THE WINNERS
TED WILLIAMS
1946
1st, 224 points
.342/.497/.667, 142 runs scored, 38 home runs, 123 RBIs
The MVP Award eluded Williams more often than he actually won it, but in 1946 he was the best player on a juggernaut Red Sox team that steamrolled every AL team on the way to the World Series. It would have been impossible to deny Williams the award. He led the league in OBP, slugging percentage, runs scored and walks (156). By bWAR (10.6), it was the greatest season of his career. It is no wonder he finally won it.
1949
1st, 272 points
.343/.490/.650, 150 runs scored, 43 home runs, 159 RBIs
Just a few years later, Williams won his second, and last, MVP Award. The Red Sox were in a dogfight for the pennant into the last game of the season and Williams was once again the best player on the team. He led the league in runs scored, home runs, RBIs, OBP, slugging percentage and walks (150). Again, this was an easy victory for Williams.
RECEIVING VOTES
JOE CRONIN
11th, 26 points
.311/.406/.508, 16 home runs, 95 RBIs
Cronin was still the Red Sox player/manager in 1941, guiding the team to a second place finish at 84-70. The shortstop was in his final season as a regular player, but still had a fair amount left in the tank. It was also his last All Star season. He was eighth in OBP and slugging percentage and was sixth in the league in doubles (38).
1943
27th, 3 points
.312/.398/.558, five home runs, 29 RBIs
I do not really understand this one. His slash line was pretty decent, but Cronin only played in 59 games. He was still the team's player/manager but was much more focused on the managerial side of things by this point in his career. Also, the team finished seventh in the league, so he does not really get credit for being a manager. This just really does not make much sense.
DOM DIMAGGIO
27th, 1 point
.283/.385/.408, 117 runs, 165 hits, eight home runs, 58 RBIs, 13 stolen bases
The Little Professor was in his sophomore season in 1941 and was a catalyst for the Red Sox offense. He was also a fantastic defensive center fielder, like his brother. DiMaggio was named to his first All Star team in 1941 and was third in runs scored, tenth in hits and seventh in doubles (37).
1946
9th, 56 points
.316/.393/.427, 85 runs scored, 169 hits, seven home runs, 73 RBIs, ten stolen bases
As with several other players, DiMaggio returned from service in World War II in 1946. He had a big season that year, finishing fifth in the league in batting average, OBP, tenth in OPS (.820), ninth in runs and sixth in hits while making the All Star team. This was DiMaggio's highest position in MVP voting in his career.
1948
29th, 3 points
.285/.383/.401, 127 runs scored, 185 hits, nine home runs, 87 RBIs, ten stolen bases
It was another very good year for the younger DiMaggio. He led the league in games played (155) and at-bats (648) as a result of the team playing a one-game playoff against the Indians. He was second in runs scored, sixth in hits, fourth in doubles (40) and walks (101). He also led the league in several defensive categories for center fielders.
1949
16th, 7 points
.307/.404/.420, 126 runs scored, 186 hits, eight home runs, 60 RBIs, nine stolen bases
DiMaggio was a catalyst again for the Red Sox. He finished seventh in the AL in batting average, tenth in OBP, third in runs scored, hits and doubles (34) and ninth in walks (96). He was also once again first in several defensive categories. He was an All Star for the fourth time in his career.
JOE DOBSON
29th, 3 points
18-8, 2.95 ERA, 228.2 innings pitched, 110 strikeouts, 73 walks
Dobson was always kind of a good pitcher, but in 1947 he stepped it up a notch. It was the best season of his career as he reached career bests in most major pitching categories. He was fourth in the league in wins, sixth in ERA and ninth in strikeouts. Dobson was the team's best starting pitcher in 1947.
1948
24th, 5 points
16-10, 3.56 ERA, 245.1 innings pitched, 116 strikeouts, 92 walks
It was another quality season for Dobson, who hit his career high in strikeouts. He was no longer the team's best starting pitcher, but he was very good in his own right. 1948 was the only All Star season of Dobson's career. He was seventh in strikeouts, eighth in wins and tenth in ERA.
