Best non MVP seasons

[popo85]

With all the debate of Kemp/Braun MVP race last season, name some other players who had the numbers and deserved to win in previous seasons.

Albert Belle 1995- In a mini strike shortened season 145 games he hit .317 50 homers and drove in 126 runs but Vaughn got the award even though Belle had the greater numbers and his team swept Vaughn's in the playoffs.

[Jeffy25]

In b4 Kemp is mentioned....nm, OP did it lol.

Ted Williams - 1941
1999 in the AL got really screwed up
Pedro should have won at least one
Griffey in 96, or even A-Rod
Willie Mays from 1962 straight through 1964, as well some years in the later 50's
Babe Ruth several times as well, because at that time you could only win it once.

[sexicano31]

What year did Pudge win the MVP, 1999? There were 3 guys or so who were phenomenal and didn't win it that year

[Jeffy25]

What year did Pudge win the MVP, 1999? There were 3 guys or so who were phenomenal and didn't win it that year

yup

[jbro732]

Clemens in 97 could have won it, Randy Myers finished ahead of him in the MVP voting that year. Clemens likely wasn't beating Griffey that year but he should have finished higher in the voting.

[RTL]

I have zero problem with Pudge winning in 1999 but there were others just as deserving. That was a tough year.

[metswon69]

Probably Hank Greenberg's 1937 season when he hit .337 with 40 homers and a 183 RBI.

Ironically Joe Dimaggio also had 46 homers, batted .346 and had 167 RBI that year and lost to Charlie Gehringer.

Or 1931 when Lou Gehrig hit .341 had 46 homers and 184 RBI and lost to Lefty Grove.

Ruth's 1921 and 1927 season were outrageous too but like Jeffy said you could only win it once back then and he won his in 1923.

I would have said Hack Wilson's 1930 season with the Cubs..

56 Homers, 191 Rbis, .356 Batting average, and 1.177 OPS, all from a guy 5'6 and 190lbs but there was no MVP award winner listed that year because the NL didn't adopt the an official MVP till 1931.

[S.P.]

Belle and Williams were both standoffish towards media, hurt them in the vote.

[sexicano31]

And Barry Bonds was a huge *******. Didn't hurt him

[nithanyo]

Jose bautista in 2010 and 2011. Delgado in 2003, possibly Wells in 2006. Just some blue jays i can rember.

[sexicano31]

There were also a few years where Utley should have won it. I think one year Utley and Wright were robbed

[Jeffy25]

Pujols 2006 > Ryan Howard 2006

[Twitchy]

This might sound funny but there was one year Derek Jeter was criminally underrated. I think it was 1999. And I'm being serious too. Rodriguez was good but I wouldn't say he was better than Jeter.

[Yankees 1903]

Lou Gehrig's 1934 season.

[Jeffy25]

This might sound funny but there was one year Derek Jeter was criminally underrated. I think it was 1999. And I'm being serious too. Rodriguez was good but I wouldn't say he was better than Jeter.

You are absolutely right.

His defense was still good, he hit amazing for a shortstop. But this was when A-Rod and Nomar were overshadowing at the position.

Jeter is a hall of famer, no question, but he was a bit under-rated his first several years.

I don't know if he should have won that MVP, but I agree with your sentiments.

A .989 OPS from a shortstop that at the time was at least average defensively is really damn good...and he was 6th in the MVP voting. He was probably the best position player in the AL that year.