them would break Roger Maris’ 61 Home Runs, McGwire finishing with 70 and Sosa with 66.  McGwire would actually have a higher OBP, Slugging Percentage and bWAR than Sosa, but Sosa had the higher Batting Average, and he would lead the National League in Runs Batted In with 158.  He would have five more top ten finishes in MVP voting, and played until 2007.  He would accumulate 2,408 Hits with 609 Home Runs. Sosa’s association with PEDs has done him no favors with Hall of Fame voters.   Sosa has been on the ballot for nine years and finished as high as 12.5% in 2013.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jason Giambi, AL: Oakland Athletics (2000)

Jason Giambi finished eighth in MVP voting, and in 2000, he would begin his five-year streak of All-Star Games.  Giambi would blast a career-high 43 Home Runs and 137 Runs Batted In, and would lead the AL in On Base Percentage (.476).  Giambi would bat .333 this year with an OPS of 1.123. He would have similar stats the year after, but was denied the MVP to Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. Giambi was 5^ththe following season, which was his first as a New York Yankee.  Giambi played until 2014, and he would total 2,010 Hits with 440 Home Runs. Giambi is on his first year of eligibility.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Jeff Kent, NL: San Francisco Giants (2000)

Jeff Kent would win the National League MVP instead of his teammate, Barry Bonds, who matched up with him very well statistically.  Kent was an All-Star for the second of five occasions and this year he would accumulate 33 Home Runs, 125 RBIs, and a Slash Line of .334/.424/.596; all of which would be career-highs.  Kent played until 2008, and would retire with 2,461 Hits and 377 Home Runs.  Giambi is on his first year of eligibility.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com. 

Barry Bonds, NL: San Francisco Giants (4) (2001)

This was his first MVP in eight years, but it was not like Bonds was not in the conversation.  In five of those years, he finished in the top eight, and was the runner-up in 2001.  This season began the era of unprecedented dominance by a hitter.  Forget the PEDs for a minute.  This time frame was the sickest ever by any hitter, and whether he was juicing or not, there were many in the league who was at this time. Bonds destroyed the single season Home Run record with 73 taters, and he had 137 Runs Batted In.  He batted .328, with National League leading .515 OBP, .863 Slugging Percentage and an OPS of 1.379.  Bonds is currently out of the Hall of Fame due to his name being associated with PEDs.  Bonds has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.1% in 2019.  Ranked #2 on Notinalloffame.com.

Miguel Tejada, AL: Oakland Athletics (2002)

Miguel Tejada’s Oakland Athletics went to the 2002 Playoffs, which might be why he won the MVP over Alex Rodriguez or Jim Thome. Still, this was a good year for the Dominican, who would bat .308 with 34 Home Runs with 131 RBIs.  Tejada played until 2013, and had 2,407 Hits with307 Home Runs.  Tejada was on the ballot for one year and received 1.2% of the ballot in 2019.  Ranked #92 on Notinalloffame.com.

Barry Bonds, NL: San Francisco Giants (5) (2002)

Bonds was not going to hit 73 Home Runs, but everyone had decided that the best way to stop Bonds was not to pitch to him. He was intentionally walked 68 times, and still blasted 46 Home Runs with 110 Runs Batted In.  He won his first Batting Title with a .370 Average, and of course he led the NL in On Base Percentage (.582) and Slugging Percentage (.799).  Bonds is currently out of the Hall of Fame due to his name being associated with PEDs. Bonds has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.1% in 2019.  Ranked #2 on Notinalloffame.com.

Barry Bonds, NL: San Francisco Giants (6) (2003)

In his third year of destruction, Bonds had 45 Home Runs and batted .341, with league leading .529 in On Base Percentage and a .749 Slugging Percentage.  Imagine how good he was at this time, when this was arguably his worst year of the four! Bonds is currently out of the Hall of Fame due to his name being associated with PEDs.  Bonds has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.1% in 2019.  Ranked #2 on Notinalloffame.com.

