World Series Most Valuable Player Award

Willie Mays World Series MVP Award

Johnny Podres was the inaugural winner in 1955 for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Sport	Baseball
League	Major League Baseball
Awarded for	Annual most valuable player of the World Series
Country	United States Canada
Presented by	Major League Baseball
History
First award	1955
Most recent	Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers)

The Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the MLB postseason. The award was first presented in 1955 as the SPORT Magazine Award, but is now decided during the final game of the Series by a committee of reporters and officials present at the game.

On September 29, 2017, it was renamed in honor of Willie Mays in remembrance of the 63rd anniversary of The Catch, which occurred the year before the award's debut; Mays never won the award himself.

Pitchers have been named Series MVP twenty-nine (29) times; four of them were relief pitchers. Twelve of the first fourteen World Series MVPs were won by pitchers; from 1969 until 1986, the proportion of pitcher MVPs declined—Rollie Fingers (1974) and Bret Saberhagen (1985) were the only two pitchers to win the award in this period. From 1987 until 1991, all of the World Series MVPs were pitchers, and, since 1995, pitchers have won the award nine times. The most recent pitcher to win the award is Stephen Strasburg, who won in 2019.

Trophy

Up until 2017, the World Series MVP trophy was similar to the Commissioner's Trophy, albeit scaled down and with a single large gold-plated flag. After being renamed to Willie Mays World Series MVP Award for the 2018 edition and onward, the trophy is a wooden pedestal topped by a bronze sculpture of Willie Mays making the iconic catch in the 1954 World Series.

General Motors has provided a vehicle to the World Series MVP winner for 14 straight seasons through 2018. Since 2019, Disney Parks, Products and Experiences has sponsored the award.

Winners

Key

Year	Links to the article about that corresponding World Series
†	Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
‡	Active player
#	Rookie
*	Player also won the LCS MVP Award in the same postseason
§	Member of losing team in the World Series
^	Multiple award winners in the same World Series
(#)	Number of times winning World Series MVP at that point (if more than one)

