MVP Profile: Joey Votto, 2010

First Baseman, Cincinnati Reds

Age:  27 (Sept. 10)

3^rd season with Reds

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 220 

Prior to 2010:

A native of Canada from Toronto, Votto was a fine all-around athlete in high school. Initially a catcher, he was chosen by the Reds directly out of high school in the second round of the 2002 amateur draft and received a $600,000 bonus to sign. Initially assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, the 18-year-old Votto batted .269 with 9 home runs and 33 RBIs in 50 games while primarily being used as a Designated Hitter and third baseman along with seven appearances behind the plate and six in the outfield. He started out in 2003 with Dayton of the Class A Midwest League but was sent down to Billings of the Pioneer League after hitting only .231 in 60 games. At Billings his production improved to .317 with a .452 on-base percentage thanks to drawing 56 walks in addition to his improved batting. Now set as a first baseman, he topped the Pioneer League first sackers with a .979 fielding percentage. With teams at the A and advanced A levels in 2004, Votto hit a combined .301 with 33 doubles, 19 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a .413 OBP, although he also struck out 131 times. He had a lesser season in 2005 with Sarasota of the advanced Class A Florida State League where he batted .257 with 17 home runs, 83 RBIs, and a .330 OBP. Votto hit well for Team Canada in the 2005 Baseball World Cup which was followed by a strong 2006 performance with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class AA Southern League where he hit .319 with 46 doubles, 22 home runs, 77 RBIs, a .409 OBP, and a .547 slugging percentage. He received Southern League MVP recognition and advanced to Louisville of the Class AAA International League in 2007. Votto batted .294 with 22 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a .381 OBP to earn a September call-up to the Reds where he hit .321 in 24 games and slugged his first four major league home runs. As Cincinnati’s starting first baseman in 2008, Votto batted .297 with 32 doubles, 24 home runs, 84 RBIs, and a .368 OBP. Along the way he hit three home runs in a game against the Cubs. He placed second in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Votto performed well again in 2009 despite spending time on the DL, hitting .322 with 25 home runs, 84 RBIs, a .414 OBP, and a .567 slugging percentage.

2010 Season Summary

Appeared in 150 games

1B – 148, PH – 3

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 648

At Bats – 547

Runs – 106 [4, tied with Jayson Werth]

Hits – 177 [6]

Doubles – 36 [14, tied with Kelly Johnson, David Wright & Adam Dunn]

Triples – 2

Home Runs – 37 [3]

RBI – 113 [3]

Bases on Balls – 91 [4, tied with Jason Heyward]

Int. BB – 8 [20, tied with five others]

Strikeouts – 125

Stolen Bases – 16

Caught Stealing – 5

Average - .324 [2]

OBP - .424 [1]

Slugging Pct. - .600 [1]

Total Bases – 328 [3]

GDP – 11

Hit by Pitches – 7

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 3

League-leading OBP was +.010 ahead of runner-up Albert Pujols

League-leading slugging percentage was +.002 ahead of runner-up Carlos Gonzalez

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 15, HR - 22, RBI - 60, AVG - .314, SLG – .589, OBP - .422

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at St. Louis 6/1, (in 6 AB) at Milwaukee 7/27, (in 7 AB) at San Francisco 8/25 – 12 innings

Longest hitting streak – 10 games

HR at home – 18

HR on road – 19

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) vs. KC Royals 6/13, (in 4 AB) at NY Mets 7/5, (in 7 AB) at San Francisco 8/25 – 12 innings

Multi-HR games – 3

Most RBIs, game – 4 at Atlanta 5/20, at San Francisco 8/25 – 12 innings

Pinch-hitting – 0 for 1 (.000) with 2 BB

Fielding

Chances – 1265

Put Outs – 1132

Assists – 128

Errors – 5

DP – 101

Pct. - .996 

Postseason: 3 G (NLDS vs. Philadelphia)

PA – 11, AB – 10, R – 0, H – 1, 2B – 0,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 1, BB – 0, IBB – 0, SO – 2, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .100, OBP - .091, SLG - .100, TB – 1, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 1

Awards & Honors:

NL MVP: BBWAA

NL Hank Aaron Award: MLB

All-Star 

Top 5 in NL MVP Voting:

Joey Votto, Cin.: 443 points - 31 of 32 first place votes, 99% share

Albert Pujols, StL: 279 points – 1 first place vote, 62% share

Carlos Gonzalez, Col.: 240 points – 54% share

Adrian Gonzalez, SD: 197 points – 44% share

Troy Tulowitzki, Col.: 132 points – 29% share

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Reds went 91-71 to finish first in the NL Central Division by 5 games over the St. Louis Cardinals while leading the league in runs scored (790), hits (1515), home runs (188), RBIs (761), batting (.272), slugging (.436) and total bases (2432). With solid hitting and a deep pitching staff, the Reds led the NL Central for 115 days and opened up an 8-game September lead before slumping briefly, but still easily winning the division. Lost NLDS to the Philadelphia Phillies, 3 games to 0 as Phillies ace Roy Halladay no-hit the Reds in Game 1.

Aftermath of 2010:

