Baseball

Every MLB MVP winner in history: Full list of AL and NL awards by year, from Shohei Ohtani to Barry Bonds

Sustaining excellence at the MLB level is extraordinarily difficult.

While a look through the NBA or NFL’s MVPs might produce a laundry list of global superstars, some of baseball’s MVPs through the years are a bit more obscure. One factor is there are two MVP awards handed out each year — one in the American League and one in the National League — but the award has such variety partly because of how challenging it is to play at an elite level for multiple years.

Some stars have found a way to do it, including a pair of modern greats in Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, who have each won multiple MVP awards.

Here’s a complete history of the MLB MVP awards, including winners by year and which players have the most.

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Every MLB MVP winner by year

Year	AL winner	NL winner
2024	Aaron Judge, Yankees	Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
2023	Shohei Ohtani, Angels	Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves
2022	Aaron Judge, Yankees	Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
2021	Shohei Ohtani, Angels	Bryce Harper, Phillies
2020	Jose Abreu, White Sox	Freddie Freeman, Braves
2019	Mike Trout, Angels	Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
2018	Mookie Betts, Red Sox	Christian Yelich, Brewers
2017	Jose Altuve, Astros	Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
2016	Mike Trout, Angels	Kris Bryant, Cubs
2015	Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays	Bryce Harper, Nationals
2014	Mike Trout, Angels	Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2013	Miguel Cabrera, Tigers	Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
2012	Miguel Cabrera, Tigers	Buster Posey, Giants
2011	Justin Verlander, Tigers	Ryan Braun, Brewers
2010	Josh Hamilton, Rangers	Joey Votto, Reds
2009	Joe Mauer, Twins	Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2008	Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox	Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2007	Alex Rodriguez, Yankees	Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
2006	Justin Morneau, Twins	Ryan Howard, Phillies
2005	Alex Rodriguez, Yankees	Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2004	Vladimir Guerrero, Angels	Barry Bonds, Giants
2003	Alex Rodriguez, Tigers	Barry Bonds, Giants
2002	Miguel Tejada, Athletics	Barry Bonds, Giants
2001	Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners	Barry Bonds, Giants
2000	Jason Giambi, Athletics	Jeff Kent, Giants
1999	Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers	Chipper Jones, Braves
1998	Juan Gonzalez, Rangers	Sammy Sosa, Cubs
1997	Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners	Larry Walker, Rockies
1996	Juan Gonzalez, Rangers	Ken Caminiti, Padres
1995	Mo Vaughn, Red Sox	Barry Larkin, Reds
1994	Frank Thomas, White Sox	Jeff Bagwell, Astros
1993	Frank Thomas, White Sox	Barry Bonds, Giants
1992	Dennis Eckersley, Athletics	Barry Bonds, Pirates
1991	Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles	Terry Pendleton, Braves
1990	Rickey Henderson, Athletics	Barry Bonds, Pirates
1989	Robin Yount, Brewers	Kevin Mitchell, Giants
1988	Jose Canseco, Athletics	Kirk Gibson, Dodgers
1987	George Bell, Blue Jays	Andre Dawson, Cubs
1986	Roger Clemens, Red Sox	Mike Schmidt, Phillies
1985	Don Mattingly, Yankees	Willie McGee, Cardinals
1984	Willie Hernandez, Tigers	Ryne Sandberg, Cubs
1983	Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles	Dale Murphy, Braves
1982	Robin Yount, Brewers	Dale Murphy, Braves
1981	Rollie Fingers, Brewers	Mike Schmidt, Phillies
1980	George Brett, Royals	Mike Schmidt, Phillies
1979	Don Baylor, Angels	Keith Hernandez, Cardinals & Dave Parker, Pirates
1978	Jim Rice, Red Sox	Dave Parker, Pirates
1977	Rod Carew, Twins	George Foster, Reds
1976	Thurman Munson, Yankees	Joe Morgan, Reds
1975	Fred Lynn, Red Sox	Joe Morgan, Reds
1974	Jeff Burroughs, Rangers	Steve Garvey, Dodgers
1973	Reggie Jackson, Athletics	Pete Rose, Reds
1972	Dick Allen, White Sox	Johnny Bench, Reds
1971	Vida Blue, Athletics	Joe Torre, Cardinals
1970	Boog Powell, Orioles	Johnny Bench, Reds
1969	Harmon Killebrew, Twins	Willie McCovey, Giants
1968	Denny McLain, Tigers	Bob Gibson, Cardinals
1967	Carl Yastrzemski, Red Sox	Orlando Cepeda, Cardinals
1966	Frank Robinson, Orioles	Roberto Clemente, Pirates
1965	Zoilo Versalles, Twins	Willie Mays, Giants
1964	Brooks Robinson, Orioles	Ken Boyer, Cardinals
1963	Elston Howard, Yankees	Sandy Koufax, Dodgers
1962	Mickey Mantle, Yankees	Maury Wills, Dodgers
1961	Roger Maris, Yankees	Frank Robinson, Reds
1960	Roger Maris, Yankees	Dick Groat, Pirates
1959	Nellie Fox, White Sox	Ernie Banks, Cubs
1958	Jackie Jensen, Red Sox	Ernie Banks, Cubs
1957	Mickey Mantle, Yankees	Hank Aaron, Braves
1956	Mickey Mantle, Yankees	Don Newcombe, Dodgers
1955	Yogi Berra, Yankees	Roy Campanella, Dodgers
1954	Yogi Berra, Yankees	Willie Mays, Giants
1953	Al Rosen, Indians	Roy Campanella, Dodgers
1952	Bobby Shantz, Athletics	Hank Sauer, Cubs
1951	Yogi Berra, Yankees	Roy Campanella, Dodgers
1950	Phil Rizzuto, Yankees	Jim Konstanty, Phillies
1949	Ted Williams, Red Sox	Jackie Robinson, Dodgets
1948	Lou Boudreau, Indians	Stan Musial, Cardinals
1947	Joe DiMaggio, Yankees	Bob Elliott, Cubs
1946	Ted Williams, Red Sox	Stan Musial, Cardinals
1945	Hal Newhouser, Tigers	Phil Cavarretta, Cubs
1944	Hal Newhouser, Tigers	Marty Marion, Cardinals
1943	Spud Chandler, Yankees	Stan Musial, Cardinals
1942	Joe Gordon, Yankees	Mort Cooper, Cardinals
1941	Joe DiMaggio, Yankees	Dolph Camilli, Dodgers
1940	Hank Greenberg, Tigers	Frank McCormick, Reds
1939	Joe DiMaggio, Yankees	Bucky Walters, Reds
1938	Jimmie Foxx, Red Sox	Ernie Lombardi, Reds
1937	Charlie Gehringer, Tigers	Joe Medwick, Cardinals
1936	Lou Gehrig, Yankees	Carl Hubbell, Giants
1935	Hank Greenberg, Tigers	Gabby Hartnett, Cubs
1934	Mickey Cochrane, Tigers	Dizzy Dean, Cardinals
1933	Jimmie Foxx, Athletics	Carl Hubbell, Giants
1932	Jimmie Foxx, Athletics	Chuck Klein, Phillies
1931	Lefty Grove, Athletics	Frankie Frisch, Cardinals

