Skip to content
Surf Wiki
Save to docs
sports

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

The Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award

Annual award


Annual award

FieldValue
nameThe Sporting News Player of the Year Award
sportBaseball
leagueMajor League Baseball
givenforMost outstanding player
presenterThe Sporting News
countryUnited States, Canada
first1936 – Carl Hubbell
mostrecent2025 – Cal Raleigh

The Sporting News Player of the Year Award is awarded annually by The Sporting News to the most outstanding player in Major League Baseball. The honor was first given in .

History

The Sporting News established their Player of the Year award in 1936. It is the oldest still-extant award given to the single player in MLB who had the most outstanding season. Until 1969, it was the only major award given to a single player across MLB, rather than to a player in each league. In 1969, Baseball Digest began its Player of the Year award for one player in all of MLB. (The award became limited to position players in 1994, when Baseball Digest added a new award for "Pitcher of the Year.") In 1993, the first Best Major League Baseball Player ESPY Award was given. In 1998, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) began its own Player of the Year award, for one player in all of MLB, as part of its Players Choice Awards. Baseball America also began its Major League Player of the Year award in 1998. In 2012, MLB's "GIBBY Awards" added an MLB Most Valuable Player category, which was renamed the Most Valuable Major Leaguer in 2014; its current name is the "Esurance MLB Awards" Best Major Leaguer.