Barry Bonds, NL: San Francisco Giants (7) (2004)

Barry Bonds was walked 232 times this season with 120 of them being intentional.  Those are single season records, which will never be touched.  He had 45 Home Runs, 101 Runs Batted In, and won his second Batting Title with a .362 Average.  He also set the single season record in OnBase Percentage with .609, a number that will likely never be topped.  Bonds missed most of 2005 due to injury and returned to approach nearly 500 Plate Appearances in the two years after.  That was 2007 when his contract with the Giants expired and no team decided to pursue Bonds as the was being targeted for PED use by the federal government. He ended his career with the all-time record in Home Runs (762) and Walks (2,558), and had 2,935 Hits with a career Slash Line of .298/.44/.607. Bonds is currently out of the Hall of Fame due to his name being associated with PEDs.  Bonds has been on the ballot for seven years and finished as high as 59.1% in 2019.  Ranked #2 on Notinalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NBA All Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the MVP in Major League Baseball who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame:

Ichiro Suzuki, AL Seattle Mariners, (2001) 

Ichiro Suzuki was already a longtime superstar in Japan, and he signed with the Seattle Mariners for the 2001 season.  He became the first Japanese player to win an MVP, and the second player to win the MVP in the same season that he won the Rookie of the Year.  This season, he won his first of two Batting Titles, was the American League leader in Hits for the first of what would be seven times, and he also led the league in Stolen Bases.  This year also began his streak of ten All-Star Games.  Suzuki played until 2019, and amassed an incredible 3,089 Hits. Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025.

Alex Rodriguez, AL Texas Rangers, (2003) 

This was the third and final season that Alex Rodriguez was with the Texas Rangers, and by this point he had finished as the runner-up twice before, and based on advanced metrics, he probably should have won an MVP already.  A-Rod’s ’03 season would see him hammer 47 Home Runs and 118 Runs Batted In, and he led the AL in Slugging Percentage with .600.  The Infielder would win his second and last Gold Glove this year.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Alex Rodriguez, AL New York Yankees (2) (2005) 

In his second season with the Yankees, Rodriguez would win his fourth Home Run Title (48), and would have 130 Runs Batted In. This would also be the fourth year he would lead the league in Runs Scored (124).  He also led the AL in Slugging Percentage (.610) and OPS (1.037). We have one more year of A-Rod to get to, so brace yourself!  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Justin Morneau, AL Minnesota Twins (2006) 

Justin Morneau would have his breakout season in 2006, and the Minnesota Twin First Baseman would put up career-best numbers in Home Runs (34), Runs Batted In (139), and Batting Average (.321).  He would be named to the All-Star Team in the next four years.  He played until 2016, and retired with 1,603 Hits and 247 Home Runs.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Ryan Howard, NL Philadelphia Phillies (2006) 

Ryan Howard was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2005, and in 2006 he blasted a National League leading 58 Home Runs with 149 Runs Batted In.  He would also post career-bests in the Slash Line (.313/.425/.659).  Howard won the Home Run title again in 2008, and took the Phillies to a World Series win.  In a career spent entirely with the Phillies, Howard belted 382 Home Runs, but only had a career bWAR of 15.0 due to his horrible defense.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Alex Rodriguez, AL New York Yankees (3) (2007) 

This was the third and final MVP for Alex Rodriguez and in terms of stats there was no better regular season for A-Rod.  This year, he would win his fifth and final Home Run Title with 564 taters, and set a personal high with 156 Runs Batted IN, which also led the American League.  His .648 Slugging Percentage an 1.067 OPS would also finish first in the AL, and again would be personal highs for Rodriguez.  While Rodriguez would be criticized for his post-season play, he would lead New York to a World Series Title in 2009.  Rodriguez played until 2016, and would accumulate 3,115 Hits with 696 Home Runs and ten Silver Sluggers.  As he was suspended for PED use, his Hall of Fame candidacy is in doubt. Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Jimmy Rollins, NL Philadelphia Phillies (2007) 

