A’s southpaw Lefty Grove, capturing 98% share of the vote, is named the American League’s MVP

On October 29, 1931 – Lefty Grove, winner of 31 games for the Philadelphia Athletics, is named American League MVP. Grove led the league in strikeouts for the seventh straight season and topped all pitchers in winning percentage, ERA and complete games.

Grove, capturing 98% share of the vote, easily outpacing runner-ups Lou Gehrig and Al Simmons. The future Hall of Famer left-hander posted a 31-4 (.886) record topped all pitchers in winning percentage while compiling a league-leading ERA of 2.08 for first-place Philadelphia and he led the league in strikeouts for the seventh straight time.

The old argument has come up again as to whether Al Simmons, the batting champion or Lefty Grove, the prince of pitchers, was more valuable to the Athletics during the 1931 season Its a delicate choice There can be no dissent from the all-around value of an outfielder such as Simmons, who hit .390 in 128 games.

Neither can anyone refute the importance to any team of a two-trier able to turn In 31 victories against only four defeats. When American league managers were polled on the subject during the playing campaign, the majority selected Simmons also Cochrane, In preference to Grove as Mr Macks’s most valuable athlete. The 68-year-old pilot himself put Harry Aloyslus No 1. The only manager who named Grove the most valuable was Walter Johnson, who had the honor twice himself In 1913 and 1924. Perhaps this was just the natural partiality of one great pitcher for another

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