Re-Picking the MLB MVP Every Year

If you’ve been paying attention to Major League Baseball for the past decade, then you’ve definitely become familiar with a three-letter acronym that’s revolutionized the way the game is played. WAR, or Wins Above Replacement, is the result of a decades-lowhicng implementation of advanced metrics used to better evaluate baseball players. What was once a peripheral subject for stats geeks and baseball nerds to occupy themselves with now dominates MLB front offices and mainstream media coverage of the sport. As a result, everyone involved with the game has become smarter: executives, managers, players, writers and even fans.

For the uninitiated, WAR is an all-in-one stat used to quantify exactly how much better a player is compared to another player that would typically be available to replace him. Mike Trout, for example, was worth 10.6 WAR in 2016. That means that, were he to suddenly become unavailable and the Los Angeles Angels had to replace him with a bench player, the team would win about 10 fewer games over the course of an entire season. Theoretically, the higher a player’s WAR, the more valuable he is compared to his peers.

As accurate as WAR can be in assessing a player’s value, it, sadly, is not perfect. Directionally, WAR can tell us which players are undervalued by traditional stats like batting average, ERA and RBI, but it’s not so accurate that we can definitively say that, in 2016, Manny Machado (6.7 WAR) was better than Brian Dozier (6.5). Were it so simple, choosing MVP and Cy Young Award winners would have little drama — we could just take a peak at the yearly WAR leaders and call it a day.

Which brings us to the topic at hand — re-evaluating past MVP choices. Because of the enlightenment sabermetrics has given us, we are now able to look back at previous MVP winners and see which selections were the most egregious when evaluating them under a more advanced lens.

PointAfter, a sports data site powered by Graphiq, carried out this exercise and re-picked every year of baseball’s modern MVP award, which began in 1931 when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America began determining the winner in both the American League and National League.

In reselecting the deserving winners from each season, our method was simple: whoever led the league in WAR was given our imaginary hardware. While this is certainly an oversimplification, this method will suffice for the purpose of correcting past mistakes and giving great players their due.

As evidence of advanced stats’ growing impact on the game, WAR has increasingly become a key factor in voters’ minds when filling out their ballots. In the last 16 seasons, 17 of the 32 MVP winners have led their league in WAR, which is actually an improvement compared to the era that preceded it. In the 16 years before that, only three times was the award given to the league leader in WAR.

If WAR was the determining factor in handing out the MVP award, we’d have an inner circle of great players with some serious hardware. As it stands now, only Barry Bonds (seven) has more than three MVP awards, and only 10 players have more than two. After our do-over, there are 13 players with three or more MVP awards, including seven with five or more and one all-time legend who leads the way with nine.

Note: For this exercise, we’ll be using the Baseball-Reference calculation for WAR.

1931 Deserving MVPs: Babe Ruth (AL) and Watty Clark (NL)

Actual winners: Lefty Grove (AL, 9.7 WAR) and Frankie Frisch (NL, 3.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Babe Ruth (10.3)
NL WAR Leader: Watty Clark (6.3)

1932 Deserving MVPs: Jimmie Foxx (AL) and Mel Ott (NL)

Actual winners: Jimmie Foxx (AL, 10.5 WAR) and Chuck Klein (NL, 7.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Jimmie Foxx (10.5)
NL WAR Leader: Mel Ott (7.9)

1933 Deserving MVPs: Jimmie Foxx (AL) and Carl Hubbell (NL)

Actual winners: Jimmie Foxx (AL, 9.2 WAR) and Carl Hubbell (NL, 8.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Jimmie Foxx (9.2)
NL WAR Leader: Carl Hubbell (8.9)

1934 Deserving MVPs: Lou Gehrig (AL), Dizzy Dean (NL)

Actual winners: Mickey Cochrane (AL, 4.0 WAR) and Dizzy Dean (NL, 9.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Lou Gehrig (10.4)
NL WAR Leader: Dizzy Dean (9.1)

1935 Deserving MVPs: Wes Ferrell (AL), Arky Vaughan (NL)

Actual winners: Hank Greenberg (AL, 7.7 WAR) and Gabby Hartnett (NL, 5.0 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Wes Ferrell (11.0)
NL WAR Leader: Arky Vaughan (9.2)