The Reds posted a losing record in 2011, but Votto batted .309 and led the NL in doubles (40), walks drawn (110), and OBP (.416), while also hitting 29 home runs with 103 RBIs and a .531 slugging percentage. He also received a Gold Glove for his defensive performance at first base. The club rewarded him with a 12-year contract extension worth $251.5 million. Votto had an outstanding first half in 2012 but in mid-July underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee which sidelined him until September. Limited to 111 games, he batted .337 with 44 doubles, 14 home runs, 56 RBIs, and a .567 slugging percentage while again leading the league in walks drawn (94) and on-base percentage (.474). Cincinnati returned to the top of the division but lost to the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS despite Votto’s seven-hit, .389 production. In 2013 he led the NL in walks drawn (135) and OBP (.435) once more while hitting .305 with 30 doubles, 24 home runs, and 73 RBIs, finishing sixth in league MVP balloting. Hindered by a knee injury in 2014, Votto was limited to 62 games and a .255 average with only 6 home runs, drawing criticism for his unwillingness to discuss his injury with the media and his sagging power production. He returned in fine form in 2015, appearing in 158 games and batting .314 with 29 home runs, 80 RBIs, a .459 OBP, and drawing a league-high 143 walks. Votto had another solid season in 2016, although Cincinnati finished in last place. He hit .326 with 29 home runs and 97 RBIs while leading the NL with a .434 OBP and came in seventh in NL MVP voting. It was more of the same in 2017, performing well with a mediocre club, and he totaled .320 with 36 home runs and 100 RBIs while topping the circuit in walks drawn (134) and OBP (.454). He finished a close second in a tight league MVP vote to Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton. Votto got off to a slow start in 2018 and got caught up in controversy with remarks he made to reporters. Later he went on the disabled list after being hit in the knee by a pitch. His power production dropped to 12 home runs and 67 RBIs while he hit .284 and once again led the NL in OBP (.417) thanks to drawing 108 walks. Votto’s performance dropped off further in 2019 to .261 with 32 doubles, 15 home runs, and 47 RBIs. His OBP of .357 was respectable but low by his previous standards. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season he batted .226 in 54 games with 11 home runs and 22 RBIs as the Reds qualified for the postseason. In the two-game Wild Card Series loss to Atlanta he managed only two hits. Despite missing 33 games due to a broken thumb in 2021, Votto hit 36 home runs with 99 RBIs while batting .266 with a .375 OBP. For his career through his first 42 games in 2022, all spent with the Reds, Votto has batted .300 with 2057 hits that include 445 doubles, 22 triples, and 336 home runs. He has scored 1130 runs and compiled 1087 RBIs, 1319 walks drawn, a .415 OBP, and a .518 slugging percentage. He has led the NL in OBP seven times, and in walks drawn five times. Appearing in 11 postseason games, he has hit .244 with one RBI. A six-time All-Star, he has placed in the top 10 in league MVP voting six times as well. Votto has also received the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete twice and the Tip O’Neill Award as the best Canadian baseball player seven times.

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MVP Profiles feature players in the National or American leagues who were winners of the Chalmers Award (1911-14), League Award (1922-29), or Baseball Writers’ Association of America Award (1931 to present) as Most Valuable Player. 

MVP Profile: Rogers Hornsby, 1929

Second Baseman, Chicago Cubs

Age:  33 (April 27)

1^st season with Cubs

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 175 

Prior to 1929:

A Texas native, Hornsby grew up in Fort Worth where he played youth baseball with a local team in his neighborhood. At 15 he joined an adult team in the Fort Worth City League. He would occasionally hire out to play for other area teams. In 1909 Hornsby entered North Side High School where he played football in addition to baseball. Tall and skinny, at this point he was more adept as a fielder than as a hitter. Following a short, failed trial with the Dallas Steers of the Texas League in 1914, Hornsby caught on with a team in Hugo, Oklahoma that was part of the Class D Texas-Oklahoma League. He played shortstop at $75 per month until the club folded after 51 games. The Denison Champions of the same circuit purchased his contract. He remained with Denison, now in the Class D Western Association, in 1915 where he batted .277. Despite committing 58 errors at shortstop, he received a late-season call-up to the Cardinals where he hit .246 in 18 games and remained error-prone in the field. After an offseason of building himself up working on his uncle’s farm, Hornsby made the Cardinals in 1916, the cocky 20-year-old impressing with his exuberant attitude and hustle. Choking up on the bat and standing deep in the batter’s box, he began hitting effectively to all fields. He split time in the field between shortstop and third base. For the year he batted .313 with 17 doubles, 15 triples, 6 home runs, and 65 RBIs. Playing exclusively at shortstop in 1917, Hornsby topped the NL with 17 triples, a .484 slugging percentage, and 253 total bases, to go along with 8 home runs, 66 RBIs, a .327 batting average, and a .385 on-base percentage. The Cards were a last-place club in 1918 and Hornsby’s performance dropped off to .281 with 19 doubles, 11 triples, 5 home runs, and 60 RBIs. Still primarily playing at shortstop, he committed 46 errors in the war-shortened 115-game season. Hornsby followed up with a better season in 1919, hitting .318 with 9 triples, 8 home runs, and 71 RBIs while splitting time at third base, shortstop, and second base. His defense remained the weakest part of his game. He was the full-time second baseman in 1920, leading the league in hits (218), doubles (44), RBIs (94), batting (.370), OBP (.431), slugging (.559), and total bases (329). He also led all NL second basemen by committing 34 errors, but his offensive production more than made up for it. 1920 marked the beginning of a stretch of six consecutive batting titles for Hornsby (.397 in 1921, .401 in 1922, .384 in 1923, .424 in 1924, and .403 in 1925). In 1921 and ’22 he also led the circuit in runs scored (131 and 141, respectively), hits (235 and 250), doubles (44 and 46), RBIs (126 and 152), and total bases (378 and 450). Hitting more for power as well as average, Hornsby led the NL with 42 home runs in 1922, the first season in which he won the Triple Crown with league-leading totals of 152 RBIs and a .401 average. Off the field, his first marriage ended in divorce amid a flurry of legal actions. In addition, he feuded with Cardinals management and was fined $500 and suspended for five games during the 1923 season. A fanatic for conditioning, he consumed red meat in copious amounts, and abstained from drinking and tobacco, refusing to attend movies because he feared they would damage his eyesight. Following the 1924 season he was rewarded with a three-year, $100,000 contract which made him one of the four highest paid players in the National and American Leagues. In 1925 he replaced manager Branch Rickey (who stayed on as general manager) following a 13-25 start. The Cardinals went 64-51 the rest of the way while player/manager Hornsby won his second Triple Crown by leading the NL with 39 home runs, 143 RBIs, and a .403 average. He also topped the circuit in OBP (.489), slugging (.756), and total bases (381). Remaining as player/manager in 1926, “the Rajah” (short for “Rajah of Swat” in contrast to contemporary Babe Ruth’s “Sultan of Swat”) guided the Cardinals to their first pennant while hindered by various injuries. He batted .317 with 11 home runs and 93 RBIs. St. Louis went on to defeat the Yankees in the World Series. Having received accolades for his performance as player/manager, Hornsby sought a major raise and angrily rejected a counteroffer from owner Sam Breadon. The result was that the Cardinals dealt the cantankerous Hornsby to the New York Giants for star second baseman Frankie Frisch. Hornsby hit well for his new club in 1927, batting .361 with 26 home runs and 125 RBIs. He also drew a league-leading 86 walks, which helped him to a NL-high .448 on-base percentage. He also clashed with manager John McGraw and owner Horace Stoneham. Hornsby enjoyed horse racing and tended to bet heavily on the horses, which got him called on the carpet by Commissioner Landis, who he dressed down for his stock market investing. Despite his solid season with the bat (he was much improved with the glove by this point as well), Hornsby was traded again, this time to the Boston Braves for 1928. The Braves were a weak team and Hornsby became player/manager during the season on his way to winning his seventh NL batting championship at .387, along with 21 home runs and 94 RBIs. In the offseason he was dealt once again, this time to the Cubs.