Winners

Key

*Led League

Awardees

3-time winner [[Albert Pujols
Yankee Stadium
2-time winner [[Miguel Cabrera
YearNameClubLeaguePosNotesReferences(1)(2)(1)(3)(4)(2)(5)(1)(2)(1)(2)(1)(1)(2)(1)(2)(1)(2)
New York GiantsNLPW-L: 26-6, ERA: 2.31, K: 123url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=hubbeca01title=Carl Hubbell Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Cleveland IndiansALPW-L: 15-1, ERA: 2.55, K: 87url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=allenjo02title=Johnny Allen Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Cincinnati RedsNLPW-L: 15-10, ERA: 3.12, K: 125url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=vandejo01title=Johnny Vander Meer Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
New York YankeesALOFBA: .381*, RBI: 126, HR: 30url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=dimagjo01title=Joe DiMaggio Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Cleveland IndiansALPW-L: 27-11, ERA: 2.61, K: 261*,AL Triple Crownurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=fellebo01title=Bob Feller Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Boston Red SoxALOFBA: .406, RBI: 120, HR: 37, Runs: 135,BB: 147url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=willite01title=Ted Williams Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Boston Red SoxALOFBA: .356, RBI: 137, HR: 36, Runs: 141,BB: 145*, MLB Triple Crown
New York YankeesALPW-L:20-4, ERA:1.64, K:134url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=chandsp01title=Spud Chandler Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
St. Louis CardinalsNLSSBA: .263, RBI: 63, HR: 6url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=marioma01title=Marty Marion Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Detroit TigersALPW-L: 25-9, ERA: 1.81, K: 212*,MLB Triple Crownurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=newhoha01title=Hal Newhouser Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
St. Louis CardinalsNL1BBA: .365, RBI: 103, HR: 16, Runs: 124url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=musiast01title=Stan Musial Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Boston Red SoxALOFBA: .343, RBI: 114, HR: 32, Runs: 125,BB: 162*, AL Triple Crown
Cleveland IndiansALSSBA: .355, RBI: 106, HR: 18url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=boudrlo01title=Lou Boudreau Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Boston Red SoxALOFBA: .343, RBI: 159, HR: 43, Runs: 150,BB: 162
New York YankeesALSSBA: .324, RBI: 66, HR: 7url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=rizzuph01title=Phil Rizzuto Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
St. Louis CardinalsNLOFBA: .355*, RBI: 108, HR: 32, Runs: 124
Philadelphia PhilliesNLPW-L: 28*-7, ERA: 2.59, K: 148url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=roberro01title=Robin Roberts Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Cleveland IndiansAL3BBA: .336, RBI: 145, HR: 43url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=rosenal01title=Al Rosen Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
New York GiantsNLOFBA: .345*, RBI: 110, HR: 41, Runs: 119url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=mayswi01title=Willie Mays Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Brooklyn DodgersNLOFBA: .309, RBI: 136, HR: 42, Runs: 126url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=snidedu01title=Duke Snider Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
New York YankeesALOFBA: .353, RBI: 130, HR: 52, Runs: 132,MLB Triple Crownurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=mantlmi01title=Mickey Mantle Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Boston Red SoxALOFBA: .388*, RBI: 87, HR: 38, BB: 119
New York YankeesALPW-L: 21*-7, ERA: 2.97, K: 168url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/players/awards.php?p=turlebo01title=Bob Turleys Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Chicago White SoxALPW-L: 22*-10, ERA: 3.17, K: 179url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=wynnea01title=Early Wynn Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Pittsburgh PiratesNL2BBA: .273, RBI: 64, HR: 11, Gold Gloveurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=mazerbi01title=Bill Mazeroski Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
New York YankeesALOFBA: .269, RBI: 141, HR: 61, Runs: 132*,Single Season Home Run Recordurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=marisro01title=Roger Maris Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Los Angeles DodgersNLSSBA: .299, RBI: 48, HR: 6, SB: 104*url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=willsma01title=Maury Wills Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Los Angeles DodgersNLPW-L: 25-9, ERA: 2.83 K: 232url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=drysddo01title=Don Drysdale Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Los Angeles DodgersNLPW-L: 25-5, ERA: 1.88 K: 306*,MLB Triple Crownurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=koufasa01title=Sandy Koufax Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
