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World Series Most Valuable Player Award facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Willie Mays World Series MVP Award
Johnny Podres - Los Angeles Dodgers - 1961.jpg
Johnny Podres was the first winner in 1955 for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Sport Baseball
League Major League Baseball
Given for Annual most valuable player of the World Series
Country United States
Canada
Presented by Major League Baseball
History
First award 1955
Most recent Corey Seager (Texas Rangers)

The Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award goes to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who helps their team the most in the World Series. The World Series is the final championship of the baseball season.

This award started in 1955. Back then, it was called the SPORT Magazine Award. Today, a group of reporters and officials choose the winner during the last game.

On September 29, 2017, the award was renamed. It now honors Willie Mays, a famous baseball player. This happened on the 63rd anniversary of his amazing play called The Catch. Even though the award is named after him, Willie Mays never won it himself.

Many pitchers have won this award. Twenty-nine pitchers have been named Series MVP. Four of these were relief pitchers, who come into the game later. Early on, pitchers won most of the awards. From 1987 to 1991, only pitchers won the MVP award. Since 1995, pitchers have won it nine times. Stephen Strasburg was the most recent pitcher to win, in 2019.

The Award Trophy

Before 2017, the World Series MVP trophy looked like a smaller version of the main championship trophy. It had a gold-plated flag on top.

After it was renamed the Willie Mays World Series MVP Award in 2018, the trophy changed. Now, it's a wooden stand with a bronze statue of Willie Mays. The statue shows him making his famous catch from the 1954 World Series.

For many years, General Motors gave a car to the MVP winner. Since 2019, Disney Parks, Products and Experiences has sponsored the award.

Award Winners

This table shows all the players who have won the World Series MVP award.