1936 Deserving MVPs: Lou Gehrig (AL), Carl Hubbell (NL)

Actual winners: Lou Gehrig (AL, 9.1 WAR) and Carl Hubbell (NL, 9.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Lou Gehrig (9.1)
NL WAR Leader: Carl Hubbell (9.9)

1937 Deserving MVPs: Lefty Gomez (AL), Joe Medwick (NL)

Actual winners: Charlie Gehringer (AL, 7.4 WAR) and Joe Medwick (NL, 8.5 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Lefty Gomez (9.2)
NL WAR Leader: Joe Medwick (8.5)

1938 Deserving MVPs: Jimmie Foxx (AL) and Mel Ott (NL)

Actual winners: Jimmie Foxx (AL, 7.6 WAR) and Ernie Lombardi (NL, 5.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Jimmie Foxx (7.6)
NL WAR Leader: Mel Ott (8.9)

1939 Deserving MVPs: Bob Feller (AL) and Bucky Walters (NL)

Actual winners: Joe DiMaggio (AL, 8.1 WAR) and Bucky Walters (NL, 9.8 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Bob Feller (9.8)
NL WAR Leader: Bucky Walters (9.8)

1940 Deserving MVPs: Bob Feller (AL) and Johnny Mize (NL)

Actual winners: Hank Greenberg (AL, 7.1 WAR) and Frank McCormick (NL, 5.7)

AL WAR Leader: Bob Feller (9.8)
NL WAR Leader: Johnny Mize (7.4)

1941 Deserving MVPs: Ted Williams (AL) and Whit Wyatt (NL)

Actual winners: Joe DiMaggio (AL, 9.1 WAR) and Dolph Camilli (NL, 6.8 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ted Williams (10.6)
NL WAR Leader: Whit Wyatt (7.6)

1942 Deserving MVPs: Ted Williams (AL) and Mort Cooper (NL)

Actual winners: Joe Gordon (AL, 8.2) and Mort Cooper (NL, 8.4)

AL WAR Leader: Ted Williams (10.6)
NL WAR Leader: Mort Cooper (8.4)

1943 Deserving MVPs: Lou Boudreau (AL) and Stan Musial (NL)

Actual winners: Spud Chandler (AL, 7.3 WAR) and Stan Musial (NL, 9.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Lou Boudreau (7.9)
NL WAR Leader: Stan Musial (9.4)

1944 Deserving MVPs: Dizzy Trout (AL) and Stan Musial (NL)

Actual winners: Hal Newhouser (AL, 8.6 WAR) and Marty Marion (NL, 4.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Dizzy Trout (11.1)
NL WAR Leader: Stan Musial (9.4)

1945 Deserving MVPs: Hal Newhouser (AL) and Tommy Holmes (NL)

Actual winners: Hal Newhouser (AL, 12.0) and Phil Cavarretta (NL. 6.0 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Hal Newhouser (12.0)
NL WAR Leader: Tommy Holmes (8.0)

1946 Deserving MVPs: Ted Williams (AL) and Stan Musial (NL)

Actual winners: Ted Williams (AL, 10.9 WAR) and Stan Musial (NL, 8.6 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ted Williams (10.9)
NL WAR Leader: Stan Musial (8.6)

1947 Deserving MVPs: Ted Williams (AL) and Warren Spahn (NL)

Actual winners: Joe DiMaggio (AL, 4.8 WAR) and Bob Elliott (NL, 6.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ted Williams (9.9)
NL WAR Leader: Warren Spahn (9.3)

1948 Deserving MVPs: Lou Boudreau (AL) and Stan Musial (NL)

Actual winners: Lou Boudreau (AL, 10.4 WAR) and Stan Musial (NL, 11.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Lou Boudreau (10.4)
NL WAR Leader: Stan Musial (11.1)

1949 Deserving MVPs: Ted Williams (AL) and Jackie Robinson (NL)

Actual winners: Ted Williams (AL, 9.1 WAR) and Jackie Robinson (NL, 9.6 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ted Williams (9.1)
NL WAR Leader: Jackie Robinson (9.6)

1950 Deserving MVPs: Ned Garver (AL) and Eddie Stanky (NL)

Actual winners: Phil Rizzuto (AL, 6.7 WAR) and Jim Konstanty (NL, 4.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ned Garver (8.2)
NL WAR Leader: Eddie Stanky (8.0)

