Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz
Baseball’s MVP award has often sparked controversy, with some truly outstanding performances being overlooked in favor of less deserving winners. Here are the 10 most egregious MVP snubs in baseball history, where statistics clearly show that the wrong player took home the hardware.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus, we'll send you other unbelievable stories from baseball's past.
1928: Heinie Manush’s Outstanding Season Overlooked
In 1928, Heinie Manush put up spectacular numbers, batting .378 with 241 hits and a .989 OPS. Despite playing for the seventh-place St. Louis Browns, his 7.3 WAR far outpaced MVP winner Mickey Cochrane’s 3.4. Cochrane, catching for the dominant Philadelphia A’s, posted modest numbers: .293 average, 137 hits, and an .859 OPS. This marked one of the earliest examples where team success seemingly outweighed individual excellence in MVP voting.
1987: Tony Gwynn’s Masterful Season Denied
Gwynn’s phenomenal 1987 season (.370 average, 56 stolen bases, 8.6 WAR) lost to Andre Dawson’s power numbers. Despite Gwynn’s superior all-around performance and remarkable plate discipline (35 strikeouts), voters were seduced by Dawson’s 49 homers and 137 RBIs, even though both played for losing teams.
1942: Ted Williams Robbed Against Joe Gordon
Ted Williams’ 1942 season was nothing short of phenomenal, leading the league in nearly every offensive category with a .356 average, 36 home runs, and a staggering 10.5 WAR. The Red Sox finished second to the Yankees, yet Gordon’s inferior numbers (.322 average, 18 homers, 7.7 WAR) somehow earned him the MVP. This remains one of the most inexplicable MVP decisions in baseball history.
1985: Rickey Henderson’s Dynamic Season Ignored
Henderson’s incredible 1985 campaign (.314 average, 80 stolen bases, 9.9 WAR) was overshadowed by teammate Don Mattingly’s RBI total. Despite similar OPS numbers and Henderson’s superior WAR, voters favored Mattingly’s traditional stats. Henderson’s 146 runs scored and baserunning prowess actually enabled many of Mattingly’s RBI opportunities.
1985: Doc Gooden’s Historic Season Overlooked
Gooden’s 1985 season ranks among the greatest pitching performances ever: 24-4 record, 1.53 ERA, and 13.3 WAR. The Mets won 98 games, yet Gooden finished fourth in MVP voting behind Willie McGee, whose 8.2 WAR and good-but-not-great offensive numbers pale in comparison to Gooden’s historic campaign.
1962: Willie Mays Loses to Maury Wills
Despite Mays’ incredible season (.304 average, 49 homers, 141 RBIs, 10.5 WAR), voters were swayed by Wills’ record-breaking 104 stolen bases. Mays’ Giants even finished ahead of Wills’ Dodgers in the standings. Both won Gold Gloves, but Mays’ superior offensive production and overall impact (10.5 WAR vs 6.0) should have made this an easy choice.
1989: Bret Saberhagen’s Dominance Ignored
Saberhagen’s stellar 1989 season (23-6, 2.16 ERA, 9.7 WAR) was inexplicably overlooked in favor of Robin Yount’s good-but-not-great campaign. Despite leading the Royals to 92 wins and dominating virtually every pitching category, Saberhagen lost to Yount, who didn’t lead the league in any significant statistical category for the .500 Brewers.
1995: Greg Maddux’s Brilliant Season Passed Over
Maddux’s incredible 1995 campaign (19-2, 1.63 ERA, 9.6 WAR) for the World Series champion Braves somehow finished behind Barry Larkin’s solid but unspectacular season. Maddux’s historic control (23 walks in 209.2 innings) and dominance during the heart of the steroid era make this snub particularly egregious.
2000: Pedro Martinez’s Historic Season Denied
During the peak of the steroid era, Martinez posted otherworldly numbers (1.74 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 11.7 WAR) yet lost to Jason Giambi’s power numbers. Martinez’s 291 ERA+ ranks among the greatest pitching seasons ever, making this snub particularly painful. His dominance in an era of offensive explosion should have made him the clear MVP choice.
1996: Alex Rodriguez’s Phenomenal Season Overlooked
At just 20 years old, A-Rod put together a remarkable season (.358 average, 36 homers, 9.4 WAR) that was inexplicably passed over for Juan Gonzalez’s inferior campaign. Despite Rodriguez leading the league in doubles (52) and batting average while playing stellar shortstop, voters favored Gonzalez’s power numbers (47 HR, 144 RBI) even though he ranked just 17th in WAR. The Mariners’ second-place finish versus the Rangers’ division title likely influenced voters, overshadowing Rodriguez’s historic season for a young shortstop.