Key to the table
Year Links to the article about that World Series
dagger Player is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
double-dagger Player is still playing baseball
# Player was a rookie (first year playing)
* Player also won the LCS MVP Award that same year
§ Player was on the team that lost the World Series
^ More than one player won the award in the same World Series
(#) Shows how many times a player has won the award (if they won more than once)
Year Player Team Position Key Stats Ref.
1955 United States Podres, JohnnyJohnny Podres Brooklyn Dodgers Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts; 2 complete games, 1 shutout
  • 2 earned runs allowed in 18 innings pitched
  • 10 strikeouts
1956 United States Larsen, DonDon Larsen New York Yankees Starting pitcher
  • 1 win, 0 losses in 2 starts; 1 perfect game in Game 5
  • 7 strikeouts
  • Pitched the first no-hitter in World Series history
1957 United States Burdette, LewLew Burdette Milwaukee Braves Starting pitcher
  • 3 wins, 0 losses in 3 starts; 3 complete games, 2 shutouts
  • 2 earned runs allowed in 27 innings pitched
  • 13 strikeouts
1958 United States Turley, BobBob Turley New York Yankees Pitcher
  • 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 save in 4 games (2 starts); 1 shutout
  • 5 earned runs allowed in 16+13 innings pitched
  • 13 strikeouts
1959 United States Sherry, LarryLarry Sherry# Los Angeles Dodgers Relief pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses and 2 saves in 4 games
  • 1 earned run allowed in 12+23 innings pitched
  • 5 strikeouts
1960 United States Richardson, BobbyBobby Richardson New York Yankees§ Second baseman
1961 United States Ford, WhiteyWhitey Forddagger New York Yankees Starting pitcher
1962 United States Terry, RalphRalph Terry New York Yankees Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 1 loss in 3 starts; 2 complete games, 1 shutout
  • 5 earned runs allowed in 25 innings pitched
  • 16 strikeouts
1963 United States Koufax, SandySandy Koufaxdagger Los Angeles Dodgers Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts; 2 complete games
  • 3 earned runs allowed in 18 innings pitched
  • 23 strikeouts
1964 United States Gibson, BobBob Gibsondagger St. Louis Cardinals Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 1 loss in 3 starts; 2 complete games
  • 27 innings pitched
  • 31 strikeouts
1965 United States Koufax, SandySandy Koufaxdagger (2) Los Angeles Dodgers Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 1 loss in 3 starts; 2 shutouts
  • 1 earned run allowed in 24 innings pitched
  • 29 strikeouts
1966 United States Robinson, FrankFrank Robinsondagger Baltimore Orioles Outfielder
1967 United States Gibson, BobBob Gibsondagger (2) St. Louis Cardinals Starting pitcher
  • 3 wins, 0 losses in 3 starts; 3 complete games; 1 shutout
  • 3 earned runs allowed in 27 innings pitched
  • 26 strikeouts
1968 United States Lolich, MickeyMickey Lolich Detroit Tigers Starting pitcher
  • 3 wins, 0 losses in 3 starts; 3 complete games
  • 5 earned runs allowed in 27 innings pitched
  • 21 strikeouts
1969 United States Clendenon, DonnDonn Clendenon New York Mets First baseman
1970 United States Robinson, BrooksBrooks Robinsondagger Baltimore Orioles Third baseman
1971 Puerto Rico Clemente, RobertoRoberto Clementedagger Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder
1972 United States Tenace, GeneGene Tenace Oakland Athletics Catcher
1973 United States Jackson, ReggieReggie Jacksondagger Oakland Athletics Outfielder
1974 United States Fingers, RollieRollie Fingersdagger Oakland Athletics Relief pitcher
  • 1 win, 0 losses and 2 saves in 4 games
  • 2 earned runs allowed in 9+13 innings pitched
  • 6 strikeouts
1975 United States Rose, PetePete Rose Cincinnati Reds Third baseman
1976 United States Bench, JohnnyJohnny Benchdagger Cincinnati Reds Catcher
1977 United States Jackson, ReggieReggie Jacksondagger (2) New York Yankees Outfielder
1978 United States Dent, BuckyBucky Dent New York Yankees Shortstop
1979* United States Stargell, WillieWillie Stargelldagger Pittsburgh Pirates First baseman
1980 United States Schmidt, MikeMike Schmidtdagger Philadelphia Phillies Third baseman
1981^ United States Cey, RonRon Cey Los Angeles Dodgers Third baseman
Dominican Republic Guerrero, PedroPedro Guerrero Outfielder
United States Yeager, SteveSteve Yeager Catcher
1982* United States Porter, DarrellDarrell Porter St. Louis Cardinals Catcher
1983 United States Dempsey, RickRick Dempsey Baltimore Orioles Catcher
1984 United States Trammell, AlanAlan Trammelldagger Detroit Tigers Shortstop
1985 United States Saberhagen, BretBret Saberhagen Kansas City Royals Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts; 2 complete games, 1 shutout
  • 1 earned run allowed in 18 innings pitched
  • 10 strikeouts
1986 United States Knight, RayRay Knight New York Mets Third baseman
1987 United States Viola, FrankFrank Viola Minnesota Twins Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 1 loss in 3 starts
  • 8 earned runs allowed in 19+13 innings pitched
  • 16 strikeouts