For the second year in a row, a Philadelphia Phillie won the MVP, as Jimmy Rollins followed his teammate, Ryan Howard in winning this award.  Rollins batted .296 with 139 Runs, 20 Triples, 30 Home Runs and 94 RBIs, all of which were career-highs.  Rollins and Howard would lead the Phillies to a World Series win in 2008.  Rollins would play until 2016, and managed to collect 2,455 Hits with 231 Home Runs.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Joe Mauer, AL Minnesota Twins (2009) 

Playing his entire career with the Minnesota Twins had two previous top ten finishes in MVP voting and would have another one following his 2009 win.  The six-time All-Star won his third Batting Title in 2009 (.365), and would also lead the American League batters in On Base Percentage (.444), Slugging Percentage (.587) and OPS (1.031), and he would give career-highs in Home Runs (28) and Runs Batted In (96).  Mauer played until 2018, and would have 2,123 Hits with a career Batting Average of .306.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Josh Hamilton, AL Texas Rangers (2010) 

Josh Hamilton had a long road to the MVP as the highly touted prospect fell under the spell of drugs and alcohol.  It took him a while to get clean and he did not make the Majors until he was 26.  Hamilton joined the Texas Rangers in 2008, where he played five seasons and was an All-Star in each of them.  2010 was his best year where he won the Batting Title (.359), Slugging Title (.633) and OPS Title (1.044), and he would have 32 Home Runs and 100 RBIs.  Hamilton did not play the mandatory ten seasons for the Hall, so he is unlikely to find a place on the ballot unless they give him a Kirby Puckett exemption.  Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021 should they allow him on the ballot.

The following are the players who have won the MVP who are still active.

Albert Pujols, NL St. Louis Cardinals (2005)

After finishing in the top three in MVP voting in the three years before Albert Pujols finally won his first Most Valuable Player Award.  This season, he would lead the National League in Runs Scored with 129, and had 41 Home Runs with 117 RBIs.  The Cardinal also batted .330 with an OPS of 1.039.  40 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Dustin Pedroia, AL Boston Red Sox (2008)

Dustin Pedroia won the 2007 Rookie of the Year and also won the World Series.  Pretty hard to top that, but Pedroia did by winning the American League MVP in 2008.  The Second Baseman finished first in the AL in Runs Scored (118), Hits (213) and Doubles (54), and he would bat .326 with 17 Home Runs.  He also won the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove this year.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Albert Pujols, NL St. Louis Cardinals (2) (2008)

In between his fist MVP and his second one, Albert Pujols was finished second and ninth respectively, and in this 37 Home Run campaign, he would lead the National League in Slugging Percentage (.653) and OPS (1.114).  The latter stat would be a career-best.  40 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Albert Pujols, NL St. Louis Cardinals (3) (2009)

This was the first season where Albert Pujols would lead the National League in Home Runs with 47 Home Runs, and he would also have 135 Runs Batted In.  While batting .327, he would lead the NL in On Base Percentage with .443 and it was his third year finishing first in Slugging (.658) and OPS (1.101).  40 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Joey Votto, NL Cincinnati Reds (2010)

The Canadian First Baseman already proved himself to be an excellent batter, and this season he would win the first of seven On-Base Percentage Titles and his lone Slugging Title.  He had career-highs in Home Runs (37) and Runs Batted In (113) and went to his first of six All-Star Games.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

Justin Verlander, AL Detroit Tigers (2011)

Justin Verlander’s Detroit Tigers would make the playoffs this year, and he would also win the first of two Cy Youngs. Verlander would later win the World Series with the Houston Astros in 2017.  This year he went 24-5 and won the ERA Title (2.40), WHIP Title (0.920) and led the league in Strikeouts (250).  36 Years Old, Playing for the Cincinnati Reds.