BOBBY DOERR
11th, 24 points
.290/.369/.455, 15 home runs, 102 RBIs
Ted Williams once called Doerr "the silent captain of the Red Sox". He was an offensively-gifted second baseman at a time when most middle infielders were not known for offense. He finished seventh in the league in slugging, ninth in OPS (.824), fifth in doubles (35), eighth in home runs and fifth in RBIs. Not bad for a second-baseman.
1943
14th, 21 points
.270/.339/.412, 16 home runs, 75 RBIs
1943 was a bit of a down season for Doerr as most of his offensive numbers declined a bit. He did hit more home runs, but that was about it. Nevertheless, he was still a very important member of the offense. He did finish ninth in the league in slugging percentage, seventh in doubles (32) and home runs and became one of the better defensive second-basemen in the game.
1944
7th, 75 points
.325/.399/.528, 15 home runs, 81 RBIs
1944 was a season that saw a lot of players serving in the military. Doerr was still around though and was the team's top player. He led the league in slugging percentage while also finishing second in batting average, third in OBP and second in OPS (.927). He was also eighth in home runs and ninth in RBIs. He was also the league's top defensive second-baseman.
1946
3rd, 158 points
.271/.346/.453, 18 home runs, 116 RBIs
The Red Sox were a juggernaut in 1946 and had five players in the top ten in MVP voting. Doerr was third as he finished fifth in the league in doubles (34), eighth in home runs, fourth in RBIs. He was also once more one of the top defensive second-basemen in the league. 1946 was Doerr's highest placement in the MVP vote.
1947
24th, 6 points
.258/.329/.426, 17 home runs, 95 RBIs
Though his slash line categories took a bit of a tumble, Doerr remained a very valuable member of the Red Sox offense in 1947. He still managed to finish tenth in slugging percentage, ninth in home runs and fifth in RBIs.
1948
19th, 10 points
.285/.386/.505, 27 home runs, 111 RBIs
Doerr hit his career high in home runs in 1948 and was fifth in the league. He was seventh in the league in slugging percentage and RBIs. He was named to his sixth All Star Game and was the top defensive second-baseman in the game.
1949
16th, 7 points
.309/.393/.497, 18 home runs, 109 RBIs
And it was another big season for the Red Sox second-baseman. He finished fifth in the league in batting average, fourth in slugging percentage, fifth in OPS (.890) and fourth in RBIs while playing his standard excellent defense.
BOO FERRISS
4th, 148 points
21-10, 2.96 ERA, 264.2 innings pitched, 94 strikeouts, 85 walks
1945 was the season that was most effected by the ongoing war and Boston was probably the most effected team as most of the team's stars were serving their country. It was the year of Ferriss as he exploded onto the scene in his rookie season. He was second in the league in innings pitched, ninth in ERA and second in wins.
1946
7th, 94 points
25-6, 3.25 ERA, 274 innings pitched, 106 strikeouts, 71 walks
Ferriss was one of Boston's top starting pitchers the year the team cruised to the World Series. He was third in the league in wins and fifth in innings pitched. He was an All Star for the only time in his career. Unfortunately, this was the end of the road for Ferriss as an effective pitcher.
LOU FINNEY
29th, 1 point
.320/.360/.463, five home runs, 73 RBIs
Finney had his best offensive season in his first full year in Boston after spending the first several years of his career with the A's. He was an All Star for the only time in his career and split the year between right field and first base. His career high in batting average placed him ninth in the league. He is one of the more random players to receive an MVP vote in this post.
PETE FOX
33rd, 1 point
.288/.337/.366, two home runs, 44 RBIs, 22 stolen bases
Boston's right fielder during much of the war years, Fox is another kind of random player to receive an MVP vote in this post. He finished ninth in the league in batting average and sixth in stolen bases. He was one of the few players for the team during this time period who had great speed. His 22 steals were the top mark of the decade for the team.
1944
15th, 12 points
.315/.354/.419, one home run, 64 RBIs, ten stolen bases
Fox had his last big season at the plate as his .315 batting average was sixth in the league. He also finished fourth in doubles (37) and tenth in stolen bases, though his total dropped considerably from the previous season. Fox was also an All Star for the only time in his career.