St. Louis CardinalsNL3BBA: .295, RBI: 119*, HR: 24url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=boyerke01title=Ken Boyer Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Los Angeles DodgersNLPW-L: 26-8, ERA: 2.04 K: 382*,MLB Triple Crown
Baltimore OriolesALOFBA: .316, RBI: 122, HR: 49*, Runs: 122,AL Triple Crown
Boston Red SoxALOFBA: .326, RBI: 121, HR: 44, Runs: 112,AL Triple Crown
Detroit TigersALPW-L: 31*-6, ERA: 1.96 K: 280url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=mclaide01title=Denny McLain Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
San Francisco GiantsNL1BBA: .320, RBI: 126, HR: 45
Cincinnati RedsNLCBA: .293, RBI: 148, HR: 45
St. Louis CardinalsNL3BBA: .363*, RBI: 137, HR: 24
Chicago CubsNLOFBA: .333*, RBI: 122, HR: 37
Oakland AthleticsALOFBA: .293, RBI: 117, HR: 32, Runs: 99*
St. Louis CardinalsNLOFBA: .306, RBI: 48, HR: 3, SB: 118*, R: 105
Cincinnati RedsNL2BBA: .327, RBI: 94, HR: 17, SB: 67, R: 107
Cincinnati RedsNL2BBA: .320, RBI: 111, HR: 27, SB: 60, R: 113
Minnesota TwinsAL1BBA: .388, RBI: 100, HR: 14, SB: 23, R: 128
New York YankeesALPW-L: 25-3, ERA: 1.74 K: 248url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=guidrro01title=Ron Guidry Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Pittsburgh PiratesNL1BBA: .281, RBI: 82, HR: 32
Kansas City RoyalsAL3BBA: .390*, RBI: 118, HR: 24
Los Angeles DodgersNLPW-L 13-7, ERA: 2.48 K: 180*url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=valenfe01title=Fernando Valenzuela Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Milwaukee BrewersALSSBA: .331 RBI: 114, HR: 29
Baltimore OriolesALSSBA: .318 RBI: 102, HR: 27, Runs: 121*
Chicago CubsNL2BBA: .314 RBI: 84, HR: 19, Runs: 114
New York YankeesAL1BBA: .324 RBI: 145*, HR: 35
Boston Red SoxALPW-L: 24-4, ERA: 2.48, K: 238url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=clemero02title=Roger Clemens Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Toronto Blue JaysALOFBA: .308 RBI: 134*, HR: 47
Los Angeles DodgersNLPW-L: 23*-8, ERA: 2.26, K: 178url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=hershor01title=Orel Hershiser Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
San Francisco GiantsNLOFBA: .291 RBI: 125, HR: 47
(1)Pittsburgh PiratesNLOFBA: .301, RBI: 114, HR: 33url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=bondsba01title=Barry Bonds Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Baltimore OriolesALSSBA: .323, RBI: 114, HR: 34
San Diego PadresNLOFBA: .330*, RBI: 100, HR: 33
Chicago White SoxAL1BBA: .317, RBI: 128, HR: 41
Houston AstrosNL1BBA: .368, RBI: 116, HR: 39, Runs: 104
Cleveland IndiansALOFBA: .317, RBI: 126, HR: 50, Runs: 121*
(1)Seattle MarinersALSSBA: .358, RBI: 123, HR: 36, Runs: 141url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=rodrial01title=Alex Rodriguez Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Seattle MarinersALOFBA: .304, RBI: 147, HR: 56, Runs: 125
Chicago CubsNLOFBA: .308, RBI: 158, HR: 66, Runs: 134
Texas RangersAL1BBA: .324, RBI: 148, HR: 47
Toronto Blue JaysAL1BBA: .344, RBI: 137, HR: 41, Runs: 115
(2)San Francisco GiantsNLOFBA: .328, RBI: 137, HR: 73, Runs: 129,BB: 177, Single Season Home Run Record
(2)Texas RangersALSSBA: .300, RBI: 142, HR: 57, Runs: 125,Gold Glove
(1)St. Louis CardinalsNL1BBA: .359, RBI: 124, HR: 43, Runs: 137url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=pujolal01title=Albert Pujols Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
(3)San Francisco GiantsNLOFBA: .362, RBI: 101, HR: 45, Runs: 129,BB: 232
Atlanta BravesNLOFBA: .263, RBI: 128, HR: 51, Runs: 95,Gold Glove
Philadelphia PhilliesNL1BBA: .313, RBI: 149, HR: 58, Runs: 104
(3)New York YankeesAL3BBA: .314, RBI: 156, HR: 54, Runs: 143*
(2)St. Louis CardinalsNL1BBA: .357, RBI: 116, HR: 37, Runs: 100
(3)St. Louis CardinalsNL1BBA: .327, RBI: 135, HR: 47*
Texas RangersALOFBA: .359*, RBI: 100, HR: 32
Detroit TigersALPW-L: 24-5, ERA: 2.40, K: 250*,AL Triple Crownurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=verlaju01title=Justin Verlander Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Detroit TigersAL3BBA: .330, RBI: 139, HR: 44*, Runs: 109,AL Triple Crownurl=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=cabremi01title=Miguel Cabrera Baseball Almanac Awardswork=Baseball Almanac}}
Detroit TigersAL3BBA: .348*, RBI: 137, HR: 44, Runs: 103
Los Angeles DodgersNLPW-L: 21-3, ERA: 1.77, K: 239
Toronto Blue JaysAL3BBA: .297, RBI: 123*, HR: 41, Runs: 108
Houston AstrosAL2BBA: .338*, RBI: 96, HR: 24, Runs: 108
Houston AstrosAL2BBA: .346*, RBI: 81, HR: 24, Runs: 112
Boston Red SoxALOFBA: .346, RBI: 80, HR: 32, Runs: 129, SLG:.640
Los Angeles AngelsALOFBA: .291, RBI: 104, HR: 45, Runs: 110, SLG:.645*
Chicago White SoxAL1BBA: .317, RBI: 60, HR: 19, Runs: 43, SLG: .617, Hits: 76*
Los Angeles AngelsALP / DHW-L: 9-2, ERA: 3.18, K: 156
BA: .257, RBI: 100, HR: 46, Runs: 103, SLG: .592, SB: 26
New York YankeesALOF / DHBA: .311, Runs: 133, HR: 62, RBI: 131, BB: 111, OBP: .425, SLG: .686, OPS: 1.111, TB: 391
Atlanta BravesNLOF / DHBA: .337, OBP: .416, Runs: 149, Hits: 217, HR: 41, RBI: 106, SB: 73, BB: 80, OBP: .416, SLG: .596, OPS: 1.012, TB: 383*
Los Angeles DodgersNLDHBA: .310, OBP: .390, RBI: 130, HR: 54, Runs: 134, SLG: .646, OPS: 1.036, SB: 59
Seattle MarinersALCBA: .247, OBP: .359, RBI: 125, HR: 60, Runs: 110, SLG: .589, OPS: .948, SB: 14