1951 Deserving MVPs: Ted Williams (AL) and Jackie Robinson (NL)

Actual winners: Yogi Berra (AL, 4.8 WAR) and Roy Campanella (NL, 6.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ted Williams (7.2)
NL WAR Leader: Jackie Robinson (9.7)

1952 Deserving MVPs: Bobby Shantz (AL) and Robin Roberts (NL)

Actual winners: Bobby Shantz (AL, 9.6 WAR) and Hank Sauer (NL, 5.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Bobby Shantz (9.6)
NL WAR Leader: Robin Roberts (8.5)

1953 Deserving MVPs: Al Rosen (AL) and Robin Roberts (NL)

Actual winners: Al Rosen (AL, 10.1 WAR) and Roy Campanella (NL, 7.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Al Rosen (10.1)
NL WAR Leader: Robin Roberts (9.8)

1954 Deserving MVPs: Minnie Minoso (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Yogi Berra (AL, 5.3 WAR) and Willie Mays (NL, 10.6 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Minnie Minoso (8.2)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (10.6)

1955 Deserving MVPs: Mickey Mantle (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Yogi Berra (AL, 4.5 WAR) and Roy Campanella (NL, 5.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mickey Mantle (9.5)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (9.0)

1956 Deserving MVPs: Mickey Mantle (AL) and Duke Snider (NL)

Actual winners: Mickey Mantle (AL, 11.2 WAR) and Don Newcombe (NL, 5.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mickey Mantle (11.2)
NL WAR Leader: Duke Snider (7.6)

1957 Deserving MVPs: Mickey Mantle (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Mickey Mantle (AL, 11.3 WAR) and Hank Aaron (NL, 8.0 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mickey Mantle (11.3)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (8.3)

1958 Deserving MVPs: Mickey Mantle (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Jackie Jensen (AL, 4.9 WAR) and Ernie Banks (NL, 9.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mickey Mantle (8.7)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (10.2)

1959 Deserving MVPs: Camilo Pascual (AL) and Ernie Banks (NL)

Actual winners: Nellie Fox (AL, 6.0 WAR) and Ernie Banks (NL, 10.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Camilo Pascual (8.6)
NL WAR Leader: Ernie Banks (10.2)

1960 Deserving MVPs: Roger Maris (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Roger Maris (AL, 7.5 WAR) and Dick Groat (NL. 6.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Roger Maris (7.5)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (9.5)

1961 Deserving MVPs: Mickey Mantle (AL) and Hank Aaron (NL)

Actual winners: Roger Maris (AL, 6.9) and Frank Robinson (NL, 7.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mickey Mantle (10.5)
NL WAR Leader: Hank Aaron (9.4)

1962 Deserving MVPs: Camilo Pascual (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Mickey Mantle (AL, 5.9 WAR) and Maury Wills (NL, 6.0 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Camilo Pascual (6.2)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (10.5)

1963 Deserving MVPs: Bob Allison (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Elston Howard (AL, 5.2 WAR) and Sandy Koufax (NL, 9.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Bob Allison (7.4)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (10.6)

1964 Deserving MVPs: Dean Chance (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Brooks Robinson (AL, 8.1 WAR) and Ken Boyer (NL, 6.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Dean Chance (8.6)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (11.2)

1965 Deserving MVPs: Sam McDowell (AL) and Willie Mays (NL)

Actual winners: Zoilo Versalles (AL, 7.2 WAR) and Willie Mays (NL, 11.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Sam McDowell (7.9)
NL WAR Leader: Willie Mays (11.2)

1966 Deserving MVPs: Earl Wilson (AL) and Sandy Koufax (NL)

Actual winners: Frank Robinson (AL, 7.7 WAR) and Roberto Clemente (NL, 8.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Earl Wilson (7.9)
NL WAR Leader: Sandy Koufax (9.8)

1967 Deserving MVPs: Carl Yastrzemski (AL) and Ron Santo (NL)

Actual winners: Carl Yastrzemski (AL, 12.4 WAR) and Orlando Cepeda (NL, 6.8 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Carl Yastrzemski (12.4)
NL WAR Leader: Ron Santo (9.8)

1968 Deserving MVPs: Carl Yastrzemski (AL) and Bob Gibson (NL)

Actual winners: Denny McLain (AL, 7.4 WAR) and Bob Gibson (NL, 11.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Carl Yastrzemski (10.5)
NL WAR Leader: Bob Gibson (11.9)

