World Series Most Valuable Player Award

The Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the MLB postseason. The award was first presented in 1955 by Sport magazine, but since 1985 has been officially presented by MLB. The winner is determined during the final game of the World Series by a committee of reporters and officials present at the game.

On September 29, 2017, the award was renamed in honor of Willie Mays in remembrance of the 63rd anniversary of The Catch, which occurred the year before the award's debut; Mays never won the award himself.

Car and trophy

The award winner has traditionally received a new car. Johnny Podres, the inaugural winner in 1955, received a Chevrolet Corvette. The 1977 winner, Reggie Jackson, received a Ford Thunderbird, while the 1983 winner, Rick Dempsey, received a Pontiac Firebird. Frank Viola, the 1987 MVP, received a Volvo 740.

Since 2004, General Motors had provided the vehicle. Examples include David Ortiz (2013 MVP) receiving a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country, Ben Zobrist (2016 MVP) receiving a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible 50th Anniversary Edition, and Corey Seager (2020 MVP) receiving a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71.

A trophy has also been presented to the award winner since at least the late 1970s. In 1985, Major League Baseball (MLB) took over as the official award presenter from Sport magazine, although for a few years, MLB and Sport each presented different trophies to the winner. Trophies given to award winners include:

A wooden base supporting a metallic baseball inside a hoop; in use by 1978, and last presented in 1984. A tall wooden base with a metallic baseball on top, surrounded by a number of metallic flags; first presented in 1985, and last presented in 1988. The text on this trophy read "Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award". A metallic bowl on a wooden base; in use by 1987, apparently the MLB-awarded trophy. A trapezoidal wooden base, which included the MLB logo, topped by a metallic baseball; first awarded in 1988. A pyramid-shaped trophy with a dark base, clear body, and baseball on top; in use by 1995. A scaled-down variant of the Commissioner's Trophy with a single large metallic pennant; last presented in 2017. A wooden pedestal topped by a bronze sculpture of Willie Mays making "The Catch" in the 1954 World Series; in use since 2018.

Winners +KeyYearLinks to an article about the corresponding World SeriesOtherawardsPlayer also won, in the same season: ASG: All-Star Game MVP Award CY: Cy Young Award LCS: League Championship Series MVP Award MVP: Major League Baseball MVP AwardInductee of the National Baseball Hall of FamePlayer is still active in professional baseball#Player was a rookie that season§Player's team lost the World Series^Multiple award winners in the same World Series(#)Number of times winning World Series MVP at that point (if more than one)