JIMMIE FOXX
6th, 110 points
.297/.412/.581, 106 runs scored, 36 home runs, 119 RBIs
Foxx was nearing the end of his magnificent career in 1940. It was his final season with more than 30 home runs as his 36 was second in the league. Foxx also had top five finishes in slugging percentage, OPS (.993), walks (101) and RBIs. He was also an All Star. Foxx's career would decline from here until his retirement in the 1945 season.
BILLY GOODMAN
27th, 4 points
.310/.414/.387, one home run, 66 RBIs
Goodman was fourth in the league in the Rookie of the Year vote and also received some low MVP votes. He primarily played first base in 1948 and finished fourth in OBP. His power numbers were not good, but he was an excelled contact hitter with a strong eye at the plate. His best years were yet to come.
TEX HUGHSON
6th, 92 points
22-6, 2.59 ERA, 281 innings pitched, 113 strikeouts, 75 walks
Hughson had his best season in just his first full season in the Majors, appearing in the All Star Game for the first time. He led the league in innings pitched, wins, strikeouts and complete games (22). He was sixth in the league in ERA. Had there been a Cy Young Award at the time, it is likely he would have won.
1944
12th, 22 points
18-5, 2.26 ERA, 203.1 innings pitched, 112 strikeouts, 41 walks
After failing to get MVP consideration in 1943, despite a very similar year, he was back in 1944. This was Hughson's last appearance in an All Star Game and he led the league in winning percentage (.783) and WHIP (1.048). He was third in the league in ERA, fourth in wins and seventh in strikeouts. He was also third in complete games (19) and shutouts (four).
1946
13th, 19 points
20-11, 2.75 ERA, 278 innings pitched, 172 strikeouts, 51 walks
Hughson and Boo Ferriss gave the Red Sox a formidable one-two punch at the top of their rotation in 1946, the year they made it back to the World Series for the first time since 1918. It was Hughson's last great season due to arm trouble. He was fourth in wins, eighth in ERA and third in strikeouts. It was his career high in strikeouts by a pretty fair margin.
BOB JOHNSON
10th, 51 points
.324/.431/.528, 106 runs scored, 40 doubles, 17 home runs, 106 RBIs
Johnson was 38 years old and in his first Red Sox season, but he had a lot left in the tank as he was one of the best hitters on the team. Johnson led the league in OBP and OPS (.959). He was also second in slugging, sixth in hits, second in runs scored, third in doubles, sixth in home runs and second in RBIs. He primarily played left field in the absence of Ted Williams. It was his last All Star season.
1945
23rd, 6 points
.280/.358/.425, 71 runs scored, 27 doubles, 12 home runs, 74 RBIs
1945 was Johnson's final Major League season. It was a reasonably productive season for a final year, though it was against lesser competition as this was the season most effected by World War II. He was sixth in slugging percentage, ninth in home runs and seventh in RBIs.
ELLIS KINDER
5th, 122 points
23-6, 3.36 ERA, 252 innings pitched, 138 strikeouts, 99 walks
"Old Folks" had his greatest season as a starting pitcher in 1949, though he would have some great years as a reliever later. He received his nickname as a result of making his Major League debut in 1946 at 31 years of age. Kinder was one of Boston's most reliable pitchers in 1949 and finished second in the league in wins, ninth in ERA and third in strikeouts.
EDDIE LAKE
31st, 2 points
.279/.412/.410, 81 runs scored, 11 home runs, 51 RBIs, 106 walks
The Red Sox shortstop had the best season of his career, and the only one in which he received any MVP consideration. His league-leading on-base percentage was boosted by his incredible number of walks. He finished second in the league in that category. He was also fourth in runs scored and ten in home runs. Lake had a chance in Boston due to Johnny Pesky serving in the military. He was traded after 1945 to the Tigers in the deal that brought Rudy York to Boston.