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Who has won the most MLB MVP awards?

No one has been able to come close to matching all-time home run leader Barry Bonds’ seven MVP awards. Bonds won twice with the Pittsburgh Pirates and five times with the San Francisco Giants, including a stretch of four consecutive MVPs from 2001-04.

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MLB MVP awards by player

Here is a look at every player to win more than one MVP award since the BBWAA started its award in 1931.

Player	MVPs	Years	Teams
Barry Bonds	7	1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004	Giants, Pirates
Yogi Berra	3	1951, 1954, 1955	Yankees
Roy Campanella	3	1951, 1953, 1955	Dodgers
Joe DiMaggio	3	1939, 1941, 1947	Yankees
Jimmie Foxx	3	1932, 1933, 1938	Athletics, Red Sox
Mickey Mantle	3	1956, 1957, 1962	Yankees
Stan Musial	3	1943, 1946, 1948	Cardinals
Shohei Ohtani	3	2021, 2023, 2024	Angels, Dodgers
Albert Pujols	3	2005, 2008, 2009	Cardinals
Alex Rodriguez	3	2003, 2005, 2007	Rangers, Yankees
Mike Schmidt	3	1980, 1981, 1986	Phillies
Mike Trout	3	2014, 2016, 2019	Angels
Ernie Banks	2	1958, 1959	Cubs
Johnny Bench	2	1970, 1972	Reds
Miguel Cabrera	2	2012, 2013	Tigers
Lou Gehrig	2	1927, 1936	Yankees
Juan Gonzalez	2	1996, 1998	Rangers
Hank Greenberg	2	1935, 1940	Tigers
Bryce Harper	2	2015, 2021	Nationals, Phillies
Carl Hubbell	2	1933, 1936	Giants
Aaron Judge	2	2022, 2024	Yankees
Roger Maris	2	1960, 1961	Yankees
Willie Mays	2	1954, 1965	Giants
Joe Morgan	2	1975, 1976	Reds
Dale Murphy	2	1982, 1983	Braves
Hal Newhouser	2	1944, 1945	Tigers
Cal Ripken Jr.	2	1983, 1991	Orioles
Frank Robinson	2	1961, 1966	Orioles, Reds
Frank Thomas	2	1993, 1994	White Sox
Ted Williams	2	1946, 1949	Red Sox
Robin Yount	2	1982, 1989	Brewers

