American Association (1902–1997) Most Valuable Player Award

The American Association Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) was an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's American Association based on their regular-season performance. Though the league was established in 1902,[1] the award was not created until 1929.[2] It continued to be issued through the 1962 season, after which the league disbanded.[1][2] In 1969, both the league and the award were revived, and the honor continued to be given until the league disbanded for a second time after the 1997 season.[1][2]

American Association
Most Valuable Player Award
SportBaseball
LeagueAmerican Association
Awarded forRegular-season most valuable player of the American Association
CountryUnited States
Presented byAmerican Association
History
First awardBilly Rogell (1929)
Final awardMagglio Ordóñez (1997)

First basemen, with 18 winners, won the most among infielders and all positions, followed by third baseman (10), shortstops (7), and second basemen (3). Fifteen winners were outfielders. Seven pitchers and three catchers won the award.

Eight players who won the MVP Award also won the American Association Rookie of the Year Award in the same season: Jerry Witte (1946), Herb Score (1954), Jack Smith (1962), Barry Larkin (1986), Lance Johnson (1987), Juan González (1990), Eric Owens (1995), and Magglio Ordóñez (1997).[2] From 1929 to 1962, pitchers were eligible to win the MVP Award as no award was designated for pitchers. In 1969, the American Association established a Most Valuable Pitcher Award.[2] No player won both awards.[2]

Eleven players from the Denver Zephyrs were selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Indianapolis Indians (9); the Minneapolis Millers and Wichita Aeros (6); the Milwaukee Brewers and Omaha Royals (4); the Oklahoma City 89ers and St. Paul Saints (3); the Columbus Red Birds, Kansas City Blues, Louisville Colonels, and Toledo Mud Hens (2); and the Charleston Senators, Fort Worth Cats, Iowa Cubs, Louisville Redbirds, Nashville Sounds, Omaha Dodgers, Toledo Sox, Tulsa Oilers, and Wichita Braves (1).

Six players from the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball (MLB) organizations each won the award, more than any others, followed by the Montreal Expos organization (5); the Milwaukee Braves, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers organizations (4); the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Giants, and New York Yankees organizations (3); the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Browns organizations (2); and the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations (1). Five award winners played for teams that were not affiliated with any MLB organization.

Winners

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Billy Rogell won the first American Association Most Valuable Player Award in 1929.
 
Phil Rizzuto, the 1940 MVP, was the 1950 American League MVP.[3]
 
Herb Score, winner in 1954, was selected as the American League MVP the next season.[4]
 
Richie Scheinblum, the 1971 Most Valuable Player, was chosen as an MLB All-Star in 1972.[5]
 
