Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award
Encyclopedia
The Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual award given to the best player in minor league baseball's
Pacific Coast League
. Managers
from the 16 Pacific Coast League teams vote for the winner of the award, which is then combined with 16 votes from various general managers, broadcasters, and media representatives around the league to determine a winner. The award was formerly voted upon by writers from The Sporting News. In 1927, Lefty O'Doul
won the first ever Pacific Coast League MVP award. No player was selected from 1928 to 1931. In 1932, the award returned, going to Jigger Statz
. For six seasons in the 1970s (1973, 1975–79) the award was suspended. In 1948, Charlie Graham
donated a plaque, which was named in his honor, to be awarded annually to the league's MVP.
First basemen including the reigning Pacific Coast League MVP, Bryan LaHair
, with 19 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (5), second basemen (3), and shortstop
s (2). Seven players who won the award were catchers
. Twenty-five outfielder
s have won the MVP award, the most of any position. A total of 10 pitchers have won the MVP award, all of them being right-handed. The last pitcher to win was Steve Mintz
in 1996. The Pacific Coast League now has a Most Valuable Pitcher Award, which was established in 2001. Steve Bilko
has the record for most MVP award wins with three (1955–57). Sandy Alomar, Jr.
, and Les Scarsella
have both won the MVP award twice. Scarsella first won the award in 1944 as a first baseman and then won his second in 1946 as an outfielder.
Two Pacific Coast League MVP award winners, Joe DiMaggio
and Tony Pérez
, have gone on to be inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
. Seven players from the Los Angeles Angels
and the Las Vegas Stars/51s
have been selected for the MVP award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Albuquerque Dukes
and San Diego Padres
(6); the Hollywood Stars
(5); the Oakland Oaks
, Sacramento River Cats
, San Francisco Seals, and Spokane Indians
(4); the Calgary Cannons
, Salt Lake City Bees/Salt Lake Stingers
, Seattle Rainiers
, and Tucson Toros/Sidewinders
(3); the Edmonton Trappers
, Oklahoma RedHawks/Oklahoma City 89ers
, and Sacramento Solons
(2); and the Eugene Emeralds
, Fresno Grizzlies
, Indianapolis Indians
, Iowa Cubs
, Omaha Royals
, Tacoma Giants
, and the Tulsa Oilers
(1).
Twelve players from the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers
Major League Baseball
(MLB) organization have won the MVP award, more than any other, followed by the Chicago Cubs
organization (9), the Oakland Athletics
organization (4), the San Diego Padres
organization (4), the San Francisco Giants
organization (4), the Chicago White Sox
organization (3), the Houston Astros
organization (3), the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization (3), the Seattle Mariners
organization (3), the St. Louis Cardinals
organization (3), the Anaheim/California Angels
organization (2), the Cincinnati Reds
organization (2), the Philadelphia Phillies
organization (2), the Texas Rangers
organization (2), the Toronto Blue Jays
organization (2), the Arizona Diamondbacks
organization (1), the Cleveland Indians
organization (1), the Kansas City Royals
organization (1), and the New York Yankees
organization (1). Thirteen MVP award winners were not members of any MLB organization.
See also
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. Managers
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
from the 16 Pacific Coast League teams vote for the winner of the award, which is then combined with 16 votes from various general managers, broadcasters, and media representatives around the league to determine a winner. The award was formerly voted upon by writers from The Sporting News. In 1927, Lefty O'Doul
Lefty O'Doul
Francis Joseph "Lefty" O'Doul was an American Major League Baseball player who went on to become an extraordinarily successful manager in the minor leagues, and also a vital figure in the establishment of professional baseball in Japan.-Player:Born in San Francisco, California, O'Doul began his...
won the first ever Pacific Coast League MVP award. No player was selected from 1928 to 1931. In 1932, the award returned, going to Jigger Statz
Jigger Statz
Arnold John "Jigger" Statz was a Major League Baseball outfielder who also had a lengthy minor league career....
. For six seasons in the 1970s (1973, 1975–79) the award was suspended. In 1948, Charlie Graham
Charlie Graham
Charles Henry Graham [Uncle Charlie] was a baseball catcher, manager and team owner. Listed at 6' 0", 190 lb., Graham batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Santa Clara, California....
donated a plaque, which was named in his honor, to be awarded annually to the league's MVP.
First basemen including the reigning Pacific Coast League MVP, Bryan LaHair
Bryan LaHair
Bryan Allan LaHair is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Before the majors:...
, with 19 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (5), second basemen (3), and shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
s (2). Seven players who won the award were catchers
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. Twenty-five outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
s have won the MVP award, the most of any position. A total of 10 pitchers have won the MVP award, all of them being right-handed. The last pitcher to win was Steve Mintz
Steve Mintz
Stephen Wayne Mintz is a retired professional baseball pitcher. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball, 1995 for the San Francisco Giants and 1999 for the Anaheim Angels...
in 1996. The Pacific Coast League now has a Most Valuable Pitcher Award, which was established in 2001. Steve Bilko
Steve Bilko
Stephen Thomas Bilko , was an American professional baseball player known for his home run hitting as a minor league player during the 1950s. He was 20 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 22, 1949, with the St. Louis Cardinals.Nat Hiken, creator of The Phil Silvers Show,...
has the record for most MVP award wins with three (1955–57). Sandy Alomar, Jr.
