MVP Seasons Going Unrewarded

The 9 Greatest Non-MVP Seasons

With Jimmy Rollins winning the NL MVP over some stiff competion I have compiled a list of some great
seasons that have not won an MVP.

9. 2001 Larry Walker, Colorado Rockies

Hits .350/449/.662 with 38 dingers and 130 RBI, plays GG right field. Finishes 24th in voting with 1 point.

8. 2006 David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Hits .287/.413/.636 with 54 homers and finishes behind a Yankee and Justin Morneau who had lesser numbers but led their teams to a playoff and played a position.

7. 1998 Mark McGuire, St.Louis Cardinals

While his numbers were consistent with Sammy Sosa’s he destroyed Roger Maris’ home run record. McGuire had only 2 of 32 first place votes.

6. 1961 Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees

The Mick lost consecutive MVP titles to teammate Roger Maris in ’60 and ’61 by a total of 0.3% of the vote. Mantle’s 1961 season was better than Maris’. Maris was one dimensional, just homers and only 6 more than Mantle at that. Mantle outperformed Maris at the plate otherwise 1.135 to .992 in OPS.

5. 2002 Alex Rodiques, Texas Rangers

A-Rod outperformed MVP Miguel Tejada in most offensive categories and won the SS GG but finished 21-5 in first place votes. A-Rod’s Rangers finsihed 31 games behind Tejada’s A’s. 57 HR don’t seem to get votes on a last place club.

4. 1995 Albert Belle, Cleveland Indians

Albert Belle hit 50 HR in the strike shortened season and outhit MVP Mo Vaughn but somehow finished a close second to the Red Sox slugger.

3. 1933 Chuck Klien, Philadelphia Phillies

As defending MVP Klien followed up his ’32 season with a Triple Crown. He lost, perhaps rightfully to the dominance of Carl Hubbel.

2. 1941 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox

The last season in which a player hit .400. Others had hit better than Williams’ ’41 mark and not won MVP, but usually lost to players with higher +.400 averages. In Williams’ case he was probably better than DiMaggio. A 56 game hitting streak is more memorable than hitting .400 but not more valuable.

1. 1947 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox

DiMaggio and Williams were nearly equal in 1941 but Teddy was robbed in 1947. Ted Williams clearly outperformed Joe DiMaggio by winning the Triple Crown. He lost the vote 202-201.

Why did these players not capture MVPs with their great seasons? Various reasons. In some cases they were out played in Walker’s and McGuire’s case. Others may have been punished for playing on bad teams such as A-Rod, Klien or even Papi. Klien and Walker also may have been punished for playing in hitters parks. Others suffer from poor popularity. Albert Belle was hated by the media and one voter left Ted Williams completley off the ballot in 1947 out of spite.

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2 replies on “MVP Seasons Going Unrewarded”
  1. says: Kman

    Love the Albert respect. That year he also hit over 50 doubles (52), becoming the only player ever to hit 50 doubles & HR in the same season. Good call at the end. As with his lack of HOF votes, having the media on your side is a big factor in MVP voting.

  2. says: Early

    It is a shame that these things can be subjective. It all makes Bonds’ mystique even more compelling. Here is a dude that told the media off at every turn yet wins records amount of MVP awards. Joey Belle and Ted Williams tell one off and it changes history. I look forward to how Bonds is treated with HOF votes…I assume like Joey not like Teddy.

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