American Association (1902–1997) Most Valuable Player Award Explained

American Association Most Valuable Player Award
Sport:	Baseball
League:	American Association
Givenfor:	Regular-season most valuable player of the American Association
Country:	United States
Presenter:	American Association
First:	Billy Rogell (1929)
Last:	Magglio Ordóñez (1997)

The American Association Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) was an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's American Association based on their regular-season performance. Though the league was established in 1902,^[1] the award was not created until 1929.^[2] It continued to be issued through the 1962 season, after which the league disbanded.^{[1] [2]} In 1969, both the league and the award were revived, and the honor continued to be given until the league disbanded for a second time after the 1997 season.^{[1] [2]}

First basemen, with 18 winners, won the most among infielders and all positions, followed by third baseman (10), shortstops (7), and second basemen (3). Fifteen winners were outfielders. Seven pitchers and three catchers won the award.

Eight players who won the MVP Award also won the American Association Rookie of the Year Award in the same season: Jerry Witte (1946), Herb Score (1954), Jack Smith (1962), Barry Larkin (1986), Lance Johnson (1987), Juan González (1990), Eric Owens (1995), and Magglio Ordóñez (1997).^[2] From 1929 to 1962, pitchers were eligible to win the MVP Award as no award was designated for pitchers. In 1969, the American Association established a Most Valuable Pitcher Award.^[2] No player won both awards.^[2]

Eleven players from the Denver Zephyrs were selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Indianapolis Indians (9); the Minneapolis Millers and Wichita Aeros (6); the Milwaukee Brewers and Omaha Royals (4); the Oklahoma City 89ers and St. Paul Saints (3); the Columbus Red Birds, Kansas City Blues, Louisville Colonels, and Toledo Mud Hens (2); and the Charleston Senators, Fort Worth Cats, Iowa Cubs, Louisville Redbirds, Nashville Sounds, Omaha Dodgers, Toledo Sox, Tulsa Oilers, and Wichita Braves (1).

Six players from the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball (MLB) organizations each won the award, more than any others, followed by the Montreal Expos organization (5); the Milwaukee Braves, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers organizations (4); the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Giants, and New York Yankees organizations (3); the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Browns organizations (2); and the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations (1). Five award winners played for teams that were not affiliated with any MLB organization.

Winners

Position

Indicates the player's primary position
^	Indicates multiple award winners in the same year