Year	Player	Team	Position	Selected statistics	Ref.
1955	Johnny Podres	Brooklyn Dodgers	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games- 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 10 strikeouts
1956	Don Larsen	New York Yankees	Starting pitcher	1–0 record over 2 games started; 1 perfect game in Game 5 7 strikeouts Pitched first no-hitter in World Series history
1957	Lew Burdette	Milwaukee Braves	Starting pitcher	3–0 record over 3 games started; all were complete games- 2 shutouts 2 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 13 strikeouts
1958	Bob Turley	New York Yankees	Pitcher	2–1 record and 1 save over 4 appearances (2 starts); 1 shutout 5 earned runs allowed over 16+1⁄3 innings pitched 13 strikeouts
1959	Larry Sherry#	Los Angeles Dodgers	Relief pitcher	2–0 record and 2 saves over 4 appearances 1 earned run allowed over 12+2⁄3 innings pitched 5 strikeouts
1960	Bobby Richardson	New York Yankees§	Second baseman	.367 batting average 1 grand slam 12 runs batted in
1961	Whitey Ford†	New York Yankees	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout 14 scoreless innings pitched 7 strikeouts
1962	Ralph Terry	New York Yankees	Starting pitcher	2–1 record over 3 games started; 2 complete games- 1 shutout 5 earned runs allowed over 25 innings pitched 16 strikeouts
1963	Sandy Koufax†	Los Angeles Dodgers	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games 3 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 23 strikeouts
1964	Bob Gibson†	St. Louis Cardinals	Starting pitcher	2–1 record over 3 games started; 2 complete games 27 innings pitched 31 strikeouts
1965	Sandy Koufax† (2)	Los Angeles Dodgers	Starting pitcher	2–1 record over 3 games started; 2 shutouts 1 earned run allowed over 24 innings pitched 29 strikeouts
1966	Frank Robinson†	Baltimore Orioles	Outfielder	.286 batting average 2 home runs 3 runs batted in
1967	Bob Gibson† (2)	St. Louis Cardinals	Starting pitcher	3–0 record over 3 games started; all were complete games; 1 shutout 3 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 26 strikeouts
1968	Mickey Lolich	Detroit Tigers	Starting pitcher	3–0 record over 3 games started; all were complete games 5 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 21 strikeouts
1969	Donn Clendenon	New York Mets	First baseman	.357 batting average 3 home runs 4 runs batted in
1970	Brooks Robinson†	Baltimore Orioles	Third baseman	.429 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in
1971	Roberto Clemente†	Pittsburgh Pirates	Outfielder	.414 batting average 2 home runs 4 runs batted in
1972	Gene Tenace	Oakland Athletics	Catcher	.348 batting average 4 home runs 9 runs batted in
1973	Reggie Jackson†	Oakland Athletics	Outfielder	.310 batting average 1 home run 6 runs batted in
1974	Rollie Fingers†	Oakland Athletics	Relief pitcher	1–0 record and 2 saves over 4 appearances 2 earned runs allowed over 9+1⁄3 innings pitched 6 strikeouts
1975	Pete Rose	Cincinnati Reds	Third baseman	.370 batting average 10 hits 2 runs batted in
1976	Johnny Bench†	Cincinnati Reds	Catcher	.533 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in
1977	Reggie Jackson† (2)	New York Yankees	Outfielder	.450 batting average 5 home runs (3 in Game 6) 8 runs batted in
1978	Bucky Dent	New York Yankees	Shortstop	.417 batting average 10 hits 7 runs batted in
1979*	Willie Stargell†	Pittsburgh Pirates	First baseman	.400 batting average 7 extra-base hits 7 runs batted in
1980	Mike Schmidt†	Philadelphia Phillies	Third baseman	.381 batting average 2 home runs 7 runs batted in
1981^	Ron Cey	Los Angeles Dodgers	Third baseman	.350 batting average 1 home run 6 runs batted in
	Pedro Guerrero		Outfielder	.333 batting average 4 extra-base hits 7 runs batted in
	Steve Yeager		Catcher	.286 batting average 2 home runs 4 runs batted in
1982*	Darrell Porter	St. Louis Cardinals	Catcher	.286 batting average 1 home run 5 runs batted in
1983	Rick Dempsey	Baltimore Orioles	Catcher	.385 batting average 5 hits; all were extra-base hits- (4 doubles and 1 home run) 2 runs batted in
1984	Alan Trammell†	Detroit Tigers	Shortstop	.450 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in
1985	Bret Saberhagen	Kansas City Royals	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games- 1 shutout 1 earned run allowed over 18 innings pitched 10 strikeouts
1986	Ray Knight	New York Mets	Third baseman	.391 batting average Series-winning home run in 7th inning of Game 7 5 runs batted in
1987	Frank Viola	Minnesota Twins	Starting pitcher	2–1 record over 3 games started 8 earned runs allowed over 19+1⁄3 innings pitched 16 strikeouts
1988*	Orel Hershiser	Los Angeles Dodgers	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games- 1 shutout 1.000 batting average; 2 doubles; 2.667 OPS 17 strikeouts
