World Series Most Valuable Player Award

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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 by Sport magazine, but since 1985 has been officially presented by MLB. The winner is determined during the final game of the World Series by a committee of reporters and officials present at the game.

Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award
Johnny Podres was the inaugural World Series MVP Award winner, for the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers
SportBaseball
LeagueMajor League Baseball
Awarded forAnnual most valuable player of the World Series
CountryUnited States
Canada
Presented byMajor League Baseball (since 1985)
History
First award1955
Most recentYoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers)

On September 29, 2017, the award 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.

Car and trophy

The award winner has traditionally received a new car. Johnny Podres, the inaugural winner in 1955, received a Chevrolet Corvette. The 1977 winner, Reggie Jackson, received a Ford Thunderbird, while the 1983 winner, Rick Dempsey, received a Pontiac Firebird. Frank Viola, the 1987 MVP, received a Volvo 740.

Since 2004, General Motors had provided the vehicle. Examples include David Ortiz (2013 MVP) receiving a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country, Ben Zobrist (2016 MVP) receiving a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible 50th Anniversary Edition, and Corey Seager (2020 MVP) receiving a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71.

A trophy has also been presented to the award winner since at least the late 1970s. In 1985, Major League Baseball (MLB) took over as the official award presenter from Sport magazine, although for a few years, MLB and Sport each presented different trophies to the winner. Trophies given to award winners include:

  • A wooden base supporting a metallic baseball inside a hoop; in use by 1978, and last presented in 1984.
  • A tall wooden base with a metallic baseball on top, surrounded by a number of metallic flags; first presented in 1985, and last presented in 1988. The text on this trophy read "Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award".
  • A metallic bowl on a wooden base; in use by 1987, apparently the MLB-awarded trophy.
  • A trapezoidal wooden base, which included the MLB logo, topped by a metallic baseball; first awarded in 1988.
  • A pyramid-shaped trophy with a dark base, clear body, and baseball on top; in use by 1995.
  • A scaled-down variant of the Commissioner's Trophy with a single large metallic pennant; last presented in 2017.
  • A wooden pedestal topped by a bronze sculpture of Willie Mays making "The Catch" in the 1954 World Series; in use since 2018.

Winners

Key
Year Links to an article about the corresponding World Series
Other
awards 		Player also won, in the same season:
ASG: All-Star Game MVP Award
CY: Cy Young Award
LCS: League Championship Series MVP Award
MVP: Major League Baseball MVP Award
† Inductee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame
‡ Player is still active in professional baseball
# Player was a rookie that season
§ Player's team lost 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 Other
awards 		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; perfect game in Game 5
  • 7 strikeouts
  • Pitched first no-hitter and only perfect game 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
 CY
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
 CY
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
  • CY
  • MVP
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
 CY
1966 Frank Robinson† Baltimore Orioles Outfielder
  • .286 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 3 runs batted in
 MVP
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
 MVP
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
  • LCS
  • MVP
1980 Mike Schmidt† Philadelphia Phillies Third baseman
  • .381 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 7 runs batted in
 MVP
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
 LCS
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
 CY
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
  • CY
  • LCS
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
 LCS
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
 ASG
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
 CY
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
 LCS
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
 LCS
2012 Pablo Sandoval San Francisco Giants Third baseman
  • .500 batting average
  • 3 home runs in Game 1
  • 4 runs batted in
 ASG
2013 David Ortiz† Boston Red Sox Designated hitter
  • .688 batting average
  • 2 home runs / 4 intentional walks
  • 6 runs batted in
 ASG
2014 Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants Pitcher
  • 2–0 record and 1 save over 3 appearances (2 starts); 1 shutout
  • 1 earned run allowed over 21 innings pitched
  • 17 strikeouts
 LCS
2015 Salvador Pérez‡ Kansas City Royals Catcher
  • .364 batting average
  • 51 innings caught in 5 games played
  • 3 runs scored
 ASG
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
 ASG
2017 George Springer‡ Houston Astros Outfielder
  • .379 batting average
  • 5 home runs, 7 runs batted in
  • 8 runs scored, 11 hits
 ASG
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
 LCS
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
 LCS
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
2025 Yoshinobu Yamamoto‡ Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher
  • 3–0 record over 2 games started (1 complete game) and 1 relief appearance
  • 2 earned runs allowed over 17+2⁄3 innings pitched, including 6 innings in Game 6 and 2+2⁄3 innings in relief in Game 7
  • 15 strikeouts

Winners by team and by position

From 1955 through 2025, a total of 71 seasons, there have been 70 editions of the World Series played (there was no World Series in 1994). In 68 editions, a single MVP was named; in 1981, three MVPs were named; and in 2001, two MVPs were named. Thus, there have been a total of 73 MVPs.

The position at which players have won the most MVPs is pitcher, 30 times. Four of those winners were exclusively relief pitchers, the most recent being Mariano Rivera in 1999. Twelve of the first 14 MVPs were pitchers. From 1969 through 1986, the prevalence of pitcher MVPs declined, as only two pitchers won the award during this period. From 1987 through 1991, all of the MVPs were pitchers. Since 1995, 30 years ago, pitchers have won the award eleven times, the most recent being Yoshinobu Yamamoto in 2025.

The most uncommon position for an MVP is second baseman, with only Bobby Richardson in 1960 winning at the position. Richardson is also the only MVP to be named from a losing World Series team.

Of the 30 current MLB franchises, 24 have had at least one MVP. The six that have not are the Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays. Of those six franchises, five have never won a World Series with Seattle never having been in a World Series and Cleveland last won in 1948, prior to the MVP award being established.

Notable accomplishments

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

Four players have won the award twice: Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965), Bob Gibson (1964, 1967), Reggie 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.

A total of 13 players born outside of the United States have been named World Series MVP, with Pedro Guerrero, a native of the Dominican Republic, being the first to win it in 1981. Of players born outside the U.S., the Dominican Republic has produced the most World Series MVP winners, with five. Venezuela, Cuba, and Japan have produced two each, and Colombia, and Panama have each produced one. California-born Freddie Freeman, the 2024 MVP, holds dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Canada.

Pitchers

Position players

Other awards

Six pitchers have 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). The Cy Young Award was initiated in 1956, as one award for all of MLB; it has been awarded in both leagues since 1967.

Nine players have been named both a League Championship Series MVP and the World Series MVP in the same postseason: Willie Stargell (1979), Darrell Porter (1982), Orel Hershiser (1988), Liván Hernández (1997), Cole Hamels (2008), David Freese (2011), Madison Bumgarner (2014), Corey Seager (2020), and Jeremy Peña (2022). The LCS MVP was first awarded in 1977 for the National League and in 1980 for the American League.

To date, only one World Series MVP has also won the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award in the same season: Derek Jeter in 2000. An All-Star Game MVP has been named since 1962.

Five players have received both a Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award and the World Series MVP Award in the same season: Sandy Koufax (1963), Frank Robinson (1966), Reggie Jackson (1973), Willie Stargell (1979), and Mike Schmidt (1980). The MLB MVP has been awarded to a player in each league since 1931.

Three players have won a World Series MVP plus two of the above awards in the same season:

See also

  • Babe Ruth Award
  • List of Major League Baseball awards

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