I am likely going to be breaking up the MVP Awards History topic into several posts. I could just do the winners, but that is not as much fun as showing all of the vote-getters. But then if I do that, the post will be WAY too long and no one will read it. So, I might just do it by decades. So, off we go.
The Chalmers Award was a precursor to the MVP Award issued from 1911 through 1914. It was voted on by one writer from each city with an MLB team.
THE WINNER
TRIS SPEAKER
1st, 59 points
.383/.464/.567, 10 home runs, 90 RBIs, 136 runs, 222 hits, 52 stolen bases
In what was perhaps Speaker's greatest year in a Hall of Fame career (WAR supports this, his 10.1 was a career high), Speaker led the league in home runs, doubles (53) and on-base percentage. He was also third in batting average, sixth in slugging, second in runs, third in hits, fifth in RBIs and fourth in stolen bases. He was also an outstanding defensive center fielder, who led the league in assists, double plays and fielding percentage. He helped lead the Red Sox to one of their greatest seasons, a record of 105-47-2 and their second World Championship.
RECEIVING VOTES
BILL CARRIGAN
T-18th, 3 points
.263/.359/.297, 70 hits, 24 RBIs, 34 runs
I guess Carrigan is getting points for being tough behind the plate for a team that won 105 games and the World Series. His stats certainly do not warrant much consideration as he played in just 87 games and had an OPS+ of 85. He did finish fourth in putouts, third in runners caught stealing and first in fielding percentage (.970).
HARRY HOOPER
T-24th, 1 point
.288/.359/.399, four home runs, 40 RBIs, 100 runs, 169 hits, 26 stolen bases
Like Tris Speaker, Hooper is a Hall of Fame outfielder for the Red Sox from the Deadball Era. He was not generally a great hitter, but he was among the top ten in runs (seventh), hits (tenth), doubles (34, eighth), home runs (eighth) and stolen bases (eighth). Defense was primarily Hooper's strength and he led the league in putouts, double plays and fielding percentage (.966) as a right fielder.
1914
T-20th, 4 points
.258/.336/.364, one home run, 41 RBIs, 85 runs, 137 hits, 19 stolen bases
Hooper's numbers dipped a little in 1914, but he still finished in the top five in runs scored (fifth), doubles (23, eighth) and triples (15, fifth). He also had another terrific season in the field, leading the league in putouts and placing in the top five in assists (second), double plays (second) and fielding percentage (fourth).
LARRY GARDNER
T-14th, 4 points
.315/.383/.449, three home runs, 86 RBIs, 88 runs scored, 163 hits, 25 stolen bases
Gardner is a somewhat underrated player. He had a very impressive career and is close to a borderline Hall of Famer, which I may look at some day. This was the only year he received any MVP consideration, which is surprising. He finished ninth in average, ninth in OBP, seventh in slugging, eighth in RBIs and was coming into his own as a defensive third-baseman.
HUB "DUTCH" LEONARD
T-16th, 6 points
19-5, 0.96 ERA, 176 strikeouts in 224.2 innings pitched
Leonard's 1914 season is notable historically for producing the all-time lowest ERA by a qualified starting pitcher. It easily led the league, as did his 0.886 WHIP, 5.6 hits per nine and 7.1 strikeouts per nine. Leonard was also fourth in wins, second in winning percentage, fifth in saves (three), third in strikeouts and second in shutouts (seven). Leonard had emerged as Boston's best pitcher in 1914.
DUFFY LEWIS
T-20th, 4 points
.278/.357/.398, two home runs, 79 RBIs, 53 runs, 142 hits, 22 stolen bases
The left fielder in Boston's terrific outfield of the first half of the 1910's, Lewis tied Hooper in the award voting. Lewis is sort of the forgotten man in that outfield as he was not as good a hitter or fielder as the other two, but he generally held his own. Lewis finished second in doubles (37) and sixth in RBIs.
EVERETT SCOTT
T-14th, 7 points
.239/.286/.301, two home runs, 37 RBIs, 66 runs, 129 hits, nine stolen bases
Scott tied for seventh in the award vote with Ty Cobb, which was probably bragging rights for Scott. Scott was a rookie in 1914 and took over shortstop from Heinie Wagner. He was not a good hitter in 1914 (76 OPS+), or ever in his career, but his value came from his defense. He was fifth in putouts, fifth in assists, fourth in double plays and third in fielding percentage (.949). Scott would eventually go on to produce an impressive errorless streak and have the record for consecutive games played before Lou Gehrig.
TRIS SPEAKER
T-6th, 16 points
.334/.418/.502, eight home runs, 70 RBIs, 88 runs, 167 hits, 25 stolen bases
Ty Cobb won the award in the first year it was given. Speaker was ninth in average, fifth in OBP, sixth in slugging and second in home runs (it was the Deadball Era). It was actually not one of Speaker's better years, but he was such a great player that he was going to get votes.
1913
4th, 26 points
.363/.441/.533, three home runs, 71 RBIs, 94 runs, 189 hits, 46 stolen bases
The Red Sox fell to fourth in 1913, but Speaker was still one of the top players in the game. He was third in average, fourth in OBP and second in slugging. He was also third in hits, ninth in runs scored, ninth in RBIs and fifth in stolen bases. He remained a terrific defensive center fielder.
1914
.338/.423/.503, four home runs, 90 RBIs, 101 runs, 193 hits, 42 stolen bases
Boston finished second in the league and once again, Speaker was the team's best player. He led the league in hits, doubles (46) and total bases (287). Speaker was also in the top ten in average (third), OBP (third), slugging (second), runs scored (second), home runs (fourth), RBIs (third) and stolen bases (third). He probably should have finished MUCH higher in the MVP vote. He led position players in WAR, even higher than award winner Eddie Collins of the A's.
HEINIE WAGNER
10th, 12 points
.274/.358/.359, two home runs, 68 RBIs, 75 runs, 138 hits, 21 stolen bases
Wagner was a well-respected, dependable shortstop for the World Champion Red Sox. He was a slightly above-average hitter (102 OPS+), though he was only in the top ten in one offensive category. He was ninth in walks (92). Wagner was a very capable defensive shortstop though and ranked in the top five in the league in putouts, assists, double plays and range factor and was fifth in the league in fielding percentage (.922).
1913
12th, 6 points
.227/.316/.326, two home runs, 34 RBIs, 43 runs, 83 hits, nine stolen bases
Wagner played in just 110 games and his offensive numbers took quite a dive as well. He was fifth in putouts and fourth in fielding percentage (.937), but there is not much I can really say about this season. He was still a good defensive shortstop, but no longer adequate with the bat (86 OPS+).
SMOKY JOE WOOD
5th, 22 points
34-5, 1.91 ERA, 258 strikeouts in 344 innings pitched
Wood was the ace pitcher on the 1912 World Champion Red Sox. His 34 (!) wins led the league and set a mark that has not been broken in team history. He also led the league in winning percentage (.872), complete games (35) and shutouts (10). He was also second in the league in both strikeouts and ERA. Wood was one of the top pitchers in the game in 1912, but injuries would hamper his career from this point on.
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