1929 Season Summary

Appeared in 156 games

2B – 156

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 712 [4]

At Bats – 602 [13]

Runs – 156 [1]

Hits – 229 [3]

Doubles – 47 [2, tied with Chick Hafey]

Triples – 8

Home Runs – 39 [3, tied with Hack Wilson]

RBI – 149 [3]

Bases on Balls – 87 [4]

Int. BB – 5 [7, tied with seven others]

Strikeouts – 65 [2]

Stolen Bases – 2

Caught Stealing – 0

Average - .380 [3]

OBP - .459 [2]

Slugging Pct. - .679 [1]

Total Bases – 409 [1]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 1

Sac Hits – 22 [5, tied with four others]

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading runs scored were +4 ahead of runner-up Lefty O’Doul

League-leading slugging pct was +.022 ahead of runner-up Chuck Klein

League-leading total bases were +4 ahead of runner-up Chuck Klein

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 18, HR - 16, RBI - 66, AVG - .354., SLG - .616, OBP – .453

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Most hits, game – 4 on six occasions

Longest hitting streak – 18 games

HR at home – 23

HR on road – 16

Most home runs, game – 1 on 39 occasions

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Pittsburgh 4/17, vs. Phila. Phillies 6/15 – 10 innings, vs. St. Louis Cards 9/2, vs. Bos. Braves 9/8

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 856

Put Outs – 286

Assists – 547

Errors – 23

DP – 106

Pct. - .973

Postseason: 5 G (World Series vs. Phila. A’s)

PA – 22, AB – 21, R – 4, H – 5, 2B – 1, 3B – 1, HR – 0, RBI – 1, BB – 1, IBB – 0, SO – 8, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .238, OBP - .273, SLG - .381, TB – 8, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – N/A

Awards & Honors:

NL MVP: League Award 

Top 5 in NL MVP Voting:

Rogers Hornsby, ChiC.: 60 points - 75% share

Lefty O’Doul, PhilaP: 54 points – 68% share

Bill Terry, NYG: 48 points – 60% share

Burleigh Grimes, Pitt.: 35 points – 44% share

Lloyd Waner, Pitt.: 30 points – 38% share

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Cubs went 98-54 to win the NL pennant by 10.5 games over the Pittsburgh Pirates while leading the league in runs scored (982), doubles (310, tied with the Cardinals), RBIs (933), walks drawn (589), and batter strikeouts (567). With their strong group of righthanded hitters (including Hornsby), the Cubs went 35-23 from August 1 to season’s end to easily outdistance the Pirates. Lost World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics, 4 games to 1, highlighted by little-used veteran Philadelphia RHP Howard Ehmke’s 13-strikeout win in Game 1 and Philadelphia’s 10-run seventh inning rally in Game 4 that overcame an 8-0 Cub lead, to take command of the Series.

Aftermath of ‘29:

Following surgery to remove bone spurs from his heel in the offseason, Hornsby had difficulty in 1930, further exacerbated by a broken ankle, and ended up appearing in only 42 games in which he batted .308 with just eight extra base hits. He played in 100 games in 1931 and hit .331 with 16 home runs and 90 RBIs. Hornsby was named player/manager of the Cubs for 1932 and clashed with many of his best players prior to being fired with the club in second place, just five games off the lead. He had played in 19 games during the season which ended with the Cubs winning the pennant under the direction of Hornsby’s successor, Charlie Grimm, a far more genial person (the Cubs lost the World Series and refused to vote Hornsby a share of their World Series money). The 37-year-old Hornsby found himself back with the Cardinals in 1933, where he appeared in 46 games, primarily as a pinch-hitter, and hit .325 while dealing with foot and leg injuries prior to being waived at midseason. Picked up by the AL’s St. Louis Browns he was made manager and played minimally the rest of the way. Hornsby remained as manager of the Browns until 1937, playing occasionally until the conclusion of his managerial tenure. For his major league career, he batted .358 with 2930 hits that included 541 doubles, 169 triples, and 301 home runs. Hornsby further scored 1579 runs and compiled 1584 RBIs, 135 stolen bases, and drew 1038 walks, ending up with a .434 OBP. With the Cardinals he batted .359 with 1089 runs scored, 2110 hits, 367 doubles, 143 triples, 193 home runs, 1072 RBIs, 118 stolen bases, 660 walks drawn, and a .427 OBP. He won seven batting titles, two Triple Crowns, and was a two-time league MVP. Appearing in 12 World Series games, “the Rajah” hit .245 with 5 RBIs. Hornsby was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1942. He coached and managed with minor league teams after leaving the Browns and operated a baseball school in Arkansas. He also became a major league hitting instructor prior to returning to the Browns as manager in 1952, a stint that lasted only 51 games. Hired to manage the seventh-place Cincinnati Reds a few weeks later, he became mired in controversy as well as losing in his last managerial position. Hornsby remained an irascible presence in the baseball world until his death in 1963 at age 66. Often considered the greatest righthanded hitter in baseball history, he had difficulty dealing with teammates, managers, owners, and even the commissioner of baseball. His major league managerial record was only 701-812, despite the one World Series title-winning year with the Cardinals.

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MVP Profiles feature players in the National or American leagues who were winners of the Chalmers Award (1911-14), League Award (1922-29), or Baseball Writers’ Association of America Award (1931 to present) as Most Valuable Player. 