1989	Dave Stewart	Oakland Athletics	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout 3 earned runs allowed over 16 innings pitched 14 strikeouts
1990	José Rijo	Cincinnati Reds	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started 1 earned run allowed over 15+1⁄3 innings pitched 14 strikeouts
1991	Jack Morris†	Minnesota Twins	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 3 games started; 10-inning shutout in Game 7 3 earned runs allowed over 23 innings pitched 15 strikeouts
1992	Pat Borders	Toronto Blue Jays	Catcher	.450 batting average 1 home run 3 runs batted in
1993	Paul Molitor†	Toronto Blue Jays	Designated hitter, first baseman, third baseman	.500 batting average 12 hits; 6 extra-base hits 8 runs batted in/10 runs scored
1994	Series canceled due to player's strike
1995	Tom Glavine†	Atlanta Braves	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started 2 earned runs allowed over 14 innings pitched 11 strikeouts
1996	John Wetteland	New York Yankees	Relief pitcher	4 saves over 5 appearances 1 earned run allowed over 4+1⁄3 innings pitched 6 strikeouts
1997*	Liván Hernández#	Florida Marlins	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started 13+2⁄3 innings pitched 7 strikeouts
1998	Scott Brosius	New York Yankees	Third baseman	.471 batting average 2 home runs in Game 3 6 runs batted in
1999	Mariano Rivera†	New York Yankees	Relief pitcher	1–0 record and 2 saves in 3 appearances 4+2⁄3 scoreless innings pitched 3 strikeouts
2000	Derek Jeter†	New York Yankees	Shortstop	.409 batting average 2 home runs/ 19 total bases 6 runs scored
2001^	Randy Johnson†	Arizona Diamondbacks	Pitcher	3–0 record over 3 appearances (2 starts); 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over 17+1⁄3 innings pitched 19 strikeouts
	Curt Schilling		Starting pitcher	1–0 record over 3 games started 4 earned runs allowed over 21+1⁄3 innings pitched 26 strikeouts
2002	Troy Glaus	Anaheim Angels	Third baseman	.385 batting average 3 home runs 8 runs batted in
2003	Josh Beckett	Florida Marlins	Starting pitcher	1–1 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over 16+1⁄3 innings pitched 19 strikeouts
2004	Manny Ramirez	Boston Red Sox	Outfielder	.412 batting average 1 home run 4 runs batted in
2005	Jermaine Dye	Chicago White Sox	Outfielder	.438 batting average 1 home run 3 runs batted in
2006	David Eckstein	St. Louis Cardinals	Shortstop	.364 batting average 8 hits 4 runs batted in
2007	Mike Lowell	Boston Red Sox	Third baseman	.400 batting average 1 home run 4 runs batted in
2008*	Cole Hamels	Philadelphia Phillies	Starting pitcher	1–0 record over 2 games started 4 earned runs allowed over 13 innings pitched 8 strikeouts
2009	Hideki Matsui	New York Yankees	Designated hitter	.615 batting average 3 home runs 8 runs batted in
2010	Edgar Rentería	San Francisco Giants	Shortstop	.412 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in
2011*	David Freese	St. Louis Cardinals	Third baseman	.348 batting average Game tying triple in the 9th and Walk-off home run in 11th inning of Game 6 7 runs batted in
2012	Pablo Sandoval	San Francisco Giants	Third baseman	.500 batting average 3 home runs in Game 1 4 runs batted in
2013	David Ortiz†	Boston Red Sox	Designated hitter	.688 batting average 2 home runs / 4 intentional walks 6 runs batted in
2014*	Madison Bumgarner‡	San Francisco Giants	Starting pitcher	2–0 record and 1 save over 3 appearances (2 starts); 1 shutout 1 earned run allowed over 21 innings pitched 17 strikeouts
2015	Salvador Pérez‡	Kansas City Royals	Catcher	.364 batting average 51 innings caught in 5 games played 3 runs scored
2016	Ben Zobrist	Chicago Cubs	Outfielder	.357 batting average 10 hits, including go-ahead RBI double in 10th inning of Game 7 5 runs scored
2017	George Springer‡	Houston Astros	Outfielder	.379 batting average 5 home runs, 7 runs batted in 8 runs scored, 11 hits
2018	Steve Pearce	Boston Red Sox	First baseman	.333 batting average 3 home runs, 8 runs batted in 1.167 slugging percentage
2019	Stephen Strasburg	Washington Nationals	Starting pitcher	2–0 record over 2 games started 4 earned runs allowed over 14 innings pitched 14 strikeouts
2020*	Corey Seager‡	Los Angeles Dodgers	Shortstop	.400 batting average 2 home runs 5 runs batted in
2021	Jorge Soler‡	Atlanta Braves	Outfielder, designated hitter	.300 batting average 3 go-ahead home runs 6 runs batted in
2022*	Jeremy Peña#‡	Houston Astros	Shortstop	.400 batting average 10 hits, including a go-ahead home run in the fourth inning of Game 5 1.023 on-base plus slugging
2023	Corey Seager‡ (2)	Texas Rangers	Shortstop	3 home runs, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 1 6 runs batted in 1.137 on-base plus slugging
2024	Freddie Freeman‡	Los Angeles Dodgers	First baseman	.300 batting average 4 home runs, including a game-winning grand slam in the tenth inning of Game 1 12 runs batted in