TONY LUPIEN
25th, 4 points
.281/.351/.384, 25 doubles, three home runs, 70 RBIs, ten stolen bases
Lupien was a rookie in 1942. He had decent numbers, but for a first-baseman, the numbers are not real impressive. The only statistic he was in the top ten in the league in was sacrifice hits. He was sixth in the league with 12 sacrifice hits. He is another very random player to appear in this post.
DICK NEWSOME
9th, 32 points
19-10, 4.13 ERA, 213.2 innings pitched, 58 strikeouts, 78 walks
Newsome, like Lupien, was a rookie when he received his MVP consideration. His 19 wins are the primary reason he is here as most of the rest of his numbers were not that impressive. He was third in the league in wins. Otherwise, he is primarily known for allowing Joe DiMaggio's hit in the last game of 56 game hitting streak. 1941 was Newsome's only decent season and he was out of the Majors after 1943.
SKEETER NEWSOME
27th, 3 points
.265/.301/.327, 21 doubles, one home run, 22 RBIs
This Newsome is not the same person as Dick Newsome, nor is he any relation. This one was a shortstop, who also played a little third base. I assume he was considered a good defensive shortstop because I really cannot explain this at all. He did finish first in range factor, for whatever that is worth when applying advanced defensive metrics to a player who played long before these things were measured.
1945
32nd, 1 points
.290/.322/.370, 30 doubles, one home run, 48 RBIs
This one makes a bit more sense. Newsome did not have great numbers, but they were a bit better than in 1943. He split time between second (82 games), shortstop (33 games) and third (eleven games). His .290 batting average was tenth in the league.
MEL PARNELL
4th, 151 points
25-7, 2.77 ERA, 295.1 innings pitched, 122 strikeouts, 134 walks
Parnell was probably the best pitcher in the league in 1949 and made the first All Star team of his career. He led the league in wins, ERA, innings pitched and complete games (27). He was seventh in strikeouts and fourth in shutouts (four). He and Kinder were Boston's top starting pitchers and pitched a lot down the stretch.
JOHNNY PESKY
3rd, 143 points
.331/.375/.416, 105 runs scored, 205 hits, two home runs, 51 RBIs, 12 stolen bases
Pesky had one of the greatest seasons by a rookie shortstop in history. He led the league in hits and sacrifice hits (22) while finishing second in the league in batting average, sixth in runs and tenth in triples (nine). Pesky would go on to become one of the most beloved Red Sox players of all time and have the right field foul pole named after him.
1946
4th, 141 points
.335/.401/.427, 115 runs scored, 208 hits, two home runs, 55 RBIs, nine stolen bases
Despite having a number of really good to great seasons, 1946 was the only season that Pesky was an All Star. He came back from three seasons of military service to lead the league in hits for the second year in a row. He was third in the league in batting average, fourth in OBP, ninth in OPS (.827), second in runs scored, third in doubles (43) and ninth in stolen bases.
1947
18th, 11 points
.324/.393/.392, 106 runs scored, 207 hits, zero home runs, 39 RBIs, 12 stolen bases
For the third season in a row that Pesky was active, he led the league in hits. His tumble in the MVP vote can most likely be attributed to the team being worse, because his season was every bit as good as his previous two. He finished third in batting average, seventh in OBP, third in runs scored and third in stolen bases. Pesky would likely be a borderline Hall of Famer had he not missed three seasons early in his career to military service.
VERN STEPHENS
4th, 121 points
.269/.350/.471, 114 runs scored, 29 home runs, 137 RBIs
The acquisition of Stephens moved Johnny Pesky to third base. Stephens was one of the first true power-hitting shortstops. He ranked sixth in the league in runs scored, fourth in home runs and second in RBIs. The right-handed slugger found Fenway to his liking.
1949
7th, 100 points
.290/.391/.539, 113 runs scored, 39 home runs, 159 RBIs
That RBI total is huge and tied Stephens for the league lead with teammate Ted Williams. Stephens was second in the league in slugging percentage, third in OPS (.930), fourth in runs scored, seventh in hits (177), fifth in doubles (31) and second in home runs. It was one of the most productive offensive seasons for a shortstop to that point. He probably should have finished a lot higher than seventh.