Sandy Alomar, Jr.
Santos "Sandy" Alomar, Jr., or in the Spanish-language naming system Santos Alomar Velázquez , is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the San Diego Padres , Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox and , Colorado Rockies , Texas Rangers , Los Angeles Dodgers , and New York Mets...
, and Les Scarsella
Les Scarsella
Leslie George Scarsella was a Major League Baseball player. He played five seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Bees .-External links:...
have both won the MVP award twice. Scarsella first won the award in 1944 as a first baseman and then won his second in 1946 as an outfielder.
Two Pacific Coast League MVP award winners, Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
and Tony Pérez
Tony Pérez
Atanasio Pérez Rigal , more commonly known as Tony Pérez, is a former Major League Baseball player. He was also known by the nickname "Big Dog," "Big Doggie," and "Doggie."...
, have gone on to be inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
. Seven players from the Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
and the Las Vegas Stars/51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
have been selected for the MVP award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Albuquerque Dukes
Albuquerque Dukes
The Albuquerque Dukes were a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.-History:The first Dukes team was formed in 1915 as part of the Class-D Rio Grande Association. The team finished in third place with a 32-25 record. Frank Huelman was the league leader in home runs,...
and San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres (PCL)
The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. The team that would eventually become the Padres was well traveled prior to moving to San Diego. It began its existence in 1903 as the Sacramento Solons, a charter member of the PCL...
(6); the Hollywood Stars
Hollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early and mid 20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.-Hollywood Stars :...
(5); the Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks may refer to:*Oakland Oaks , a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 to 1955*Oakland Oaks , a professional ice hockey team that played in the Pacific Coast Hockey League from 1948 to 1949...
, Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
, San Francisco Seals, and Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
(4); the Calgary Cannons
Calgary Cannons
The Calgary Cannons were a minor league baseball team located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for 18 seasons, from 1985 until 2002. They were a member of the AAA Pacific Coast League and played at Foothills Stadium. The Cannons replaced the Calgary Expos who played in the rookie level Pioneer League...
, Salt Lake City Bees/Salt Lake Stingers
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
, Seattle Rainiers
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
, and Tucson Toros/Sidewinders
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders were a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which played in the Pacific Coast League, was the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club....
(3); the Edmonton Trappers
Edmonton Trappers
The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada....
, Oklahoma RedHawks/Oklahoma City 89ers
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
, and Sacramento Solons
Sacramento Solons
The Sacramento Solons were a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Pacific Coast League during several periods . The current Sacramento River Cats began play in 2000...
(2); and the Eugene Emeralds
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001....
, Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
, Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
, Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
, Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
, Tacoma Giants
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
, and the Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers (baseball)
The Tulsa Oilers, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off in multiple leagues from 1905 to 1976. For most of their history, they played at Oiler Park, which opened on July 11, 1934, and was located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th Street and...
(1).
Twelve players from the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) organization have won the MVP award, more than any other, followed by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
organization (9), the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
organization (4), the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
organization (4), the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
organization (4), the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
organization (3), the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
organization (3), the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization (3), the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
organization (3), the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
organization (3), the Anaheim/California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
organization (2), the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
organization (2), the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
organization (2), the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
organization (2), the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
organization (2), the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
organization (1), the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
organization (1), the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
organization (1), and the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
organization (1). Thirteen MVP award winners were not members of any MLB organization.
Key
| Year | Links to the article about the corresponding Pacific Coast League season |
| Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of... |
|
| Denotes player who is still active | |
| |
Pitcher Pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the... (RHP indicates right-handed; LHP indicates left-handed) |
| |
Catcher Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... |
| |
First Baseman First baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... |
| |
Second baseman Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
| |
Third baseman Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
| |
Shortstop Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
| |
Outfielder Outfielder Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder... |
| |
Designated hitter Designated hitter In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to... |
Winners
| Year | Winner | Team | Organization | Position | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| OF | |||||
| † | OF | ||||
| RHP | |||||
| 3B | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| OF | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| C | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| C | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| OF | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| C | |||||
| OF | |||||
| † | 1B | ||||
| 1B | |||||
| C | |||||
| 3B | |||||
| OF | |||||
| 2B | |||||
| SS | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| C | |||||
| C | |||||
| SS | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| RHP | |||||
| ^ | 3B | ||||
| OF | |||||
| OF | |||||
| ^ | 2B | ||||
| 3B | |||||
| OF | |||||
| 1B | |||||
| ^ | 1B | ||||
| ^ | 2B | ||||
| 3B | |||||
| ^ | C | ||||
| ^ | OF | ||||
| ^ | 1B | ||||
| ^ | C | ||||
| ^ | 1B | ||||
See also
- International League Most Valuable Player AwardInternational League Most Valuable Player AwardThe International League Most Valuable Player Award is an annual award given to the best player in minor league baseball's International League.-Key:-Winners:-See also:*Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award...
- Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award
- Baseball awards #U.S. minor leagues