The American Association Most Valuable Pitcher Award was an annual award given to the best pitcher 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 1969. From 1929 to 1962, pitchers were eligible to win the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). Eight pitchers won the MVP Award before the league disbanded after the 1962 season. The Most Valuable Pitcher Award was first issued starting with the league's revival in 1969, and it continued to be awarded through 1996; no winner was selected in the 1997 season, after which the circuit disbanded again.
Five players from the Denver Bears, Indianapolis Indians, and Oklahoma City 89ers were each selected for the Most Valuable Pitcher Award, more than any other teams in the league, followed by the Buffalo Bisons (4); the Iowa Cubs, Nashville Sounds, and Omaha Royals (2); and the Evansville Triplets, Louisville Redbirds, and Tulsa Oilers (1).
Six players from the Montreal Expos Major League Baseball (MLB) organization won the award, more than any other, followed by the Chicago White Sox organization (5); the Philadelphia Phillies organization (3); the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers organizations (2); and the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers organizations (1).
Winners
+KeyRecordThe pitcher's win–loss record during the regular seasonSavesThe number of saves earned by the pitcher, if any, during the regular seasonERAThe pitcher's earned run average (ERA) during the regular seasonSOThe number of strikeouts recorded by the pitcher during the regular season
+Winners Year Winner Team Organization Record Saves 1969Tulsa OilersSt. Louis Cardinals13–2151.99631970Indianapolis IndiansCincinnati Reds12–1002.841101971Denver BearsWashington Senators12–7184.78641972Evansville TripletsMilwaukee Brewers15–902.711411973Omaha RoyalsKansas City Royals16–602.511331974Oklahoma City 89ersCleveland Indians17–702.522201975Denver BearsChicago White Sox15–903.491391976Oklahoma City 89ersPhiladelphia Phillies14–602.64120197714–603.13118197813–804.091441979Iowa OaksChicago White Sox13–792.93761980Denver BearsMontreal Expos15–423.5950198115–513.051271982Iowa CubsChicago Cubs13–402.361391983Denver BearsChicago White Sox11–604.17621984Indianapolis IndiansMontreal Expos12–303.051351985Omaha RoyalsKansas City Royals5–5332.01701986Buffalo BisonsChicago White Sox14–362.27811987Indianapolis IndiansMontreal Expos9–703.79125198812–602.94126198912–402.371751990Nashville SoundsCincinnati Reds15–102.171491991Buffalo BisonsPittsburgh Pirates14–402.151021992Louisville RedbirdsSt. Louis Cardinals12–702.701281993Buffalo BisonsPittsburgh Pirates15–1104.13871994Nashville SoundsChicago White Sox15–302.721441995Buffalo BisonsCleveland Indians13–903.90861996Oklahoma City 89ersTexas Rangers12–402.961571997
Wins by team
Team Award(s) Year(s)Denver Bears51971, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1983Indianapolis Indians1970, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989Oklahoma City 89ers1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1996Buffalo Bisons41986, 1991, 1993, 1995Iowa Cubs (Iowa Oaks)21979, 1982Nashville Sounds1990, 1994Omaha Royals1973, 1985Evansville Triplets11972Louisville Redbirds1992Tulsa Oilers1969
Wins by organization
Organization Award(s) Year(s)Montreal Expos61980, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989Chicago White Sox51975, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1994Philadelphia Phillies31976, 1977, 1978Cincinnati Reds21970, 1990Cleveland Indians1974, 1995Kansas City Royals1973, 1985Pittsburgh Pirates1991, 1993St. Louis Cardinals1969, 1992Texas Rangers (Washington Senators)1971, 1996Chicago Cubs11982Milwaukee Brewers1972
References Specific
General