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MLB MVPs by team

Here is a look at how many times each team has had an MVP winner since the launch of the BBWAA award in 1931.

Team	MVPs	Years
New York Yankees	22	1936, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1976, 1985, 2005, 2007, 2022, 2024
St. Louis Cardinals	18	1931, 1934, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1979, 1985, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2022
Los Angeles Dodgers	13	1941, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1963, 1974, 1988, 2014, 2019, 2024
San Francisco Dodgers	13	1933, 1936, 1954, 1965, 1969, 1989, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2012
Cincinnati Reds	12	1938, 1939, 1940, 1961, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1995, 2010
Athletics	11	1931, 1932, 1933, 1952, 1971, 1973, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2000, 2002
Boston Red Sox	11	1938, 1946, 1949, 1958, 1967, 1975, 1978, 1986, 1995, 2008, 2018
Detroit Tigers	11	1934, 1935, 1937, 1940, 1944, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2011, 2012, 2013
Chicago Cubs	9	1935, 1945, 1952, 1958, 1959, 1984, 1987, 1998, 2016
Atlanta Braves	8	1947, 1957, 1982, 1983, 1991, 1999, 2020, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies	8	1932, 1950, 1980, 1981, 1986, 2006, 2007, 2021
Los Angeles Angels	7	1979, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2023
Pittsburgh Pirates	7	1960, 1966, 1978, 1979, 1990, 1992 2013
Texas Rangers	6	1974, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2010
Minnesota Twins	5	1965, 1969, 1977, 2006, 2009
Baltimore Orioles	5	1964, 1966, 1970, 1983, 1991
Chicago White Sox	5	1959, 1972, 1993, 1994, 2020
Milwaukee Brewers	5	1981, 1982, 1989, 2011, 2018
Cleveland Guardians	2	1948, 1953
Houston Astros	2	1994, 2017
Seattle Mariners	2	1997, 2001
Toronto Blue Jays	2	1987, 2015
Colorado Rockies	1	1997
Kansas City Royals	1	1980
Miami Marlins	1	2017
San Diego Padres	1	1996
Washington Nationals	1	2015
Arizona Diamondbacks	0
New York Mets	0
Tampa Bay Rays	0

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Who votes on MLB MVP?

Members of the Baseball Writers of Association of America (BBWAA) vote for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards, though each award has a different set of voters on a rotating basis.

30 media members vote for each award. For example, two BBWAA members from each American League team’s market will vote for the AL MVP award.

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Controversial MVP winners

Jose Altuve, 2017

Jose Altuve hit a career-high .346 with 24 home runs and a .957 OPS in 2017, but there remains a segment of fans who believe Aaron Judge should have won the award as a rookie. Judge posted a similar WAR, an OPS 92 points higher at 1.049 and hit more than double the number of Altuve’s home runs with a then-rookie record of 52. Judge would go on to achieve MVP success later in his career, but some Yankees fans will tell you he missed out on one he should have had.

Miguel Cabrera, 2012

The WAR vs. raw numbers debate truly began in 2012, when Miguel Cabrera won AL MVP on the heels of a historic triple crown season. Cabrera hit .330 with 44 home runs and a .999 OPS, MVP-caliber numbers regardless of the year, but Mike Trout posted a 10-WAR rookie season with a .326 AVG, 30 home runs and a .963 OPS. Cabrera clearly had at least a slight offensive edge, but there are still plenty of fans who say Trout’s excellent defense and baserunning made him the more valuable player.