Ryan Braun, NL Milwaukee Brewers (2011)

Ryan Braun was the 2007 National League Rookie of the Year, and this year he would belt 33 Home Runs with 111 RBIs, and a Slash Line of .332/.397/.597.  His Slugging Percentage was league leading.  He would finish second in MVP voting the year after.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Miguel Cabrera, AL Detroit Tigers (2012)

Miguel Cabrera made history as the first Venezuelan to win the MVP.  This year he won his second Home Run Title (44), and second RBI Title (139), and also his second Batting Title (.330).  Cabrera would also lead the AL in Slugging Percentage (.606), and he took his Tigers to the World Series.  37 Years Old, Playing for the Detroit Tigers.

Buster Posey, NL San Francisco Giants (2012)

Buster Posey was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2010, the same season that he aided the Giants in winning the World Series. This year, he won the Batting Title (.336) with 24 Home Runs, 103 Runs Batted In, and a 408 On Base Percentage. Posey would go the All-Star Game this year (his first of six), and he won his second World Series Ring.  Two years later, Posey and Giants won the World Series again.  32 Years Old, Playing for the San Francisco Giants.

Miguel Cabrera, AL Detroit Tigers (2) (2013)

Cabrera went back-to-back with the MVP with another 44 Home Run Year, and his third Batting Title (.348).  Cabrera also led the AL with On Base Percentage (.442), Slugging (.636) and had the best OPS of his career (1.078).  Cabrera again took the Tigers to the playoffs.  37 Years Old, Playing for the Detroit Tigers.

Andrew McCutcheon, NL Pittsburgh Pirates (2013)

The MVP season of Andrew McCutcheon happened right in the middle of his five-year run of All-Star Games, and was also sandwiched between third place finished for the MVP.  This season, the Pirates Outfielder would have 21 Home Runs with 86 RBIS and a Slash Line of .317/.404/.508.  33 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mike Trout, AL Los Angeles Angels (2014)

Two seasons prior, Mike Trout won the Rookie of the Year, and was also the runner-up for the MVP.  He was the runner-up again last season, and he would finish first in 2014.  This year he would have 36 Home Runs with a Slash Line of .287/.377/.561.  He would also lead the AL in Runs Batted In with 111.  28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

Clayton Kershaw, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (2014)

Clayton Kershaw was already entrenched as the best Pitcher in the National League, and in 2014, he would win his third Cy Young in a four-year span.  This season, Kershaw went 21-3, and led the NL with a 1.77 ERA, the fourth year that he would win the ERA crown.  He would record 239 Strikeouts and had a WHIP of 0.857, which resulted in his fourth consecutive NL lead in that category.  32 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Josh Donaldson, AL Toronto Blue Jays (2015)

Josh Donaldson finished eighth in MVP voting the year before in what would be his last season in Oakland.  The Toronto Blue Jays would trade for him, and he would put forth his best year in Baseball.  The Third Baseman would lead the American League in Runs (122), and RBIs (123) and would also belt 41 Home Runs with a .297 Batting Average.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Braves.

Bryce Harper, NL Washington Nationals (2015)

Bryce Harper was the 2012 Rookie of the Year, and three years later Harper would win the MVP with the Nationals.  He would finish first in the NL in Runs Scored (118), Home Runs (42), On Base Percentage (.460), Slugging Percentage (.649), and he batted .330.  He would also win the Silver Slugger in 2015. 27 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mike Trout, AL Los Angeles Angels (2) (2016)

After winning his first MVP in 2014, he was second in MVP voting in 2015, which was the third time that happened.  Trout again ascended to the top winning his first On Base Percentage Title (.441), while batting .315 and hitting 29 Home Runs with 100 Runs Batted In and 30 Stolen Bases.  He would also lead the league in Runs Scored (123).  28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

Kris Bryant, NL Chicago Cubs (2016)

Having a better first two years than Kris Bryant is pretty hard to do.  He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2015, and was the MVP in 2016.  That season, he would finish first in Runs Scored (121), blasted 39 Home Runs and batted .292.  More importantly, he led the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series in over a century.  It doesn’t get better than that.  28 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Cubs.