From 1955 through 2024, a total of 70 seasons, there have been 69 editions of the World Series played (as there was no World Series in 1994). In 67 editions a single MVP was named; in one edition (1981) three MVPs were named; and in one edition (2001) two MVPs were named. Thus, there have been a total of 72 MVPs—the below tables sums them by team and by position. All pitchers (starters or relievers) are grouped in the "pitcher" count, and all outfielders (left, center, right) are grouped in the "outfielder" count. When a player is listed at multiple positions, the first position listed is deemed to be his primary position, and he has been counted as such.

Winners by teams

Team	Total
New York Yankees	12
Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers	10
St. Louis Cardinals	5
Boston Red Sox	4
Oakland Athletics	4
Baltimore Orioles	3
Cincinnati Reds	3
Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves	3
San Francisco Giants	3
Arizona Diamondbacks	2
Detroit Tigers	2
Florida Marlins	2
Houston Astros	2
Kansas City Royals	2
Minnesota Twins	2
New York Mets	2
Philadelphia Phillies	2
Pittsburgh Pirates	2
Toronto Blue Jays	2
Anaheim Angels	1
Chicago Cubs	1
Chicago White Sox	1
Texas Rangers	1
Washington Nationals	1

Winners by position

Position	Total
Pitcher	29
Third baseman	10
Outfielder	10
Shortstop	8
Catcher	7
First baseman	4
Designated hitter	3
Second baseman	1

Notes

Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Reggie Jackson, and Corey Seager are the only players who were named World Series MVP multiple times; each won the award twice.

• Johnny Podres won the inaugural award in 1955 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Podres, with nine wins and ten losses during the regular season, beat the Yankees twice in the series; both victories were complete games.
• Don Larsen won the 1956 World Series MVP after pitching the only no-hitter in World Series history, in the fifth game of the series; the no-hitter was also a perfect game.
• Bobby Richardson won the 1960 World Series MVP while playing for the losing team in the series, the New York Yankees, and had 12 runs batted in, a World Series record; he is also the only second baseman to win the World Series MVP.
• The first non-American to win the award was Pedro Guerrero in 1981.
• In 1977, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in the deciding game, taking the nickname "Mr. October", in which October is the month of the MLB postseason; Jackson had a total of five home runs in the series, a World Series record.
• Willie Stargell won the 1979 World Series MVP at the age of 39, and is the oldest World Series MVP.
• In 1989, Dave Stewart became the first pitcher to win two games each in an LCS and a World Series in the same postseason, winning him the World Series MVP.
• In 1996, John Wetteland won the World Series MVP, setting a World Series record with four saves.
• In 2000, Derek Jeter won the World Series MVP and the All-Star Game MVP in the same season, the only player to do so.
• Stephen Strasburg (2019) is the only first overall draft pick to win the award.
• 22 World Series MVPs have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame: Alan Trammell (1984), Jack Morris (1991), Paul Molitor (1993), Tom Glavine (1995), Mariano Rivera (1999), Derek Jeter (2000), Randy Johnson (2001), and David Ortiz (2013) are the only Hall of Famers to have won the World Series MVP since 1981. Molitor was also the first designated hitter to win the World Series MVP.
• Hideki Matsui, the 2009 winner, batted in six runs in the sixth game of the 2009 World Series, tying Richardson's record for most runs batted in for a single World Series game. Matsui became the first Japanese-born player to win the award, as well as the first player to win it as a full-time designated hitter. He is also the only player named both a World Series and a Japan Series MVP.
• Four players have won the award twice: Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965), Bob Gibson (1964, 1967), Jackson (1973, 1977), and Corey Seager (2020, 2023). Jackson and Seager are the only players to have won the award with two different teams, while Seager is the first player to win the award in both leagues.
• There have been two occasions on which multiple winners were awarded in the same World Series: Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager in 1981, and Johnson and Schilling in 2001. The duo of Johnson and Schilling combined for all four of Arizona's wins in the 2001 World Series; Johnson had three of them.
• Twelve of the fifty-eight World Series MVPs have also won the MLB MVP, the Cy Young Award, or the LCS MVP in the same season. Koufax (1963), Frank Robinson (1966), Jackson (1973), Stargell, and Mike Schmidt (1980) are the only players to have won the MLB MVP and the World Series MVP. A total of six players won the Cy Young Award and the World Series MVP in the same season: Bob Turley (1958), Whitey Ford (1961), Koufax (1963, 1965), Bret Saberhagen (1985), Orel Hershiser (1988), and Johnson (2001).
• Nine players have won the World Series MVP in the same season in which they won the LCS MVP: Stargell (1979), Darrell Porter (1982), Hershiser (1988), Liván Hernández (1997), Cole Hamels (2008), David Freese (2011), Madison Bumgarner (2014), Corey Seager (2020), and Jeremy Peña (2022) — all of them except Peña, an American League player, were the NLCS MVPs.
• Koufax (1963) is the only person to have won the Cy Young Award, the MLB MVP, and the World Series MVP in the same season, while Stargell (1979) is the only person to have won the MLB MVP, the LCS MVP, and the World Series MVP in the same season. Hershiser (1988) won the Cy Young Award, the LCS MVP, and the World Series MVP in the same season.

See also

• Babe Ruth Award
• List of Major League Baseball awards
• Baseball awards in the United States

External links

• World Series History: Most Valuable Players
• World Series Most Valuable Player Award at Baseball Almanac
• MLB Postseason: Willie Mays World Series MVP Award Winners at Baseball-Reference