American Association (20th century) Most Valuable Player Award
The American Association Most Valuable Player Award 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, the award was not created until 1929. It continued to be issued through the 1962 season, after which the league disbanded. 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.
First basemen, with 18 winners, won the most among infielders and all positions, followed by third baseman and shortstops and second basemen. Three catchers also won the award. Sixteen outfielders won the MVP award. A total of eight pitchers won the MVP Award. In 1969, the American Association established a Most Valuable Pitcher Award.
Eleven players from the Denver Bears/Zephyrs were selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Indianapolis Indians ; the Wichita Aeros ; the Minneapolis Millers ; the Milwaukee Brewers and Omaha Royals ; the Oklahoma City 89ers, St. Paul Saints, and Toledo Mud Hens ; the Columbus Red Birds, Kansas City Blues, and Louisville Colonels ; and the Charleston Senators, Fort Worth Cats, Iowa Cubs, Louisville Redbirds, Nashville Sounds, Omaha Dodgers, and Tulsa Oilers.
Six players each from the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball organizations won the MVP Award, more than any others, followed by the Montreal Expos organization, the Boston/Milwaukee Braves, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Senators/Texas Rangers organizations, the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Giants, and New York Yankees organizations, the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Browns organizations, and the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations. Five players came from unaffiliated teams.
Key
Winners
Wins by team
Team | Award | Year |
Denver Bears/Zephyrs | 11 | 1956, 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992 |
Indianapolis Indians | 9 | 1943, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1961, 1969, 1978, 1995 |
Wichita Aeros | 7 | 1957, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984 |
Minneapolis Millers | 6 | 1933, 1934, 1937, 1947, 1950, 1955 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 4 | 1936, 1938, 1942, 1951 |
Omaha Royals | 4 | 1970, 1981, 1988, 1994 |
Oklahoma City 89ers | 3 | 1985, 1990, 1996 |
St. Paul Saints | 3 | 1929, 1938, 1939 |
Toledo Mud Hens | 3 | 1944, 1946, 1953 |
Columbus Red Birds | 2 | 1932, 1935 |
Kansas City Blues | 2 | 1940, 1952 |
Louisville Colonels | 2 | 1930, 1941 |
Charleston Senators | 1 | 1958 |
Fort Worth Cats | 1 | 1959 |
Iowa Cubs | 1 | 1993 |
Louisville Redbirds | 1 | 1987 |
Nashville Sounds | 1 | 1997 |
Omaha Dodgers | 1 | 1962 |
Tulsa Oilers | 1 | 1975 |
Wins by organization
Organization | Award | Year |
Chicago Cubs | 6 | 1942, 1959, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1993 |
Cincinnati Reds | 6 | 1961, 1969, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1995 |
Montreal Expos | 5 | 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983 |
Boston/Milwaukee Braves | 4 | 1945, 1951, 1953, 1957 |
Kansas City Royals | 4 | 1970, 1981, 1988, 1994 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 4 | 1932, 1935, 1975, 1987 |
Washington Senators/Texas Rangers | 4 | 1971, 1985, 1990, 1996 |
Chicago White Sox | 3 | 1938, 1939, 1997 |
Detroit Tigers | 3 | 1936, 1958, 1960 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 3 | 1989, 1991, 1992 |
New York Giants | 3 | 1947, 1950, 1955 |
New York Yankees | 3 | 1940, 1952, 1956 |
Boston Red Sox | 2 | 1937, 1941 |
Cleveland Indians | 2 | 1938, 1954 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 2 | 1948, 1949 |
St. Louis Browns | 2 | 1944, 1946 |
Houston Astros | 1 | 1973 |
Los Angeles Dodgers | 1 | 1962 |