1969 Deserving MVPs: Rico Petrocelli (AL) and Bob Gibson (NL)

Actual winners: Harmon Killebrew (AL, 6.2 WAR) and Willie McCovey (NL, 8.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Rico Petrocelli (10.0)
NL WAR Leader: Bob Gibson (11.3)

1970 Deserving MVPs: Carl Yastrzemski (AL) and Bob Gibson (NL)

Actual winners: Boog Powell (AL, 5.1 WAR) and Johnny Bench (NL, 7.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Carl Yastrzemski (9.5)
NL WAR Leader: Bob Gibson (10.1)

1971 Deserving MVPs: Wilbur Wood (AL) and Fergie Jenkins (NL)

Actual winners: Vida Blue (AL, 8.6 WAR) and Joe Torre (NL, 5.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Wilbur Wood (10.9)
NL WAR Leader: Fergie Jenkins (12.0)

1972 Deserving MVPs: Gaylord Perry (AL) and Steve Carlton (NL)

Actual winners: Dick Allen (AL, 8.6 WAR) and Johnny Bench (NL, 8.6 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Gaylord Perry (11.2)
NL WAR Leader: Steve Carlton (12.5)

1973 Deserving MVPs: Bert Blyleven (AL) and Tom Seaver (NL)

Actual winners: Reggie Jackson (AL, 7.8 WAR) and Pete Rose (NL, 8.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Bert Blyleven (9.9)
NL WAR Leader: Tom Seaver (11.0)

1974 Deserving MVPs: Gaylord Perry (AL) and Mike Schmidt (NL)

Actual winners: Jeff Burroughs (AL, 3.6 WAR) and Steve Garvey (NL, 4.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Gaylord Perry (8.6)
NL WAR Leader: Mike Schmidt (9.7)

1975 Deserving MVPs: Jim Palmer (AL) and Joe Morgan (NL)

Actual winners: Fred Lynn (AL, 7.4 WAR) and Joe Morgan (NL, 10.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Jim Palmer (8.5 WAR)
NL WAR Leader: Joe Morgan (10.9)

1976 Deserving MVPs: Mark Fidrych (AL) and Joe Morgan (NL)

Actual winners: Thurman Munson (AL, 5.3 WAR) and Joe Morgan (NL, 9.6 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mark Fidrych (9.6)
NL WAR Leader: Joe Morgan (9.6)

1977 Deserving MVPs: Rod Carew (AL) and Rick Reuschel (NL)

Actual winners: Rod Carew (AL, 9.7 WAR) and George Foster (NL, 8.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Rod Carew (9.7)
NL WAR Leader: Rick Reuschel (9.6)

1978 Deserving MVPs: Ron Guidry (AL) and Phil Niekro (NL)

Actual winners: Jim Rice (AL, 7.5 WAR) and Dave Parker (NL, 7.0 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ron Guidry (9.6)
NL WAR Leader: Phil Niekro (10.4)

1979 Deserving MVPs: Fred Lynn (AL) and Dave Winfield (NL)

Actual winners: Don Baylor (AL, 3.7 WAR) and Keith Hernandez (NL, 7.6 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Fred Lynn (8.8)
NL WAR Leader: Dave Winfield (8.3)

1980 Deserving MVPs: George Brett (AL) and Steve Carlton (NL)

Actual winners: George Brett (AL, 9.4 WAR) and Mike Schmidt (NL, 8.8 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: George Brett (9.4)
NL WAR Leader: Steve Carlton (10.2)

1981 Deserving MVPs: Dwight Evans (AL) and Mike Schmidt (NL)

Actual winners: Rollie Fingers (AL, 4.3 WAR) and Mike Schmidt (NL, 7.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Dwight Evans (6.6)
NL WAR Leader: Mike Schmidt (7.7)

1982 Deserving MVPs: Robin Yount (AL) and Gary Carter (NL)

Actual winners: Robin Yount (AL, 10.5 WAR) and Dale Murphy (NL, 6.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Robin Yount (10.5)
NL WAR Leader: Dale Murphy (6.1)

1983 Deserving MVPs: Cal Ripken Jr. (AL) and John Denny (NL)

Actual winners: Cal Ripken Jr. (AL, 8.2 WAR) and Dale Murphy (NL, 7.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Cal Ripken Jr. (8.2)
NL WAR Leader: John Denny (7.6)