Barry Larkin, who won in 1986, was the 1995 National League MVP and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.[6]
Key
Position Indicates the player's primary position
^ Indicates multiple award winners in the same year
Year Winner Team Organization Position Ref.
1929 Billy Rogell St. Paul Saints Shortstop [7]
1930 Joe Olivares Louisville Colonels Shortstop [8]
1931 None selected [2]
1932 Pat Crawford Columbus Red Birds St. Louis Cardinals First baseman [9]
1933 Joe Hauser Minneapolis Millers First baseman [10]
1934 Pinky Hargrave Minneapolis Millers Catcher [11]
1935 Mike Ryba Columbus Red Birds St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher [12]
1936 Rudy York Milwaukee Brewers Detroit Tigers First baseman [13]
1937 Red Kress Minneapolis Millers Boston Red Sox Shortstop [14]
1938^ Ollie Bejma St. Paul Saints Chicago White Sox Second baseman [15]
Whit Wyatt Milwaukee Brewers Cleveland Indians Pitcher [16]
1939 Gil English St. Paul Saints Chicago White Sox Third baseman [17]
1940 Phil Rizzuto Kansas City Blues New York Yankees Shortstop [18]
1941 Johnny Pesky Louisville Colonels Boston Red Sox Shortstop [19]
1942 Eddie Stanky Milwaukee Brewers Chicago Cubs Shortstop [20]
1943 Stew Hofferth Indianapolis Indians Catcher [21]
1944 Babe Martin Toledo Mud Hens St. Louis Browns Outfielder [22]
1945 Stan Wentzel Indianapolis Indians Boston Braves Outfielder [23]
1946 Jerry Witte Toledo Mud Hens St. Louis Browns First baseman [24]
1947 Steve Gerkin Minneapolis Millers New York Giants Pitcher [25]
1948 Les Fleming Indianapolis Indians Pittsburgh Pirates First baseman [26]
1949 Nanny Fernandez Indianapolis Indians Pittsburgh Pirates Third baseman [27]
1950 Ray Dandridge Minneapolis Millers New York Giants Third baseman [28]
1951 Al Unser Milwaukee Brewers Boston Braves Catcher [29]
1952 Don Bollweg Kansas City Blues New York Yankees First baseman [30]
1953 Gene Conley Toledo Sox Milwaukee Braves Pitcher [31]
1954 Herb Score Indianapolis Indians Cleveland Indians Pitcher [32]
1955 Rance Pless Minneapolis Millers New York Giants Third baseman [33]
1956 Marv Throneberry Denver Bears New York Yankees First baseman [34]
1957 Carl Willey Wichita Braves Milwaukee Braves Pitcher [35]
1958 Wayne Terwilliger Charleston Senators Detroit Tigers Second baseman [36]
1959 Bob Will Fort Worth Cats Chicago Cubs Outfielder [37]
1960 Steve Boros Denver Bears Detroit Tigers Third baseman [38]
1961 Cliff Cook Indianapolis Indians Cincinnati Reds Third baseman [39]
1962 Jack Smith Omaha Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher [40]
1969 Bernie Carbo Indianapolis Indians Cincinnati Reds Outfielder [41]
1970 George Spriggs Omaha Royals Kansas City Royals Outfielder [42]
1971 Richie Scheinblum Denver Bears Washington Senators Outfielder [43]
1972 Pat Bourque Wichita Aeros Chicago Cubs First baseman [44]
1973 Cliff Johnson Denver Bears Houston Astros First baseman [45]
1974 Pete LaCock Wichita Aeros Chicago Cubs First baseman [46]
1975 Héctor Cruz Tulsa Oilers St. Louis Cardinals Third baseman [47]
1976 Roger Freed Denver Bears Montreal Expos First baseman [48]
1977 Frank Ortenzio Denver Bears Montreal Expos First baseman [49]
1978 Champ Summers Indianapolis Indians Cincinnati Reds Outfielder [50]
1979 Karl Pagel Wichita Aeros Chicago Cubs Outfielder [51]
1980 Randy Bass Denver Bears Montreal Expos First baseman [52]
1981 Manny Castillo Omaha Royals Kansas City Royals Third baseman [53]
1982 Ken Phelps Wichita Aeros Montreal Expos First baseman [54]
1983 Mike Stenhouse Wichita Aeros Montreal Expos First baseman [55]
1984 Alan Knicely Wichita Aeros Cincinnati Reds First baseman [56]
1985 Steve Buechele Oklahoma City 89ers Texas Rangers Third baseman [57]
1986 Barry Larkin Denver Zephyrs Cincinnati Reds Shortstop [58]
1987 Lance Johnson Louisville Redbirds St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder [59]
1988 Luis de los Santos Omaha Royals Kansas City Royals First baseman [60]
1989 Greg Vaughn Denver Zephyrs Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder [61]
1990 Juan González Oklahoma City 89ers Texas Rangers Outfielder [62]
1991 Jim Olander Denver Zephyrs Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder [63]
1992 Jim Tatum Denver Zephyrs Milwaukee Brewers Third baseman [64]
1993 Eduardo Zambrano Iowa Cubs Chicago Cubs Outfielder [65]
1994 Dwayne Hosey Omaha Royals Kansas City Royals Outfielder [66]
1995 Eric Owens Indianapolis Indians Cincinnati Reds Second baseman [67]
1996 Lee Stevens Oklahoma City 89ers Texas Rangers First baseman [68]
1997 Magglio Ordóñez Nashville Sounds Chicago White Sox Outfielder [69]