Jimmy Rollins, 2007

Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins won a narrow MVP race over Matt Holliday, Prince Fielder and others in 2007, despite not leading the NL in any major category other than runs scored. While he was a terrific all-around player, Holliday led the NL in hits and RBI, Fielder led the NL in home runs and some argue David Wright had the best all-around season with 30 home runs, a .963 OPS and a war that exceeded 8.0

Juan Gonzalez, 1996

There is little doubt Alex Rodriguez would have been the 1996 AL MVP in the statistical era of today, as Juan Gonzalez won in spite of a 3.5 WAR. The Rangers slugger did have an excellent season at the plate with 47 home runs and a 1.011 OPS, but Rodriguez matched or exceeded him in most categories with a .358 AVG, 36 home runs and 1.045 OPS plus much more defensive value despite being only 20 years old for most of the year. Rodriguez finished only three points behind Gonzalez in voting.

Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez, 1979

The only tie in the history of the BBWAA MVP award, the 1979 NL MVP race came down to Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez only for both to win. In hindsight, Hernandez almost certainly would have a decisive edge if another vote was held today. He had nearly triple Stargell’s WAR despite only hitting 11 home runs, thanks to Gold Glove defense and a .417 on-base percentage.

Joe DiMaggio, 1947

In one of the closest races in MLB history, Joe DiMaggio edged out Ted Williams by one point in 1947 AL MVP voting. History indicates Williams was the more valuable player, as he only only beat DiMaggio in almost all major offensive categories but had about double the WAR. Instead, the Yankees won the American League pennant and likely gave DiMaggio the push he needed in the voting to earn MVP honors.

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MLB MVP award FAQs

What is the MLB MVP award?

Through the BBWAA, MLB awards an MVP award in both the American League and National League each season. The award is given to the most valuable player in each league, but the BBWAA largely leaves the guidelines up to the voters.

“There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who was the Most Valuable Player in each league to his team. The MVP need not come from a division winner or other playoff qualifier,” the BBWAA says on its ballot.

Who was the first MLB MVP award winner?

Athletics pitcher Lefty Grove and St. Louis Cardinals infielder Frankie Frisch were awarded the first official MVP awards from the BBWAA in 1931.

When was the MLB MVP award introduced?

While different, less structured variations of MVP awards existed earlier, the BBWAA first awarded AL and NL MVP awards in 1931.

Has anyone won the MLB MVP in both leagues?

Only two players have been named MVP in both the AL and NL: Frank Robinson and Shohei Ohtani.

Robinson won with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and Baltimore Orioles in 1966, while Ohtani won with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023 before winning with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.

Has a pitcher ever won MLB MVP?

25 full-time pitchers have earned an MLB MVP award, but only 11 have done it during the Cy Young era. The last full-time starting pitcher to win MVP was Clayton Kershaw in 2014, though Shohei Ohtani has won as a two-way player.

Which players have been unanimous MVPs?

23 players have won an MLB MVP award unanimously:

Aaron Judge, 2024
Shohei Ohtani, 2024
Ronald Acuna Jr., 2023
Shohei Ohtani, 2023
Shohei Ohtani, 2021
Bryce Harper, 2015
Mike Trout, 2014
Albert Pujols, 2009
Barry Bonds, 2002
Ken Griffey Jr., 1997
Ken Caminiti, 1996
Jeff Bagwell, 1994
Frank Thomas, 1993
Jose Canseco, 1988
Mike Schmidt, 1980
Reggie Jackson, 1973
Denny McLain, 1968
Orlando Cepeda, 1967
Frank Robinson, 1966
Mickey Mantle, 1956
Al Rosen, 1953
Carl Hubbell, 1936
Hank Greenberg, 1935

Who is the youngest MLB MVP in history?

Vida Blue remains MLB’s youngest MVP after winning the award in 1971 for his age 21-22 season. Blue didn’t turn 22 until the second half of the season, but he pitched like someone who had been there before with a 1.82 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 312 innings for the Athletics. Blue also earned the AL Cy Young Award for his efforts.

Who is the oldest MLB MVP in history?

Barry Bonds became the oldest MVP in MLB history when he won his seventh award in 2004 at 40 years old. The all-time home run leader, who has been tied for steroids during his dominant run of the early 2000s, hit .362 with 45 home runs and a stunning 1.422 OPS over 147 games, earning 120 intentional walks.