Kevin Mitchell of the Giants is named 1989 National League Most Valuable Player

On November 21, 1989  – Kevin Mitchell of the Giants, who led the major leagues with 47 home runs and 125 RBI, is named National League Most Valuable Player. Mitchell lead the team to the playoffs his MVP was the first by a Giant since Willie McCovey in 1969. He added a .353 average and 2 homers in the NLCS to help the team to its first World Series appearance since 1962.

Mitchell is the only player in Major League Baseball history to win a Most Valuable Player award and play for five major league teams before his 32nd birthday.

The barehanded catch
Mitchell set the tone for his charmed 1989 season early in the year with a unique defensive play on April 26. Sprinting toward the left field foul line in St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, for a ball off the bat of Ozzie Smith, Mitchell realized he had overrun the ball, but was able to reach back and snare the ball with his bare hand.

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