1984 Deserving MVPs: Cal Ripken Jr. (AL) and Ryne Sandberg (NL)

Actual winners: Willie Hernandez (AL, 4.8 WAR) and Ryne Sandberg (NL, 8.5 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Cal Ripken Jr. (10.0)
NL WAR Leader: Ryne Sandberg (8.5)

1985 Deserving MVPs: Rickey Henderson (AL) and Dwight Gooden (NL)

Actual winners: Don Mattingly (AL, 6.4 WAR) and Willie McGee (NL, 8.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Rickey Henderson (9.9)
NL WAR Leader: Dwight Gooden (13.2)

1986 Deserving MVPs: Teddy Higuera (AL) and Mike Scott (NL)

Actual winners: Roger Clemens (AL, 8.6 WAR) and Mike Schmidt (NL, 6.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Teddy Higuera (9.4)
NL WAR Leader: Mike Scott (8.2)

1987 Deserving MVPs: Roger Clemens (AL) and Tony Gwynn (NL)

Actual winners: George Bell (AL, 5.0 WAR) and Andre Dawson (NL, 4.0)

AL WAR Leader: Roger Clemens (9.4)
NL WAR Leader: Tony Gwynn (8.5)

1988 Deserving MVPs: Wade Boggs (AL) and Orel Hershiser (NL)

Actual winners: Jose Canseco (AL, 7.2 WAR) and Kirk Gibson (NL, 6.5 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Wade Boggs (8.2)
NL WAR Leader: Orel Hershiser (7.1)

1989 Deserving MVPs: Bret Saberhagen (AL) and Lonnie Smith (NL)

Actual winners: Robin Yount (AL, 5.8 WAR) and Kevin Mitchell (NL, 6.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Bret Saberhagen (9.7)
NL WAR Leader: Lonnie Smith (8.8)

1990 Deserving MVPs: Roger Clemens (AL) and Barry Bonds (NL)

Actual winners: Rickey Henderson (AL, 9.9 WAR) and Barry Bonds (NL, 9.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Roger Clemens (10.6)
NL WAR Leader: Barry Bonds (9.7)

1991 Deserving MVPs: Cal Ripken Jr. (AL) and Tom Glavine (NL)

Actual winners: Cal Ripken Jr. (AL, 11.5 WAR) and Terry Pendleton (NL, 6.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Cal Ripken Jr. (11.5)
NL WAR Leader: Tom Glavine (9.3)

1992 Deserving MVPs: Roger Clemens (AL) and Greg Maddux (NL)

Actual winners: Dennis Eckersley (AL, 2.9 WAR) and Barry Bonds (NL, 9.0 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Roger Clemens (8.8)
NL WAR Leader: Greg Maddux (9.4)

1993 Deserving MVPs: Kevin Appier (AL) and Jose Rijo (NL)

Actual winners: Frank Thomas (AL, 6.2 WAR) and Barry Bonds (NL, 9.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Kevin Appier (9.3)
NL WAR Leader: Jose Rijo (10.2)

1994 Deserving MVPs: Kenny Lofton (AL) and Greg Maddux (NL)

Actual winners: Frank Thomas (AL, 6.3 WAR) and Jeff Bagwell (NL, 8.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Kenny Lofton (7.2)
NL WAR Leader: Greg Maddux (8.7)

1995 Deserving MVPs: Randy Johnson (AL) and Greg Maddux (NL)

Actual winners: Mo Vaughn (AL, 4.3 WAR) and Barry Larkin (NL, 5.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Randy Johnson (8.7)
NL WAR Leader: Greg Maddux (9.6)

1996 Deserving MVPs: Ken Griffey Jr. (AL) and Barry Bonds (NL)

Actual winners: Juan Gonzalez (AL, 3.8 WAR) and Ken Caminiti (NL, 7.6)

AL WAR Leader: Ken Griffey Jr. (9.7)
NL WAR Leader: Barry Bonds (9.6)

1997 Deserving MVPs: Roger Clemens (AL) and Larry Walker (NL)

Actual winners: Ken Griffey Jr. (9.1) and Larry Walker (NL, 9.8 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Roger Clemens (12.2)
NL WAR Leader: Larry Walker (9.8)