Jose Altuve, AL Houston Astros (2017)

2017 was a special season for Jose Altuve, who had already established himself as an MVP contender with a third place MVP finish in 2016.  In 2017, Altuve led the NL in Hits for the fourth year in a row, and he won his third Batting Title with a .346 metric.  Altuve had 24 Home Runs with a .410 OBP.  He would lead the Astros to their first World Series Championship.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Astros.

Giancarlo Stanton, NL Miami Marlins (2017)

Giancarlo Stanton finished second in MVP voting in 2014, and in 2017 he had the eyes of the baseball world when he belted 59 Home Runs and 132 Runs Batted In, both of which would lead the NL.  Stanton would also bat .281 with a Slugging Percentage of .631.  This was his last season in Florida as he was traded to the New York Yankees in the off-season.  30 Years Old, Playing for the New York Yankees.

Mookie Betts, AL Boston Red Sox (2018)

Mookie Betts was sixth in MVP voting the year before and in 2018, he would win the MVP, with his first Batting Title (.346), Slugging Title (.640), and would blast 32 Home Runs.  Betts also won the Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger, and would lead his team to the World Series Championship.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Christian Yelich, NL Milwaukee Brewers (2018)

Christian Yelich was a very good player for the Miami Marlins, but in their restructuring, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers.  Yelich responded with by winning he Batting Title (.326), Slugging Title (.598), and had 36 Home Runs and 110 RBIs.  He would take Milwaukee to the NLCS that year, and he was the runner-up for the MVP the season after.  28 Years Old, Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Cody Bellinger, NL Los Angeles Dodgers (2019)

Cody Bellinger was the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, and he would win the MVP, though arguably had Christian Yelich not gone injured late in the year, it likely would have gone to him.  Bellinger had 47 Home Runs, 115 RBIs, with a Slash Line of .305/.406/.629.  24 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mike Trout, AL Los Angeles Angels (3) (2019)

In the two seasons between Mike Trout’s second and third MVP, he would finish fourth and second in MVP voting.  In 2019, Trout secured his fourth consecutive OBP Title (.438), and his third Slugging Title (.645).  This coincided with his fourth and third straight OPS title (1.083), and he was named an All-Star for the eighth consecutive year.   28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

The MVP has generated a few surprises, but for the most part, it is a great determiner of Hall of Fame potential.

We will go back to the ice and look at the Vezina Trophy, the award for the best goalie in the National Hockey League.

As always, we thank you for that support and look for that soon!

Another huge day has happened as the Modern Baseball Era Committee has announced that Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons will be joining the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Miller spent 17 years (1966-82) as the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Under his guidance, players salaries increased by more than ten times.

Simmons was an eight-time All-Star who accumulated 2,473 Hits with 248 Home Runs over a career spent with the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves.  In his initial Hall of Fame ballot, Simmons only lasted one year where he received 3.7% of the ballot.

Missing out were Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly, Tommy John, Steve Garvey, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Dwight Evans and Lou Whitaker.  In our latest Notinhalloffame.com baseball list, Simmons was ranked #9.  It will be a pleasure to remove him, when we revise our list in February.

To receive induction, a candidate needed to receive 75% of the ballot.

The Modern Baseball Veterans Committee consists of:

HOF Players: George Brett, Rod Carew, Dennis Eckersley, Eddie Murray, Ozzie Smith & Robin Yount.

MLB Executives: Sandy Alderson, Dave Dombrowski, David Glass, Walt Jocketty, Doug Melvin & Terry Ryan.

Media/Historians: Bill Center, Steve Hirdt, Jack O’Connell & Tracy Ringolsby.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to offer our congratulations to both Ted Simmons and the family of Marvin Miller at this time.