Year	Winner	Team	Organization	Position
1929		St. Paul Saints	—	Shortstop	^[3]
1930		Louisville Colonels	—	Shortstop	^[4]
1931
1932		Columbus Red Birds	St. Louis Cardinals	First baseman	^[5]
1933		Minneapolis Millers	—	First baseman	^[6]
1934		Minneapolis Millers	—	Catcher	^[7]
1935		Columbus Red Birds	St. Louis Cardinals	Pitcher	^[8]
1936		Milwaukee Brewers	Detroit Tigers	First baseman	^[9]
1937		Minneapolis Millers	Boston Red Sox	Shortstop	^[10]
1938^		St. Paul Saints	Chicago White Sox	Second baseman	^[11]
		Milwaukee Brewers	Cleveland Indians	Pitcher	^[12]
1939		St. Paul Saints	Chicago White Sox	Third baseman	^[13]
1940		Kansas City Blues	New York Yankees	Shortstop	^[14]
1941		Louisville Colonels	Boston Red Sox	Shortstop	^[15]
1942		Milwaukee Brewers	Chicago Cubs	Shortstop	^[16]
1943		Indianapolis Indians	—	Catcher	^[17]
1944		Toledo Mud Hens	St. Louis Browns	Outfielder	^[18]
1945		Indianapolis Indians	Boston Braves	Outfielder	^[19]
1946		Toledo Mud Hens	St. Louis Browns	First baseman	^[20]
1947		Minneapolis Millers	New York Giants	Pitcher	^[21]
1948		Indianapolis Indians	Pittsburgh Pirates	First baseman	^[22]
1949		Indianapolis Indians	Pittsburgh Pirates	Third baseman	^[23]
1950		Minneapolis Millers	New York Giants	Third baseman	^[24]
1951		Milwaukee Brewers	Boston Braves	Catcher	^[25]
1952		Kansas City Blues	New York Yankees	First baseman	^[26]
1953		Toledo Sox	Milwaukee Braves	Pitcher	^[27]
1954		Indianapolis Indians	Cleveland Indians	Pitcher	^[28]
1955		Minneapolis Millers	New York Giants	Third baseman	^[29]
1956		Denver Bears	New York Yankees	First baseman	^[30]
1957		Wichita Braves	Milwaukee Braves	Pitcher	^[31]
1958		Charleston Senators	Detroit Tigers	Second baseman	^[32]
1959		Fort Worth Cats	Chicago Cubs	Outfielder	^[33]
1960		Denver Bears	Detroit Tigers	Third baseman	^[34]
1961		Indianapolis Indians	Cincinnati Reds	Third baseman	^[35]
1962		Omaha Dodgers	Los Angeles Dodgers	Pitcher	^[36]
1969		Indianapolis Indians	Cincinnati Reds	Outfielder	^[37]
1970		Omaha Royals	Kansas City Royals	Outfielder	^[38]
1971		Denver Bears	Washington Senators	Outfielder	^[39]
1972		Wichita Aeros	Chicago Cubs	First baseman	^[40]
1973		Denver Bears	Houston Astros	First baseman	^[41]
1974		Wichita Aeros	Chicago Cubs	First baseman	^[42]
1975		Tulsa Oilers	St. Louis Cardinals	Third baseman	^[43]
1976		Denver Bears	Montreal Expos	First baseman	^[44]
1977		Denver Bears	Montreal Expos	First baseman	^[45]
1978		Indianapolis Indians	Cincinnati Reds	Outfielder	^[46]
1979		Wichita Aeros	Chicago Cubs	Outfielder	^[47]
1980		Denver Bears	Montreal Expos	First baseman	^[48]
1981		Omaha Royals	Kansas City Royals	Third baseman	^[49]
1982		Wichita Aeros	Montreal Expos	First baseman	^[50]
1983		Wichita Aeros	Montreal Expos	First baseman	^[51]
1984		Wichita Aeros	Cincinnati Reds	First baseman	^[52]
1985		Oklahoma City 89ers	Texas Rangers	Third baseman	^[53]
1986		Denver Zephyrs	Cincinnati Reds	Shortstop	^[54]
1987		Louisville Redbirds	St. Louis Cardinals	Outfielder	^[55]
1988		Omaha Royals	Kansas City Royals	First baseman	^[56]
1989		Denver Zephyrs	Milwaukee Brewers	Outfielder	^[57]
1990		Oklahoma City 89ers	Texas Rangers	Outfielder	^[58]
1991		Denver Zephyrs	Milwaukee Brewers	Outfielder	^[59]
1992		Denver Zephyrs	Milwaukee Brewers	Third baseman	^[60]
1993		Iowa Cubs	Chicago Cubs	Outfielder	^[61]
1994		Omaha Royals	Kansas City Royals	Outfielder	^[62]
1995		Indianapolis Indians	Cincinnati Reds	Second baseman	^[63]
1996		Oklahoma City 89ers	Texas Rangers	First baseman	^[64]
1997		Nashville Sounds	Chicago White Sox	Outfielder	^[65]

Wins by team

Team	Award(s)	Year(s)
Denver Zephyrs (Denver Bears)	11	1956, 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992
Indianapolis Indians	9	1943, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1961, 1969, 1978, 1995
Minneapolis Millers	6	1933, 1934, 1937, 1947, 1950, 1955
Wichita Aeros		1972, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984
Milwaukee Brewers	4	1936, 1938, 1942, 1951
Omaha Royals		1970, 1981, 1988, 1994
Oklahoma City 89ers	3	1985, 1990, 1996
St. Paul Saints		1929, 1938, 1939
Columbus Red Birds	2	1932, 1935
Kansas City Blues		1940, 1952
Louisville Colonels		1930, 1941
Toledo Mud Hens		1944, 1946
Charleston Senators	1	1958
Fort Worth Cats		1959
Iowa Cubs		1993
Louisville Redbirds		1987
Nashville Sounds		1997
Omaha Dodgers		1962
Toledo Sox		1953
Tulsa Oilers		1975
Wichita Braves		1957