Rookie of the Year: Dustin Pedroia, 2007

Second Baseman, Boston Red Sox

Age:  24 (Aug. 17)

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 170 

Prior to 2007:

A native of Woodland, California, Pedroia played Little League baseball, where he pitched and played shortstop. Small but a tough competitor (which would prove to be lasting traits), he also played quarterback on his high school football team until suffering a broken ankle. As a freshman at Arizona State in 2002, he batted .347 and in 2003 he led the Pacific-10 Conference in runs scored (83), hits (120), and doubles (34). He was selected as a second-team All-American by Baseball America. Pedroia also played in the Pan American Games with Team USA. After hitting .394 with ASU in 2004, he was selected by the Red Sox in the amateur draft and signed for a $575,000 bonus. Splitting time in 2004 with Class A Augusta and advanced Class A Sarasota he batted a combined .357 in 42 games. In 2005 he played for the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class AA Eastern League and the Pawtucket Red Sox of the Class AAA International League and hit a combined .294 with 28 doubles, 13 home runs, and 64 RBIs along with a .385 on-base percentage. Furthermore, he was rated as the best defensive second baseman in the Eastern League by Baseball America. Pedroia was also named to the International League All-Star team as a utility player (he appeared at second and third base as well as shortstop for Pawtucket). With Pawtucket in 2006, he batted .305 in 111 games and received a late-callup to Boston. Appearing in 31 games, mostly at second base, he batted just .191 with two home runs and 7 RBIs. Impressed with his progress through the minor leagues and his excellent batting discipline as well as defensive skill, the Red Sox projected Pedroia to be the starting second baseman in 2007.

2007 Season Summary

Appeared in 139 games

2B – 137, PH – 3, DH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 581

At Bats – 520

Runs – 86

Hits – 165

Doubles – 39 [14, tied with Derek Jeter]

Triples – 1

Home Runs – 8

RBI – 50

Bases on Balls – 47

Int. BB – 1

Strikeouts – 42

Stolen Bases – 7

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .317 [10]

OBP - .380

Slugging Pct. - .442

Total Bases – 230

GDP – 8

Hit By Pitches – 7

Sac Hits – 5

Sac Flies – 2

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 21, HR – 3, RBI – 25, AVG - .318, OBP - .400

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 5 AB) vs. San Francisco 6/15

Longest hitting streak – 14 games

Most HR, game – 1 on eight occasions

HR at home – 5

HR on road – 3

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. San Francisco 6/15

Pinch-hitting – 1 for 3 (.333) with 1 2B & 1 RBI

 Fielding

Chances – 625

Put Outs – 259

Assists – 360

Errors – 6

DP - 78

Pct. - .990

Postseason Batting: 14 G (ALDS vs. LA Angels – 3 G; ALCS vs. Cleveland – 7 G; World Series vs. Colorado – 4 G)

PA – 67, AB – 60, R – 12, H – 17, 2B – 6,3B – 0, HR – 2, RBI – 10, BB – 6, IBB – 0, SO – 7, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .283, OBP - .349, SLG - .483, TB – 29, GDP – 2, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

AL Rookie of the Year: BBWAA

AL ROY Voting (Top 5):

Dustin Pedroia, Bos.: 132 points – 24 of 28 first place votes, 94% share

Delmon Young, TB: 56 points – 3 first place votes, 40% share

Brian Bannister, KCR: 36 points – 1 first place vote, 26% share

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bos.: 12 points – 9% share

Reggie Willits, LAA: 11 points – 8% share 

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Red Sox went 96-66 to finish first in the AL Eastern Division by 2 games over the New York Yankees, while leading the league in doubles (352, tied with Detroit) & walks drawn (689). The steady Red Sox took over first place in the AL East in mid-April and held it until season’s end. Won ALDS over the Los Angeles Angels, 3 games to 0. Won ALCS over the Cleveland Indians, 4 games to 3, overcoming a 3-games to 1 deficit as RHP Josh Beckett outpitched Cleveland’s C.C. Sabathia in Game 5 on the road to change the momentum, and Pedroia capped the Game 7 finale with a 5-RBI performance. Won World Series over the Colorado Rockies, 4 games to 0, with Pedroia’s Game 1 lead-off home run in the bottom of the first inning in Game 1 at Fenway Park setting the tone.

Aftermath of ‘07:

Pedroia followed up with an MVP season in 2008 in which he batted .326 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs while leading the American League in runs scored (118), hits (213), and doubles (54) while compiling a .376 OBP and .493 slugging percentage. He was an All-Star for the first time and furthermore received a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. Pedroia again topped the AL in runs scored in 2009 with 115 while hitting .296 with a .371 OBP, 185 hits, 15 home runs, 72 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. The feisty and outspoken Pedroia was performing well again in 2010 until suffering a broken bone in his foot. Limited to 75 games he ended up batting .288 with 12 home runs (including three in one game at Colorado, 41 RBIs, 9 stolen bases in 10 attempts, and a .367 OBP. Pedroia came back strong in 2011, hitting .307 with a .387 OBP, 21 home runs, 91 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. Clearly established as a team leader, he won a second Gold Glove and placed ninth in league MVP voting. Along the way he put together a 25-game July hitting streak. Having suffered a major collapse to conclude the 2011 season, the Red Sox went through a 93-loss 2012 campaign. Pedroia hit .290 with a .347 OBP,15 home runs, and 65 RBIs and finished the season playing with a broken finger. Boston returned to the top of the AL East and won the World Series in 2013 and Pedroia, playing with a thumb injury that required surgery was signed to an eight-year, $110 million contract extension during a season in which he batted .301 with 42 doubles, 9 home runs, 84 RBIs, 193 hits, and a .372 OBP. He tied for seventh in league MVP balloting as well as being an All-Star and Gold Glove recipient. He added two home runs and 10 RBIs during the postseason run to a championship. Boston suffered through a down year in 2014 and Pedroia, dealing with hand and wrist injuries that shortened his season, hit .278 with 33 doubles, 7 home runs, 53 RBIs, and a .337 OBP. In an injury-riddled 2015 season, he was limited to 93 games and finished with a .291 average, 12 home runs, and 42 RBIs. Staying in good health in 2016, he batted .318 with 36 doubles, 15 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .376 on-base percentage. Injuries ate away at Pedroia’s playing time in 2017, and while still effective when healthy, he was limited to 105 games and hit .293. Following knee surgery, he played in only three games in 2018. Continuing knee problems that required further surgery held him to six games with the Red Sox in 2019. He did not return during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and retired afterward. For his major league career, spent entirely with the Red Sox, Pedroia batted .299 with 1805 hits that included 394 doubles, 15 triples, and 140 home runs. He scored 922 runs and compiled 725 RBIs, 138 stolen bases, and a .365 OBP. He appeared in 51 postseason games and hit .233 with 5 home runs and 25 RBIs. A four-time All-Star, he finished in the top 10 in league MVP voting three times, winning the award once. Pedroia also received four Gold Gloves for his play at second base and one Silver Slugger. A solid player whose major league career got off to an outstanding beginning, injuries ultimately derailed him.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were recipients of the Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1947 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1948 and from 1949 on to one recipient from each major league.  

