Sandy Koufax, who unanimously won the Cy Young Award six days ago, is also named the National League’s MVP. The Dodger southpaw, who compiled a 25-5 record along with a 1.88 ERA, out points Cardinals’ infielder Dick Groat, 237-190.
1962 – Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills, whose 104 stolen bases broke a major league season-record set by Ty Cobb, wins the NL Most Valuable Player Award. In a controversial vote, Wills beats out teammate Tommy Davis, who led the NL with a .346 batting average and 153 RBI.
On November 22, 1961, Frank Robinson of the Cincinnati Reds is a near-unanimous selection as MVP. Robinson, who receives 219 out of a possible 224 points, becomes the first Red to win the MVP in 21 years.
Dick Groat, the Pirates 30 year-old shortstop who led the league with a .325 average, is selected as the National League’s Most Valuable Player, with Don Hoak, his partner on the left side of the Bucs’ infield, being the runner-up to the award. Another teammate, right-fielder Roberto Clemente, who will cop the award in 1966, is very disappointed with being named eighth on the ballot.
1960 – National League batting champion Dick Groat is named league Most Valuable Player, outpolling Pirates teammate Don Hoak, 276-162.
1959 – Ernie Banks wins his second National League MVP Award in a row on the strength of his 45 home runs and 143 RBI for the Chicago Cubs. Eddie Mathews finishes second.
1958 – The Baseball Writers Association of America names Chicago Cubs slugger Ernie Banks as the National League Most Valuable Player. Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants is the runner-up.
The BBWAA selects Hank Aaron as the National League’s Most Valuable Player. The Milwaukee Braves outfielder, with 239 points from the writers, narrowly edges out Stan Musial and his Cardinal former teammate, Giants infielder Red Schoendienst, who collect 230 and 221, respectively.
1956 – Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe wins the National League MVP; in a few days, he will become the first-ever Cy Young Award winner.
Willie Mays becomes the first player to win the Most Valuable Player Award in his first full year in the majors when he easily outdistances Reds first baseman Ted Kluszewski for the honor. The 23 year-old Giants center fielder made his big league debut at the end of May in 1951 but missed the last two seasons due to his military service in the U.S. Army.
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