NOVEMBER 16, 2017 | NEW YORK, NEW YORK • The baseball world is waiting to hear who the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award winners are for 2017. A review of past MVP’s demonstrates that more often than not, they were outfielders.
[I combined the three outfield positions as one position] You may ask, “Why not combine all infield positions?” My response is, first base is a distinctly different position than shortstop.
MVP recipients by position (as of 11/16/2017)
American League
OF 29
1B 14
P 12
3B 9
SS 8
C 8
2B 4
DH 1
National League
OF 31
1B 15
P 10
3B 9
C 8
SS 7
2B 6
There were several MVP-type awards early in the 20th Century, but the criteria were often suspect. Raising doubts about their legitimacy was the fact that players like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb never won such an award.
The Baseball Writers Association of America took over voting for the Most Valuable Player award in 1931 and continues the task to this day. This brings credibility to the conclusion that most MVP’s were outfielders.
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
List of MVP winners
MVP recipients by position