Cy Young Profile: Jim Palmer, 1976

Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles

Age:  30

11^th season with Orioles

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 190 

Prior to 1976:

A native of New York City, Palmer was adopted and originally named James Alvin Wiesen. Upon his father’s death the family moved to California and he was adopted by his mother’s second husband, whose last name was Palmer. Now Jim Palmer, he played Little League, Pony League, and Babe Ruth League baseball as a youth. The family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona where Palmer attended high school and played football and basketball as well as baseball, where he pitched and appeared in center field. While playing summer ball in South Dakota following his high school graduation, Palmer drew the interest of the Orioles, who signed him to a $50,000 contract. He had already suffered a knee injury in a car accident that required surgery. Assigned to Aberdeen of the Class A Northern League in 1964, Palmer started 19 games and posted an 11-3 record with a 2.51 ERA and 107 strikeouts, although he had problems with his control, as he issued 130 walks over 129 innings. But still he pitched a no-hitter and, after a winter stint in the Florida Instructional League, Palmer advanced to the Orioles in 1965. Utilized as a reliever and spot starter, he appeared in 27 games (6 of them starts) and went 5-4 with a 3.72 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 92 innings, while walking 56 batters. Palmer moved into the starting rotation in 1966 and contributed a 15-10 record to Baltimore’s pennant-winning season, along with a 3.46 ERA and 147 strikeouts. He also acquired the nickname “Cakes” as the result of his habit of eating pancakes on the mornings of his starts. The Orioles swept the Dodgers in the World Series and the 20-year-old out-dueled LA’s star LHP Sandy Koufax in Game 2 for a complete game shutout. Palmer started the 1967 season well at 2-1, including a one-hit shutout of the Yankees, until arm trouble reduced his effectiveness and resulted in his being sent down to the minors for most of the season, returning to the Orioles in September. He finished with a 3-1 major league tally and a 2.94 ERA over 49 innings. With continued arm soreness, Palmer spent all of 1968 in the minors, appearing with three different teams with poor results. The Orioles expected him to pitch through the pain and during a winter stint in Puerto Rico the soreness disappeared. He regained his spot in the Baltimore rotation in 1969 and was 16-4, despite missing time due to a back injury, with a 2.34 ERA and a no-hitter against Oakland. In the first year of divisional play in major league baseball, the Orioles topped the new AL East and Palmer beat the Minnesota Twins in the third, and final, game of the ALCS. In the World Series he lost his only start against the New York Mets, who upset Baltimore in five games. The Orioles had three 20-game winners in 1970, with Palmer (20-10) joining lefthanders Mike Cuellar (24-8) and Dave McNally (24-9) as Baltimore again finished first in the AL East. Palmer also led the AL with 305 innings pitched. He and the team had better luck in the postseason, again sweeping the Twins as Palmer again won the deciding contest, and this time the Orioles won the World Series against Cincinnati, and Palmer won the opener and was pulled from Game 4 with a lead that reliever Eddie Watt couldn’t hold, which led to the only win for the Reds. The Orioles had an unprecedented four 20-game winners in 1971 on the way to a third straight AL pennant. Newly-acquired RHP Pat Dobson (20-8) joined Palmer (20-9), Cuellar (20-9), and McNally (21-5). Palmer battled shoulder stiffness along the way to 20 complete games and 282 innings pitched with a 2.68 ERA and 184 strikeouts. He was 2-0 in the postseason that resulted in a World Series loss to Pittsburgh. The Orioles dropped to third place in 1972, but Palmer had a third consecutive All-Star season on his way to a 21-10 record with a 2.07 ERA and 184 strikeouts. With an outstanding high fastball as his best pitch, Palmer also had command of a slow curve and slider. He also had an occasionally tempestuous relationship with manager Earl Weaver, who appreciated his righthanded ace’s talent if not always his baseball opinions. Baltimore returned to the top of the AL East in 1973 and Palmer contributed a 22-9 record with a league-leading 2.40 ERA and 158 strikeouts and received his first AL Cy Young Award. He pitched a five-hit shutout against Oakland in the ALCS, which the A’s ultimately won. Following four consecutive 20-win seasons capped by a Cy Young Award-winning effort in 1973, Palmer had an off-year in 1974 while hindered by arm soreness. His record dropped to 7-12 although his ERA was still respectable at 3.27. He returned to form in 1975 by posting a 23-11 mark with a league-leading 2.09 ERA and 10 shutouts among his 25 complete games. He received his second AL Cy Young Award as a result.