1988* United States Hershiser, OrelOrel Hershiser Los Angeles Dodgers Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts; 2 complete games, 1 shutout
  • 1.000 batting average; 2 doubles; 2.667 OPS
  • 17 strikeouts
1989 United States Stewart, DaveDave Stewart Oakland Athletics Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts; 1 shutout
  • 3 earned runs allowed in 16 innings pitched
  • 14 strikeouts
1990 Dominican Republic Rijo, JoséJosé Rijo Cincinnati Reds Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts
  • 1 earned run allowed in 15+13 innings pitched
  • 14 strikeouts
1991 United States Morris, JackJack Morrisdagger Minnesota Twins Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 3 starts; 10-inning shutout in Game 7
  • 3 earned runs allowed in 23 innings pitched
  • 15 strikeouts
1992 United States Borders, PatPat Borders Toronto Blue Jays Catcher
1993 United States Molitor, PaulPaul Molitordagger Toronto Blue Jays Designated hitter,
first baseman,
third baseman
1994 Series cancelled due to player's strike
1995 United States Glavine, TomTom Glavinedagger Atlanta Braves Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts
  • 2 earned runs allowed in 14 innings pitched
  • 11 strikeouts
1996 United States Wetteland, JohnJohn Wetteland New York Yankees Relief pitcher
  • 4 saves in 5 games
  • 1 earned run allowed in 4+13 innings pitched
  • 6 strikeouts
1997* Cuba Hernández, LivánLiván Hernández# Florida Marlins Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts
  • 13+23 innings pitched
  • 7 strikeouts
1998 United States Brosius, ScottScott Brosius New York Yankees Third baseman
1999 Panama Rivera, MarianoMariano Riveradagger New York Yankees Relief pitcher
  • 1 win, 0 losses and 2 saves in 3 games
  • 4+23 scoreless innings pitched
  • 3 strikeouts
2000 United States Jeter, DerekDerek Jeterdagger New York Yankees Shortstop
2001^ United States Johnson, RandyRandy Johnsondagger Arizona Diamondbacks Pitcher
  • 3 wins, 0 losses in 3 games (2 starts); 1 shutout
  • 2 earned runs allowed in 17+13 innings pitched
  • 19 strikeouts
United States Schilling, CurtCurt Schilling Starting pitcher
  • 1 win, 0 losses in 3 starts
  • 4 earned runs allowed in 21+13 innings pitched
  • 26 strikeouts
2002 United States Glaus, TroyTroy Glaus Anaheim Angels Third baseman
2003 United States Beckett, JoshJosh Beckett Florida Marlins Starting pitcher
  • 1 win, 1 loss in 2 starts; 1 shutout
  • 2 earned runs allowed in 16+13 innings pitched
  • 19 strikeouts
2004 Dominican Republic Ramirez, MannyManny Ramirez Boston Red Sox Outfielder
2005 United States Dye, JermaineJermaine Dye Chicago White Sox Outfielder
2006 United States Eckstein, DavidDavid Eckstein St. Louis Cardinals Shortstop
2007 United States Lowell, MikeMike Lowell Boston Red Sox Third baseman
2008* United States Hamels, ColeCole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies Starting pitcher
  • 1 win, 0 losses in 2 starts
  • 4 earned runs allowed in 13 innings pitched
  • 8 strikeouts
2009 Japan Matsui, HidekiHideki Matsui New York Yankees Designated hitter
2010 Colombia Rentería, EdgarEdgar Rentería San Francisco Giants Shortstop
2011* United States Freese, DavidDavid 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 Venezuela Sandoval, PabloPablo Sandoval San Francisco Giants Third baseman
2013 Dominican Republic Ortiz, DavidDavid Ortizdagger Boston Red Sox Designated hitter
2014* United States Bumgarner, MadisonMadison Bumgarnerdouble-dagger San Francisco Giants Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses and 1 save in 3 games (2 starts); 1 shutout
  • 1 earned run allowed in 21 innings pitched
  • 17 strikeouts
2015 Venezuela Pérez, SalvadorSalvador Pérezdouble-dagger Kansas City Royals Catcher
  • .364 batting average
  • 51 innings caught in 5 games played
  • 3 runs scored
2016 United States Zobrist, BenBen Zobrist Chicago Cubs Outfielder
  • .357 batting average
  • 10 hits, including go-ahead RBI double in 10th inning of Game 7
  • 5 runs scored
2017 United States Springer, GeorgeGeorge Springerdouble-dagger Houston Astros Outfielder
  • .379 batting average
  • 5 home runs, 7 runs batted in
  • 8 runs scored, 11 hits
2018

United States Pearce, SteveSteve Pearce

Boston Red Sox First baseman
  • .333 batting average
  • 3 home runs, 8 runs batted in
  • 1.167 slugging percentage
2019 United States Strasburg, StephenStephen Strasburgdouble-dagger Washington Nationals Starting pitcher
  • 2 wins, 0 losses in 2 starts
  • 4 earned runs allowed in 14 innings pitched
  • 14 strikeouts
2020* United States Seager, CoreyCorey Seagerdouble-dagger Los Angeles Dodgers Shortstop
2021 Cuba Soler, JorgeJorge Solerdouble-dagger Atlanta Braves Right fielder, designated hitter
2022* Dominican Republic Peña, JeremyJeremy Peña#double-dagger 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 United States Seager, CoreyCorey Seagerdouble-dagger (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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: MVP de la Serie Mundial de Béisbol para niños

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