Year Player Team Position Selected statistics Otherawards Brooklyn DodgersStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games; 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 10 strikeoutsNew York YankeesStarting pitcher1–0 record over 2 games started; perfect game in Game 5 7 strikeouts Pitched first no-hitter and only perfect game in World Series historyMilwaukee BravesStarting pitcher3–0 record over 3 games started; all were complete games; 2 shutouts 2 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 13 strikeoutsNew York YankeesPitcher2–1 record and 1 save over 4 appearances (2 starts); 1 shutout 5 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 13 strikeoutsCYLos Angeles Dodgers Relief pitcher2–0 record and 2 saves over 4 appearances 1 earned run allowed over innings pitched 5 strikeouts New York YankeesSecond baseman.367 batting average 1 grand slam 12 runs batted inNew York YankeesStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout 14 scoreless innings pitched 7 strikeoutsCYNew York YankeesStarting pitcher2–1 record over 3 games started; 2 complete games- 1 shutout 5 earned runs allowed over 25 innings pitched 16 strikeoutsLos Angeles DodgersStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games 3 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 23 strikeoutsSt. Louis CardinalsStarting pitcher2–1 record over 3 games started; 2 complete games 27 innings pitched 31 strikeouts (2)Los Angeles DodgersStarting pitcher2–1 record over 3 games started; 2 shutouts 1 earned run allowed over 24 innings pitched 29 strikeoutsCYBaltimore OriolesOutfielder.286 batting average 2 home runs 3 runs batted inMVP (2)St. Louis CardinalsStarting pitcher3–0 record over 3 games started; all were complete games; 1 shutout 3 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 26 strikeoutsDetroit TigersStarting pitcher3–0 record over 3 games started; all were complete games 5 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 21 strikeoutsNew York MetsFirst baseman.357 batting average 3 home runs 4 runs batted inBaltimore OriolesThird baseman.429 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted inPittsburgh PiratesOutfielder.414 batting average 2 home runs 4 runs batted inOakland AthleticsCatcher.348 batting average 4 home runs 9 runs batted inOakland AthleticsOutfielder.310 batting average 1 home run 6 runs batted inMVPOakland AthleticsRelief pitcher1–0 record and 2 saves over 4 appearances 2 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 6 strikeoutsCincinnati RedsThird baseman.370 batting average 10 hits 2 runs batted inCincinnati RedsCatcher.533 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in (2)New York YankeesOutfielder.450 batting average 5 home runs (3 in Game 6) 8 runs batted inNew York YankeesShortstop.417 batting average 10 hits 7 runs batted inPittsburgh PiratesFirst baseman.400 batting average 7 extra-base hits 7 runs batted inPhiladelphia PhilliesThird baseman.381 batting average 2 home runs 7 runs batted inMVP^Los Angeles DodgersThird baseman.350 batting average 1 home run 6 runs batted inOutfielder.333 batting average 4 extra-base hits 7 runs batted inCatcher.286 batting average 2 home runs 4 runs batted inSt. Louis CardinalsCatcher.286 batting average 1 home run 5 runs batted inLCSBaltimore OriolesCatcher.385 batting average 5 hits; all were extra-base hits- (4 doubles and 1 home run) 2 runs batted inDetroit TigersShortstop.450 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted inKansas City RoyalsStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games- 1 shutout 1 earned run allowed over 18 innings pitched 10 strikeoutsCYNew York MetsThird baseman.391 batting average Series-winning home run in 7th inning of Game 7 5 runs batted inMinnesota TwinsStarting pitcher2–1 record over 3 games started 8 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 16 strikeoutsLos Angeles DodgersStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games- 1 shutout 1.000 batting average; 2 doubles; 2.667 OPS 17 strikeoutsOakland AthleticsStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout 3 earned runs allowed over 16 innings pitched 14 strikeoutsCincinnati RedsStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started 1 earned run allowed over innings pitched 14 strikeoutsMinnesota TwinsStarting pitcher2–0 record over 3 games started; 10-inning shutout in Game 7 3 earned runs allowed over 23 innings pitched 15 strikeoutsToronto Blue JaysCatcher.450 batting average 1 home run 3 runs batted inToronto Blue JaysDesignated hitter,first baseman,third baseman.500 batting average 12 hits; 6 extra-base hits 8 runs batted in/10 runs scoredSeries canceled due to player's strikeAtlanta BravesStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started 2 earned runs allowed over 14 innings pitched 11 strikeoutsNew York YankeesRelief pitcher4 saves over 5 appearances 1 earned run allowed over innings pitched 6 strikeoutsFlorida MarlinsStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started innings pitched 7 strikeoutsLCSNew York YankeesThird baseman.471 batting average 2 home runs in Game 3 6 runs batted inNew York YankeesRelief pitcher1–0 record and 2 saves in 3 appearances scoreless innings pitched 3 strikeoutsNew York YankeesShortstop.409 batting average 2 home runs/ 19 total bases 6 runs scoredASG^Arizona DiamondbacksPitcher3–0 record over 3 appearances (2 starts); 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 19 strikeoutsCYStarting pitcher1–0 record over 3 games started 4 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 26 strikeoutsAnaheim AngelsThird baseman.385 batting average 3 home runs 8 runs batted inFlorida MarlinsStarting pitcher1–1 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 19 strikeoutsBoston Red SoxOutfielder.412 batting average 1 home run 4 runs batted inChicago White SoxOutfielder.438 batting average 1 home run 3 runs batted inSt. Louis CardinalsShortstop.364 batting average 8 hits 4 runs batted inBoston Red SoxThird baseman.400 batting average 1 home run 4 runs batted inPhiladelphia PhilliesStarting pitcher1–0 record over 2 games started 4 earned runs allowed over 13 innings pitched 8 strikeoutsLCSNew York YankeesDesignated hitter.615 batting average 3 home runs 8 runs batted inSan Francisco GiantsShortstop.412 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted inSt. Louis CardinalsThird baseman.348 batting average Game tying triple in the 9th and Walk-off home run in 11th inning of Game 6 7 runs batted inLCSSan Francisco GiantsThird baseman.500 batting average 3 home runs in Game 1 4 runs batted inASGBoston Red SoxDesignated hitter.688 batting average 2 home runs / 4 intentional walks 6 runs batted in ASGSan Francisco GiantsPitcher2–0 record and 1 save over 3 appearances (2 starts); 1 shutout 1 earned run allowed over 21 innings pitched 17 strikeoutsLCSKansas City RoyalsCatcher.364 batting average 51 innings caught in 5 games played 3 runs scoredASGChicago CubsOutfielder.357 batting average 10 hits, including go-ahead RBI double in 10th inning of Game 7 5 runs scoredASGHouston AstrosOutfielder.379 batting average 5 home runs, 7 runs batted in 8 runs scored, 11 hits Ability to predict every pitch thrownASGBoston Red SoxFirst baseman.333 batting average 3 home runs, 8 runs batted in 1.167 slugging percentageWashington NationalsStarting pitcher2–0 record over 2 games started 4 earned runs allowed over 14 innings pitched 14 strikeoutsLos Angeles DodgersShortstop.400 batting average 2 home runs 5 runs batted inLCSAtlanta BravesOutfielder, designated hitter.300 batting average 3 go-ahead home runs 6 runs batted inHouston AstrosShortstop.400 batting average 10 hits, including a go-ahead home run in the fourth inning of Game 5 1.023 on-base plus sluggingLCS (2)Texas RangersShortstop3 home runs, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 1 6 runs batted in 1.137 on-base plus sluggingLos Angeles DodgersFirst baseman.300 batting average 4 home runs, including a game-winning grand slam in the tenth inning of Game 1 12 runs batted inLos Angeles DodgersPitcher3–0 record over 2 games started (1 complete game) and 1 relief appearance 2 earned runs allowed over innings pitched, including 6 innings in Game 6 and innings in relief in Game 7 15 strikeouts

Winners by team and by position

From 1955 through 2025, a total of 71 seasons, there have been 70 editions of the World Series played (there was no World Series in ). In 68 editions, a single MVP was named; in 1981, three MVPs were named; and in 2001, two MVPs were named. Thus, there have been a total of 73 MVPs.