Multiple wins

Players

Several players have won the award more than once. Ted Williams, Joe Morgan, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Jose Altuve are the only players to win the award in consecutive years. Ted Williams won the award five times. Sandy Koufax is the only pitcher to win the award more than once. Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Shohei Ohtani are the only players to win the award while playing with different teams. Alex Rodriguez won the award with the most teams (3). Stan Musial and Alex Rodriguez are the only players to win the award while playing different positions. The only tie was in 1962, when Don Drysdale and Maury Wills shared the honor.

Winning multiple SN Player of the Year awards has been seen as guaranteed admission to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Barry Bonds is the only player with multiple awards, eligible for the Hall of Fame, but not a member of the Hall of Fame. The table is of the Players that have won two or more awards and the year they were inducted into Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Active players are not eligible for the Hall of Fame.

Player# of AwardsYearsYear inducted into HOFTed WilliamsAlbert PujolsStan MusialSandy KoufaxJoe MorganCal Ripken Jr.Jose AltuveShohei Ohtani
51941–1942, 1947, 1949, 19571966
Barry Bonds31990, 2001, 2004-
Alex Rodriguez31996, 2002, 2007-
32003, 2008–2009Not Yet Eligible
21946, 19511969
21963, 19651972
21975–19761990
21983, 19912007
Miguel Cabrera22012–2013Not Yet Eligible
22016–2017Active-Not Eligible
22021, 2024Active-Not Eligible

Outfielders and Pitchers have won the most awards.

Position# of Awards
Outfield30
Pitcher19
First Baseman14
Shortstop9
Third Baseman8
Second Baseman6
Catcher2
DH1

Player of the Decade

  • SN named Willie Mays as the player of the 1960s decade.
  • SN named Pete Rose as the player of the 1970's decade.
  • SN named Mike Schmidt as the player of the 1980's decade.
  • SN named Barry Bonds as the player of the 1990's decade.
  • SN named Albert Pujols as the player of the 2000's decade.
  • SN named Mike Trout as the player of the 2010s decade.

References

References

  1. "Baseball Almanac Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News". baseball-almanac.com.
  2. "Carl Hubbell Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  3. "Carl Hubbell Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  4. "Johnny Allen Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  5. "Johnny Allen Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  6. "Johnny Vander Meer Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  7. "Johnny Vander Meer Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  8. "Joe DiMaggio Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  9. "Joe Dimaggio Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  10. "Bob Feller Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  11. "Bob Feller Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  12. "Ted Williams Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  13. "Ted Williams Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  14. "Spud Chandler Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  15. "Marty Marion Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  16. "Hal Newhouser Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  17. "Hal Newhouser Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  18. "Stan Musial Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  19. "Stan Musial Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  20. "Lou Boudreau Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  21. "Phil Rizzuto Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  22. "Robin Roberts Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  23. "Al Rosen Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  24. "Willie Mays Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  25. "Duke Snider Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  26. "Mickey Mantle Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  27. "Bob Turleys Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  28. "Bob Turley Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  29. "Early Wynn Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  30. "Bill Mazeroski Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  31. "Roger Maris Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  32. "Maury Wills Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  33. "Don Drysdale Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  34. "Don Drysdale Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  35. "Sandy Koufax Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  36. "Sandy Koufax Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  37. "Ken Boyer Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  38. "Denny McLain Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  39. "Ron Guidry Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  40. "Ron Guidry Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  41. "Fernando Valenzuela Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  42. "Fernando Valenzuela Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  43. "Roger Clemens Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  44. "Rogers Clemens Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  45. "Orel Hershiser Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  46. "Orel Hershiser Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  47. "Barry Bonds Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  48. "Barry Bonds Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  49. "Alex Rodriguez Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  50. "Alex Rodriguez Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  51. "Albert Pujols Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  52. "Albert Pujols Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  53. "Justin Verlander Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  54. "Justin Verlander Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  55. "Miguel Cabrera Baseball Almanac Awards". [[Baseball Almanac]].
  56. "Miguel Cabrera Statistics". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  57. Spector, Jesse. (October 23, 2014). "Clayton Kershaw edges Mike Trout for Sporting News Player of the Year". Sporting News.
  58. "Sporting News MLB Player of the Year for 2015".
  59. (29 October 2021). "Astros' Jose Altuve voted Sporting News MLB Player of the Year for 2016".
  60. (12 August 2021). "Jose Altuve voted Sporting News 2017 MLB Player of the Year".
  61. (12 August 2021). "Red Sox star Mookie Betts named Sporting News MLB Player of the Year".
  62. (12 August 2021). "Angels star Mike Trout voted 2019 Sporting News MLB Player of the Year".
  63. "José Abreu named Sporting News MLB Player of the Year".
  64. (29 October 2021). "'Beyond incredible': Shohei Ohtani constantly left MLB peers in awe during historic 2021 season".
  65. (27 October 2022). "'Aaron Judge voted top player'".
  66. (26 October 2023). "'The 2023 Sporting News MLB Award Winners and All-Stars'".
  67. (27 October 2024). "'2024 Sporting News MLB awards: Historic season earns Shohei Ohtani Player of the Year honor'".
  68. (24 October 2025). "'Slugger Cal Raleigh earns Sporting News MLB Player of the Year'".
  69. [[List of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Members of Baseball Hall of Fame]]
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about The Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report