1976 Season Summary

Appeared in 40 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 40

Games Started – 40 [1]

Complete Games – 23 [2, tied with Frank Tanana]

Wins – 22 [1]

Losses – 13 [15, tied with Vida Blue, Eduardo Rodriguez & Mike Cuellar]

PCT - .629 [11]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 6 [2, tied with Vida Blue & Bert Blyleven]

Innings Pitched – 315 [1]

Hits – 255 [7]

Runs – 101 [15, tied with Ed Figueroa]

Earned Runs – 88 [17, tied with Rick Wise]

Home Runs – 20 [5, tied with Jim Colborn & Ferguson Jenkins]

Bases on Balls – 84 [9]

Strikeouts – 159 [7]

ERA – 2.51 [5]

Hit Batters – 8 [7, tied with Bill Travers, Jim Hughes & Jim Willoughby]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 5

League-leading games started were +1 ahead of runners-up Nolan Ryan & Mike Torrez

League-leading wins were +1 ahead of runner-up Luis Tiant

League-leading innings pitched were +16.2 ahead of runner-up Jim Hunter

Midseason Snapshot: 11-8, ERA - 3.00, SO - 88 in 174 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 11 (in 9 IP) at Texas 6/19

10+ strikeout games – 2

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 1 (in 9 IP) vs. Minnesota 8/10

Fielding

Chances – 77

Put Outs – 27

Assists – 49

Errors – 1

DP – 2

Pct. - .987

 

Awards & Honors:

AL Cy Young Award: BBWAA

AL Pitcher of the Year: Sporting News

Gold Glove

10^th in AL MVP voting (47 points, 14% share)

AL Cy Young voting (Top 5):

Jim Palmer, Balt.: 108 points – 19 of 24 first place votes, 90% share

Mark Fidrych, Det.: 51 points – 5 first place votes, 43% share

Frank Tanana, Cal.: 18 points – 15% share

Ed Figueroa, NYY.: 12 points – 10% share

Luis Tiant, Bos.: 10 points – 8% share

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Orioles went 88-74 to finish second in the AL Eastern Division, 10.5 games behind the division-winning New York Yankees. Starting off slowly, the Orioles were 40-42 in the season’s first half. A second-half surge capped by a 20-13 record after September 1 was not enough to contend but allowed for a second-place finish.

Aftermath of ‘76:

Palmer was the Cy Young runner-up in 1977 when he went 20-11 with a 2.91 ERA and 22 complete games and 319 innings pitched, which were both AL-leading figures. Palmer topped the American League in innings pitched for the third straight year with 296 in 1978, on his way to a 21-12 record with a 2.46 ERA. Twice on the disabled list with a sore arm in 1979, he finished at 10-6 with a 3.30 ERA as the Orioles topped the AL East for the first time since 1974. He was 0-1 in the postseason which ended in a World Series loss to Pittsburgh. Palmer had a solid 1980 season, compiling a 16-10 record with a 3.98 ERA. He dipped to a 7-8 tally in strike-interrupted 1981. Following a slow start in 1982, Palmer was briefly exiled to the bullpen but recovered to end up at 15-5 with a 3.13 ERA. He went 5-4 in an injury-plagued 1983 season which concluded with a World Series win in a relief appearance which gave him World Series wins in three different decades. Still, the end was near as Palmer was released by the Orioles during the 1984 season following an 0-3 start. For his major league career, spent entirely with the Orioles, Palmer produced a 268-152 record that included eight 20-win seasons and two ERA titles. His ERA was 2.86 and he compiled 211 complete games that included 53 shutouts. He also struck out 2212 batters over the course of 3948 innings. In addition to three Cy Young Awards, he was a six-time All-Star who received four Gold Gloves for his fielding prowess as well. Pitching in 17 postseason games, he was 8-3 with a 2.61 ERA and 90 strikeouts. Palmer attempted a comeback with Baltimore in 1991 that ended during spring training. Following his playing career, the intelligent and articulate Palmer went into broadcasting, which he had first involved himself with while still a player, as well as being a model in underwear ads. The Orioles retired his #22 and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

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Cy Young Profiles feature pitchers who were recipients of the Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1956 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1966 and from 1967 on to one recipient from each major league.   

Rookie of the Year: Craig Kimbrel, 2011

Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

Age:  23 (May 28)

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 215

Prior to 2011:

A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Kimbrel played quarterback with his high school’s football team as well as baseball. Moving on to Wallace State Community College, he was utilized as a bullpen closer and spot starter and posted an 8-0 record as a freshman in 2007. Primarily a reliever in 2008, he went 9-3 with a 2.88 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched. Selected by the Braves in the 33^rd round of the 2008 amateur draft, Kimbrel signed for a $391,000 bonus. With three minor league teams in ’08 he appeared in a total of 24 games and compiled a 3-2 tally with 10 saves, an 0.51 ERA, and 56 strikeouts in 35.1 innings, displaying an impressive explosive fastball. With four teams from Class A to AAA in 2009, Kimbrel pitched in 49 games and went 2-3 with 18 saves, a 2.85 ERA, and 103 strikeouts in 60 innings. On the downside he gave up 45 walks and threw 10 wild pitches as he had difficulty with his control. Pitching in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Saguaros he struck out 18 batters in 10.1 innings but also walked 16 batters on his way to a 10.45 ERA. Opening 2010 with Gwinnett of the Class AAA International League, Kimbrel was pitching effectively with 6 saves in the first 11 games along with a 1.20 ERA and 21 strikeouts when he was called up to the Braves due to an injury opening on the pitching staff. Making 21 major league appearances he recorded four wins and a save as well as producing a 0.44 ERA with 40 strikeouts (of 88 batters faced) in 20.2 innings pitched. He also appeared in four postseason games during the NLDS vs. the San Francisco Giants where he was charged with a loss. He entered 2011 as Atlanta’s bullpen closer.

2011 Season Summary

Appeared in 79 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 79 [2, tied with Bill Bray & Jose Veras]

Games Started – 0

Games Finished - 64

Complete Games – 0

Wins – 4

Losses – 3

PCT - .571 [Non-qualifying]

Saves – 46 [1, tied with John Axford]

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 77

Hits – 48

Runs – 19

Earned Runs – 18

Home Runs – 3

Bases on Balls – 32

Strikeouts – 127

ERA – 2.10 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 1

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 4

League-leading games finished were +1ahead of runners-up John Axford & Francisco Cordero

Most strikeouts, game – 4 (in 2 IP) at LA Dodgers 4/21

 

Midseason Snapshot: G – 47, 2-2, ERA - 2.35, SV – 28, SO - 70 in 46 IP

 

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Fielding

Chances – 11

Put Outs – 4

Assists – 7

Errors – 0

DP – 0

Pct. - 1.000

Awards & Honors:

NL Rookie of the Year: BBWAA

All-Star

23^rd in NL MVP voting, tied with Starlin Castro, ChiC., Carlos Ruiz, Phila. & Giancarlo Stanton, Fla. (1 point, 0% share)

9^th in NL Cy Young voting, tied with John Axford, Mil. (2 points, 1% share)

NL ROY Voting (Top 5):

Craig Kimbrel, Atl.: 160 points – 32 of 32 first place votes, 100% share

Freddie Freeman, Atl.: 70 points – 44% share

Vance Worley, Phila.: 40 points –  25% share

Wilson Ramos, Wash.: 6 points – 4% share

Josh Collmenter, Ariz.: 5 points – 3% share

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Braves went 89-73 to finish second in the NL Eastern Division, 13 games behind the division-winning Philadelphia Phillies. Lifted by the arrival of rookies Kimbrel and first baseman Freddie Freeman, the Braves appeared headed for a wild card playoff berth, entering September with an 8.5-game lead in the NL wild card race before losing 18 of their last 26 games to finish behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the wild card standings.

Aftermath of ‘11:

In 2012 Kimbrel followed up on his excellent rookie season by again co-leading the NL in saves with 42 to go along with a 1.01 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 62.2 innings. With his excellent four-seam fastball and power curve, 2013 proved to be another outstanding season for Kimbrel as he topped the NL with 50 saves while recording a 1.21 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. The Braves signed him to a four-year contract extension for $42 million in 2014 and he went on to lead the NL in saves once again with 47 while striking out 95 batters in 61.2 innings and compiling a 1.61 ERA. In addition to being an All-Star for the fourth consecutive year, he received the Trevor Hoffman Award as the NL’s best relief pitcher. Just prior to the 2015 season, the Braves traded Kimbrel to San Diego along with disappointing outfielder Melvin Upton. His first blown save with the Padres, following nine saves in succession for his new club, ended a streak of 35 straight saves with no failures. He ended up having a relative down year with the disappointing Padres, going 4-2 with 39 saves in 61 appearances, along with a 2.58 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 59.1 innings. In the offseason he was dealt again for prospects to the Boston Red Sox. Kimbrel had a strong first half with the Red Sox in 2016, recording 17 saves and earning another All-Star selection. A knee injury that required surgery knocked him out of action for several weeks and he finished with 57 total appearances and 31 saves in 33 appearances along with a 3.40 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 53 innings. In 2017 he followed up with a 5-0 record and 35 saves in 67 appearances, along with a 1.43 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 69 innings. He received the Mariano Rivera Award as the American League’s top reliever in addition to his sixth All-Star selection. Along the way he also pitched an immaculate inning, with three strikeouts on the minimum nine pitches in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2018, and during the season Kimbrel contributed a 5-1 tally and 42 saves along with a 2.74 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 62.1 innings. He struggled in the ALDS against the Yankees, recorded 3 saves in the ALCS win over Houston, and picked up a save in four appearances in the World Series against the Dodgers. A free agent in the offseason, Kimbrel eventually signed with the Chicago Cubs for three years and $43 million. Struggling with knee inflammation that caused him to struggle down the stretch, he appeared in only 23 games in 2019 and produced an 0-4 mark with 13 saves and a 6.53 ERA. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Kimbrel got off to a poor start before improving his performance enough to appear in 18 games and record two saves with a 5.28 ERA. In 2021 he returned to outstanding form and was 2-3 with 23 saves and a 0.49 ERA for the Cubs and closed out a combined no-hitter in June against the Dodgers. With the Cubs unloading players prior to the trade deadline, Kimbrel was dealt across town to the White Sox who utilized him as a setup man. His performance dropped off and he finished up by appearing in a combined 63 games and going 4-5 with 24 saves, a 2.26 ERA, and 100 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched. With his role uncertain entering 2022, he was traded once again to the Los Angeles Dodgers where he regained the role of bullpen closer. For his career through his first 13 appearances in 2022 for the Dodgers, Kimbrel has compiled a 35-29 record and 381 saves while pitching in 659 games, along with a 2.19 ERA and 1043 strikeouts in 640.1 innings pitched. With the Braves he was 15-10 with 186 saves, a 1.43 ERA, and 476 strikeouts in 289 innings. Appearing in 23 postseason games, his record is 0-1 with 7 saves, a 4.13 ERA, and 27 strikeouts in 24 innings. He has been an eight-time All-Star (four with Atlanta) and has led the NL in saves four times.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were recipients of the Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1947 to present). The award was presented to a single major league winner from its inception through 1948 and from 1949 on to one recipient from each major league.  

 

 

  

  

MVP Profile: Willie McCovey, 1969

First Baseman, San Francisco Giants

Age:  31

11^th season with Giants

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 198 

Prior to 1969:

A native of Mobile, Alabama McCovey played baseball, softball, basketball, and football in his youth. Quitting high school in 1954 to help with the family finances, he moved to Los Angeles to stay with his brother. Contacted by the Giants, the 17-year-old McCovey attended a tryout camp in Florida. Tall and thin, he signed for $175 per month and reported to Sandersville of the Class D Georgia State League in 1955 where he batted .305 with 19 home runs and 113 RBIs. Advancing to Danville of the Class B Carolina League in 1956, McCovey hit .310 with 29 home runs. His next stop was Dallas of the Class AA Texas League in 1957 where he batted .281 with 21 doubles, 9 triples, 11 home runs and 65 RBIs. He spent 1958 with Phoenix of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and hit .319 with 37 doubles, 10 triples, 14 home runs and 89 RBIs while dealing with an injured knee. McCovey started the 1959 season with Phoenix and was batting .372 with 29 home runs and 92 RBIs after 95 games before being called up to the Giants in late July where he shunted the previous NL Rookie of the Year, Orlando Cepeda, to the outfield while he handled first base. The result was Rookie of the Year recognition for McCovey, who batted .354 in 52 games with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs along with a .656 slugging percentage and .429 OBP. McCovey started well in 1960 with 7 home runs in the first 15 games, but his hitting dropped off significantly thereafter and he was batting .244 in July when he was briefly sent down to Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League. Upon his return to the Giants, he continued to have difficulty at bat as well as defensively at first base and finished up at .238 with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs. Alternating at first base with Orlando Cepeda in 1961, McCovey hit .271 with 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. Typically sitting against lefthanders in 1962, he put in some time in the outfield and in a pennant-winning year for the Giants he batted .293 in 91 games with 20 home runs and 54 RBIs. He made the final out in the seven-game World Series loss to the Yankees. In 1963, manager Alvin Dark chose to keep McCovey’s bat in the lineup as much as possible, which meant playing out of position in left field most of the time and going with Cepeda at first. The result was McCovey’s first All-Star season in which he batted .280 and tied for the league lead in home runs with 44 while also contributing 102 RBIs. The lanky player known as “Stretch” had a lesser season in 1964, hitting .220 with 18 home runs and 54 RBIs while dealing with an injury to his left foot. With Cepeda sidelined by a knee injury in 1965, McCovey returned to first base and batted .276 with 39 home runs and 92 RBIs. Cepeda was dealt to St. Louis early during the 1966 season and, firmly set at first base, McCovey hit .295 with 36 home runs and 96 RBIs. Quiet and humble, he was hindered by knee problems in 1967 and batted .276 with 31 home runs and 91 RBIs. In 1968 “Stretch” topped the NL with 36 home runs, 105 RBIs, and a .545 slugging percentage while also compiling a .293 average.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in 149 games