Wins by team

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Team Award(s) Year(s)
Denver Zephyrs (Denver Bears) 11 1956, 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992
Indianapolis Indians 9 1943, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1961, 1969, 1978, 1995
Minneapolis Millers 6 1933, 1934, 1937, 1947, 1950, 1955
Wichita Aeros 1972, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984
Milwaukee Brewers 4 1936, 1938, 1942, 1951
Omaha Royals 1970, 1981, 1988, 1994
Oklahoma City 89ers 3 1985, 1990, 1996
St. Paul Saints 1929, 1938, 1939
Columbus Red Birds 2 1932, 1935
Kansas City Blues 1940, 1952
Louisville Colonels 1930, 1941
Toledo Mud Hens 1944, 1946
Charleston Senators 1 1958
Fort Worth Cats 1959
Iowa Cubs 1993
Louisville Redbirds 1987
Nashville Sounds 1997
Omaha Dodgers 1962
Toledo Sox 1953
Tulsa Oilers 1975
Wichita Braves 1957

Wins by organization

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Organization Award(s) Year(s)
Chicago Cubs 6 1942, 1959, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1993
Cincinnati Reds 1961, 1969, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1995
Montreal Expos 5 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983
Milwaukee Braves (Boston Braves) 4 1945, 1951, 1953, 1957
Kansas City Royals 1970, 1981, 1988, 1994
St. Louis Cardinals 1932, 1935, 1975, 1987
Texas Rangers (Washington Senators) 1971, 1985, 1990, 1996
Chicago White Sox 3 1938, 1939, 1997
Detroit Tigers 1936, 1958, 1960
Milwaukee Brewers 1989, 1991, 1992
New York Giants 1947, 1950, 1955
New York Yankees 1940, 1952, 1956
Boston Red Sox 2 1937, 1941
Cleveland Indians 1938, 1954
Pittsburgh Pirates 1948, 1949
St. Louis Browns 1944, 1946
Houston Astros 1 1973
Los Angeles Dodgers 1962

References

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Specific

  1. ^ a b c "American Association (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "American Association Special Award Winners". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "Phil Rizzuto Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Herb Score Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  5. ^ "Richie Scheinblum Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "Barry Larkin Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "Billy Rogell Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  8. ^ "Joe Olivares Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  9. ^ "Pat Crawford Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "Joe Hauser Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  11. ^ "Pinky Hargrave Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "Mike Ryba Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  13. ^ "Rudy York Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "Red Kress Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "Ollie Bejma Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "Whit Wyatt Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  17. ^ "Gil English Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  18. ^ "Phil Rizzuto Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "Johnny Pesky Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "Eddie Stanky Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  21. ^ "Stew Hofferth Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "Babe Martin Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  23. ^ "Stan Wentzel Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  24. ^ "Jerry Witte Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  25. ^ "Steve Gerkin Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  26. ^ "Les Fleming Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  27. ^ "Nanny Fernandez Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  28. ^ "Ray Dandridge Mexican, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  29. ^ "Al Unser Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  30. ^ "Don Bollweg Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  31. ^ "Gene Conley Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  32. ^ "Herb Score Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  33. ^ "Rance Pless Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  34. ^ "Marv Throneberry Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  35. ^ "Carl Willey Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  36. ^ "Wayne Terwilliger Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  37. ^ "Bob Will Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  38. ^ "Steve Boros Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  39. ^ "Cliff Cook Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  40. ^ "Jack Smith Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  41. ^ "Bernie Carbo Winter, Minor, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  42. ^ "George Spriggs Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  43. ^ "Richie Scheinblum Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  44. ^ "Pat Bourque Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  45. ^ "Cliff Johnson Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  46. ^ "Pete LaCock Minor, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  47. ^ "Hector Cruz Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  48. ^ "Roger Freed Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  49. ^ "Frank Ortenzio Winter, Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  50. ^ "Champ Summers Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  51. ^ "Karl Pagel Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  52. ^ "Randy Bass Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  53. ^ "Manny Castillo Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  54. ^ "Ken Phelps Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  55. ^ "Mike Stenhouse Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  56. ^ "Alan Knicely Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  57. ^ "Steve Buechele Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  58. ^ "Barry Larkin Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  59. ^ "Lance Johnson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  60. ^ "Luis de los Santos Minor, Mexican, CPBL, Japanese, Korean & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  61. ^ "Greg Vaughn Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  62. ^ "Juan Gonzalez Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  63. ^ "Jim Olander Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  64. ^ "Jim Tatum Minor, Japanese, Mexican & Korean Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  65. ^ "Eddie Zambrano Minor, Mexican & CPBL Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  66. ^ "Dwayne Hosey Minor, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  67. ^ "Eric Owens Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  68. ^ "Lee Stevens Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  69. ^ "Magglio Ordonez Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2022.

General