Wins by organization

Organization	Award(s)	Year(s)
Chicago Cubs	6	1942, 1959, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1993
Cincinnati Reds		1961, 1969, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1995
Montreal Expos	5	1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983
Milwaukee Braves (Boston Braves)	4	1945, 1951, 1953, 1957
Kansas City Royals		1970, 1981, 1988, 1994
St. Louis Cardinals		1932, 1935, 1975, 1987
Texas Rangers (Washington Senators)		1971, 1985, 1990, 1996
Chicago White Sox	3	1938, 1939, 1997
Detroit Tigers		1936, 1958, 1960
Milwaukee Brewers		1989, 1991, 1992
New York Giants		1947, 1950, 1955
New York Yankees		1940, 1952, 1956
Boston Red Sox	2	1937, 1941
Cleveland Indians		1938, 1954
Pittsburgh Pirates		1948, 1949
St. Louis Browns		1944, 1946
Houston Astros	1	1973
Los Angeles Dodgers		1962

References

Specific

General

• Web site: American Association Special Award Winners. Triple-A Baseball. May 26, 2022. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210421030844/http://www.tripleabaseball.com/AAAwards.jsp. April 21, 2021.

Notes and References

1. Web site: American Association (AAA) Encyclopedia and History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
2. Web site: American Association Special Award Winners. Triple-A Baseball. May 26, 2022. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210421030844/http://www.tripleabaseball.com/AAAwards.jsp. April 21, 2021.
3. Web site: Billy Rogell Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
4. Web site: Joe Olivares Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
5. Web site: Pat Crawford Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
6. Web site: Joe Hauser Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
7. Web site: Pinky Hargrave Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
8. Web site: Mike Ryba Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
9. Web site: Rudy York Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
10. Web site: Red Kress Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
11. Web site: Ollie Bejma Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
12. Web site: Whit Wyatt Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
13. Web site: Gil English Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
14. Web site: Phil Rizzuto Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
15. Web site: Johnny Pesky Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
16. Web site: Eddie Stanky Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
17. Web site: Stew Hofferth Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
18. Web site: Babe Martin Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
19. Web site: Stan Wentzel Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
20. Web site: Jerry Witte Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
21. Web site: Steve Gerkin Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
22. Web site: Les Fleming Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
23. Web site: Nanny Fernandez Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
24. Web site: Ray Dandridge Mexican, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
25. Web site: Al Unser Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
26. Web site: Don Bollweg Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
27. Web site: Gene Conley Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
28. Web site: Herb Score Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
29. Web site: Rance Pless Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
30. Web site: Marv Throneberry Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
31. Web site: Carl Willey Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
32. Web site: Wayne Terwilliger Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
33. Web site: Bob Will Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
34. Web site: Steve Boros Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
35. Web site: Cliff Cook Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
36. Web site: Jack Smith Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
37. Web site: Bernie Carbo Winter, Minor, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
38. Web site: George Spriggs Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
39. Web site: Richie Scheinblum Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
40. Web site: Pat Bourque Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
41. Web site: Cliff Johnson Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
42. Web site: Pete LaCock Minor, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
43. Web site: Hector Cruz Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
44. Web site: Roger Freed Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
45. Web site: Frank Ortenzio Winter, Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
46. Web site: Champ Summers Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
47. Web site: Karl Pagel Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
48. Web site: Randy Bass Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
49. Web site: Manny Castillo Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
50. Web site: Ken Phelps Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
51. Web site: Mike Stenhouse Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
52. Web site: Alan Knicely Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
53. Web site: Steve Buechele Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
54. Web site: Barry Larkin Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
55. Web site: Lance Johnson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
56. Web site: Luis de los Santos Minor, Mexican, CPBL, Japanese, Korean & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
57. Web site: Greg Vaughn Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
58. Web site: Juan Gonzalez Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
59. Web site: Jim Olander Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
60. Web site: Jim Tatum Minor, Japanese, Mexican & Korean Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
61. Web site: Eddie Zambrano Minor, Mexican & CPBL Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
62. Web site: Dwayne Hosey Minor, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
63. Web site: Eric Owens Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
64. Web site: Lee Stevens Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.
65. Web site: Magglio Ordonez Minor Leagues Statistics & History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. May 26, 2022.