JIM TABOR
33rd, 1 point
.242/.299/.374, 13 home runs, 85 RBIs
Rawhide had several better seasons than 1943 that he did not receive any MVP consideration, so it is kind of odd that this was the year he received a vote. He did finish seventh in the league in RBIs, but that was about the best that could be said about his season. He was a gritty, hard-nosed player, and that likely made him a bit of a fan favorite.
BIRDIE TEBBETTS
11th, 23 points
.280/.371/.381, five home runs, 68 RBIs
Tebbetts was a good contact hitter for a catcher and was an All Star for the third time in his career in 1948 (and the first time with the Red Sox). He did not rank in the top ten in any offensive categories, but was a strong defensive catcher and a reliable leader on the field.
1949
18th, 6 points
.270/.369/.342, five home runs, 48 RBIs
Though it was an even weaker offensive season for Tebbetts, he once again garnered MVP consideration based on his defense and leadership qualities. He did finish tenth in intentional walks (six), most likely because he typically batted ahead of the pitcher's spot in the lineup. That would also explain his 62 walks versus 32 strikeouts.
HAL WAGNER
26th, 1 point
.230/.354/.322, six home runs, 52 RBIs
As with Birdie Tebbetts above, Wagner's vote likely came as a result of him being a reliable presence behind the plate. He may have been given credit for helping Boston's pitching staff to such a massive season. He did finish tenth in walks (69) and was an All Star, but his hitting certainly did not gain him the MVP consideration.
TED WILLIAMS
14th, 16 points
.344/.442/.594, 134 runs scored, 23 home runs, 113 RBIs
The sophomore season for Williams was not quite as good as his rookie season, but he was still an extremely impressive hitter. He led the league in runs scored and OBP and was third in batting average and fifth in RBIs. It was not one of his greatest seasons, but it was a very good year nonetheless.
1941
2nd, 254 points
.406/.553/.735, 135 runs scored, 37 home runs, 120 RBIs
Look, I know Joe DiMaggio had the 56-game hitting streak in 1941 and that the Yankees won the pennant, but Williams's numbers eclipse DiMaggio's nearly across the board. Williams led the league in all three slash categories, home runs, runs scored, and walks (147). He was fourth in RBIs, the only major hitting category of which DiMaggio had the advantage. This is still the last time any hitter has ever hit .400 in a full season.
1942
2nd, 249 points
.356/.499/.648, 141 runs scored, 36 home runs, 137 RBIs
This one is worse than 1941. Williams lost out to Joe Gordon of the Yankees on the strength of the fact that the Yankees won the pennant. Williams won the Triple Crown, and also led the league in runs scored and walks (145). Gordon had more stolen bases, that's it. This is one of the biggest travesties in MVP voting history. Williams had a bad relationship with baseball writers and that cost him.
1947
2nd, 201 points
.343/.499/.634, 125 runs scored, 32 home runs, 114 RBIs
As in 1942, Williams won the Triple Crown in 1947, and, as in 1942, somehow he came in second in the MVP vote. This time he lost out to Joe DiMaggio, as he did in 1941. The only statistic DiMaggio had the lead in was stolen bases (three to zero). This was the closest MVP vote in history that did not end in a tie as DiMaggio won by just one vote. One sportswriter left Williams off his ballot entirely out of spite, otherwise he would have won.
1948
3rd, 171 points
.369/.497/.615, 124 runs scored, 25 home runs, 127 RBIs
The 1948 season saw Boston finish tied for first with Cleveland, necessitating a Game 163, which Cleveland won. Cleveland's Lou Boudreau won the MVP. Williams led the league in all three slash categories, doubles (44) and walks (126). His power numbers had declined a little and he missed a little bit of time.
RUDY YORK
11th, 28 points
.276/.371/.437, 17 home runs, 119 RBIs
York was acquired by the Red Sox prior to the 1946 season to add a right-handed thumper to the middle of the lineup. York definitely fit the part. He made the All Star team and finished tenth in OBP, ninth in hits (160), ninth in home runs and third in RBIs.
No comments:
Post a Comment