Whatever Happened to These MLB MVPs?

Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz

Remember when MVPs weren’t just the obvious superstars? Back when baseball writers actually surprised us with their votes, and October heroes emerged from unexpected corners of the diamond. These ten MVP winners might have slipped from memory, but their seasons were pure magic.

Don Baylor (1979 AL MVP) – The Designated Hitter Who Made History

Before Edgar Martinez made the DH respectable, Don Baylor was crushing 36 homers and driving in 139 runs for the California Angels. He became the first designated hitter to win MVP, beating out Ken Singleton in a season where disco was dying and baseball was finding new ways to evolve. Baylor’s intimidating presence at the plate—complete with that menacing stare—made pitchers think twice about coming inside.

Willie Hernández (1984 AL MVP) – The Relief Pitcher Who Owned Detroit

When the Detroit Tigers started 35-5 in 1984, Willie Hernández was their secret weapon, saving 32 games with a 1.92 ERA. The Puerto Rican lefthander’s screwball baffled hitters during Detroit’s magical run to the World Series championship. He swept both the MVP and Cy Young awards—one of the few relievers to ever capture an MVP award—while Motown was still humming “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and Ronald Reagan was cruising toward re-election.

Terry Pendleton (1991 NL MVP) – Atlanta’s Forgotten Third Base Hero

Terry Pendleton’s .319 batting average led the National League in 1991, the year Atlanta went from worst to first and started their incredible decade-long run. The switch-hitting third baseman drove in 86 runs and scored 94 more, providing the steady veteran leadership that transformed the Braves into a dynasty. While everyone remembers the pitching staff, Pendleton was the catalyst who made that magical season possible, beating out Barry Bonds for the hardware.

Mo Vaughn (1995 AL MVP) – Boston’s Basher

The “Hit Dog” mashed 39 homers and drove in 126 runs for the Boston Red Sox in the strike-shortened 1995 season, edging out Albert Belle in one of the closest MVP races ever. Mo Vaughn’s massive frame filled the batter’s box at Fenway, and his infectious smile filled the clubhouse with energy during a year when baseball desperately needed heroes after the work stoppage. His MVP trophy sits somewhere between OJ’s white Bronco and Windows 95 in the cultural memory of that wild year.

Juan González (1996, 1998 AL MVP) – The Texas Ranger with the Sweet Swing

Juan González crushed 47 homers in ’96 and 45 in ’98 for the Texas Rangers. The Puerto Rican slugger’s compact swing generated tremendous power in the Texas heat, making Arlington Stadium his personal launching pad. While Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas grabbed headlines, González quietly put together two monster seasons, with his MVP years coinciding with cultural touchstones like the Macarena and the movie “Titanic.”

Larry Walker (1997 NL MVP) – The Canadian Who Conquered Coors Field

Larry Walker hit .366 with 49 homers and 130 RBIs in 1997, becoming the first Canadian-born player to win MVP while Tony Blair was becoming Prime Minister and Princess Diana was still gracing magazine covers. The former hockey player-turned-baseball superstar made Coors Field his personal playground, but his road numbers were also outstanding. Walker’s combination of power, speed, and defense made him a complete player in an era when complete players were becoming rare.

Jason Giambi (2000 AL MVP) – Oakland’s Moneyball MVP Before Moneyball

Jason Giambi’s 43 homers and .333 average led the Oakland Athletics to the playoffs in 2000, three years before “Moneyball” made Billy Beane famous and sabermetrics mainstream. The mustachioed first baseman embodied old-school power hitting while the memory of Y2K fears was still fresh, and “Survivor” launched reality TV. Giambi’s patient approach and thunderous swing made him the perfect bridge between baseball’s traditional stats and its analytical future, even if nobody knew it yet.

Josh Hamilton (2010 AL MVP) – The Comeback Kid’s Shining Moment

Josh Hamilton’s remarkable comeback story peaked with a .359 average and 32 homers in 2010, leading the Texas Rangers to their first World Series appearance. The former first overall pick had battled addiction and seemed destined for baseball’s scrap heap before finding redemption in Arlington. His MVP season coincided with the iPad’s debut and the Gulf oil spill, proving that second chances sometimes lead to first-place finishes and unforgettable October moments.

Justin Verlander (2011 AL MVP) – The Last Pitcher to Win It All

Justin Verlander went 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts in 2011, becoming the first pitcher since Dennis Eckersley to win both MVP and Cy Young awards. His 100-mph fastball dominated hitters during the year Steve Jobs died and “Game of Thrones” premiered, proving that power pitching could still capture voters’ attention in an increasingly offensive era. Verlander’s dominant season for the Detroit Tigers made him one of only a handful of starting pitchers to achieve the ultimate individual recognition in the modern era, a feat that has become increasingly rare.

Andrew McCutchen (2013 NL MVP) – Pittsburgh’s Steel City Savior

Andrew McCutchen hit .317 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs while leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to their first playoff appearance in 21 years, ending the longest postseason drought in major sports. “Cutch” became the face of Pittsburgh’s baseball renaissance, his infectious enthusiasm and clutch hitting bringing October baseball back to the Steel City for the first time since Barry Bonds wore black and gold. His MVP season coincided with the Boston Marathon bombing and Edward Snowden’s revelations, but in Pittsburgh, McCutchen’s smile and spectacular play provided pure joy during a complicated year.