1B – 148, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 623

At Bats – 491

Runs – 101 [9]

Hits – 157

Doubles – 26 [17, tied with Rusty Staub, Curt Blefary & Gary Sutherland]

Triples – 2

Home Runs – 45 [1]

RBI – 126 [1]

Bases on Balls – 121 [2]

Int. BB – 45 [1]

Strikeouts – 66

Stolen Bases – 0

Caught Stealing – 0

Average - .320 [5]

OBP - .453 [1]

Slugging Pct. - .656 [1]

Total Bases – 322 [3]

GDP – 11

Hit By Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 7 [6, tied with four others]

League-leading home runs were +1 ahead of runner-up Hank Aaron

League-leading RBIs were +3 ahead of runner-up Ron Santo

League-leading int. bases on balls drawn were +26 ahead of runner-up Hank Aaron

League-leading OBP was +.017 ahead of runner-up Jim Wynn

League-leading slugging percentage was +.049 ahead of runner-up Hank Aaron

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 19, HR - 30, RBI - 79, AVG - .325, SLG - .710, OBP – .448

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) vs. LA Dodgers 9/21 – 10 innings

Longest hitting streak – 16 games

Most HR, game – 2 on five occasions

HR at home – 22

HR on road – 23

Multi-HR games – 5

Most RBIs, game – 6 at Cincinnati 6/28, vs. Philadelphia 8/26

Pinch-hitting – 0 for 1 (.000)

Fielding

Chances – 1483

Put Outs – 1392

Assists – 79

Errors – 12

DP – 116

Pct. - .992 

Awards & Honors:

NL MVP: BBWAA

MLB Player of the Year: Sporting News

All-Star (Started for NL at 1B)

 

Top 5 in NL MVP Voting:

Willie McCovey, SF: 265 points – 11 of 24 first place votes, 79% share

Tom Seaver, NYM.: 243 points – 11 first place votes, 72% share

Hank Aaron, Atl.: 188 points – 2 first place votes, 56% share

Pete Rose, Cin.: 127 points – 38% share

Ron Santo, ChiC.: 124 points – 37% share

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Giants went 90-72 to finish second in the new NL Western Division, 3 games behind the division-winning Atlanta Braves, while leading the league in walks drawn (711). Under the guidance of new manager Clyde King in the first year of divisional play, the Giants were in and out of first place after August 5 until two straight late-September losses at San Diego dropped them into second to stay. McCovey was the club’s batting star despite being hindered by several injuries.

Aftermath of ‘69:

McCovey had another strong season in 1970, batting .289 with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs while topping the NL in slugging (.612), walks drawn (137), and intentional walks drawn (40). He placed ninth in league MVP voting. Playing with a severe knee injury in 1971, McCovey was limited to 105 games and hit .277 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs. Suffering a broken arm in the fourth game of 1972, he missed two months of action and had difficulty upon his return, ending up with a .213 average, 14 home runs, and 35 RBIs in 81 games. Hindered by arthritic knees, “Stretch” appeared in 130 games in 1973, 13 as a pinch-hitter, and batted .266 with 29 home runs and 75 RBIs. With the Giants shedding older, high-priced players, McCovey was traded to the San Diego Padres in the offseason. Taking on a leadership role with the lowly Padres in 1974, he hit .253 with 22 home runs and 63 RBIs, while struggling in the field. The production was similar in 1975, with 23 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .252 batting average. At age 38 in 1976, the physical struggles were more challenging, and McCovey lost his starting job at first base to young Mike Ivie. He was batting .203 with 7 home runs and 36 RBIs when he was sold to the Oakland Athletics at the end of August. His performance was no stronger in the season’s final month. He returned to the Giants as a free agent in 1977 and enjoyed a resurgence, hitting .280 with 28 home runs and 86 RBIs. McCovey spent two more seasons with the Giants, with playing time steadily decreasing until his retirement in 1980 at age 42. For his major league career, he batted .270 with 2211 hits that included 353 doubles, 46 triples, and 521 home runs. He scored 1229 runs and compiled 1555 RBIs, 1345 walks, a .374 on-base percentage, and a .515 slugging percentage. With the Giants the totals were .274, with 1113 runs scored, 1974 hits, 308 doubles, 45 triples, 469 home runs, 1388 RBIs, 1168 walks drawn, a .377 OBP, and a .524 slugging percentage. Appearing in eight postseason games, McCovey hit .310 with three home runs and 7 RBIs. A six-time All-Star, the Giants retired his #44 and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. The inlet beyond the right field fence at Oracle Park has been named McCovey Cove in his honor and a statue of the slugger was placed at the entrance to the cove. The Giants have presented the Willie Mac Award annually to the player who best exemplifies McCovey’s leadership and inspirational value to the club. He died in 2018 at the age of 80.

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MVP Profiles feature players in the National or American leagues who were winners of the Chalmers Award (1911-14), League Award (1922-29), or Baseball Writers’ Association of America Award (1931 to present) as Most Valuable Player.