1998 Deserving MVPs: Alex Rodriguez (AL) and Kevin Brown (NL)

Actual winners: Juan Gonzalez (AL, 4.9 WAR) and Sammy Sosa (NL, 6.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Alex Rodriguez (8.5)
NL WAR Leader: Kevin Brown (9.1)

1999 Deserving MVPs: Pedro Martinez (AL) and Randy Johnson (NL)

Actual winners: Ivan Rodriguez (AL, 6.4 WAR) and Chipper Jones (NL, 6.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Pedro Martinez (9.7)
NL WAR Leader: Randy Johnson (8.8)

2000 Deserving MVPs: Pedro Martinez (AL) and Todd Helton (NL)

Actual winners: Jason Giambi (AL, 7.7 WAR) and Jeff Kent (NL, 7.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Pedro Martinez (11.7)
NL WAR Leader: Todd Helton (8.8)

2001 Deserving MVPs: Jason Giambi (AL) and Barry Bonds (NL)

Actual winners: Ichiro Suzuki (AL, 7.7 WAR) and Barry Bonds (NL, 11.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Jason Giambi (9.1)
NL WAR Leader: Barry Bonds (11.9)

2002 Deserving MVPs: Alex Rodriguez (AL) and Barry Bonds (NL)

Actual winners: Miguel Tejada (AL, 5.6 WAR) and Barry Bonds (NL, 11.8 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Alex Rodriguez (8.8)
NL WAR Leader: Barry Bonds (11.8)

2003 Deserving MVPs: Alex Rodriguez (AL) and Barry Bonds (NL)

Actual winners: Alex Rodriguez (AL, 8.4 WAR) and Barry Bonds (NL, 9.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Alex Rodriguez (8.4)
NL WAR Leader: Barry Bonds (9.2)

2004 Deserving MVPs: Ichiro Suzuki (AL) and Barry Bonds (NL)

Actual winners: Vladimir Guerrero (AL, 5.6 WAR) and Barry Bonds (NL, 10.6 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ichiro Suzuki (9.1)
NL WAR Leader: Barry Bonds (10.6)

2005 Deserving MVPs: Alex Rodriguez (AL) and Albert Pujols (NL)

Actual winners: Alex Rodriguez (AL, 9.4 WAR) and Albert Pujols (NL, 8.4 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Alex Rodriguez (9.4)
NL WAR Leader: Albert Pujols (8.4)

2006 Deserving MVPs: Johan Santana (AL) and Albert Pujols (NL)

Actual winners: Justin Morneau (AL, 4.3 WAR) and Ryan Howard (NL, 5.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Johan Santana (7.5)
NL WAR Leader: Albert Pujols (8.7)

2007 Deserving MVPs: Alex Rodriguez (AL) and Albert Pujols (NL)

Actual winners: Alex Rodriguez (AL, 9.4 WAR) and Jimmy Rollins (NL, 6.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Alex Rodriguez (9.4)
NL WAR Leader: Albert Pujols (8.7)

2008 Deserving MVPs: Nick Markakis (AL) and Albert Pujols (NL)

Actual winners: Dustin Pedroia (AL, 6.9 WAR) and Albert Pujols (NL, 9.2 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Nick Markakis (7.4)
NL WAR Leader: Albert Pujols (9.2)

2009 Deserving MVPs: Zack Greinke (AL) and Albert Pujols (NL)

Actual winners: Joe Mauer (AL, 7.8 WAR) and Albert Pujols (NL, 9.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Zack Greinke (10.4)
NL WAR Leader: Albert Pujols (9.7)

2010 Deserving MVPs: Josh Hamilton (AL) and Roy Halladay (NL)

Actual winners: Josh Hamilton (AL, 8.7 WAR) and Joey Votto (NL, 6.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Josh Hamilton (8.7)
NL WAR Leader: Roy Halladay (8.1)

2011 Deserving MVPs: Ben Zobrist (AL) and Cliff Lee (NL)

Actual winners: Justin Verlander (AL, 8.4 WAR) and Ryan Braun (NL, 7.8 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Ben Zobrist (8.7)
NL WAR Leader: Cliff Lee (9.2)

2012 Deserving MVPs: Mike Trout (AL) and Buster Posey (NL)

Actual winners: Miguel Cabrera (AL, 7.2 WAR) and Buster Posey (NL, 7.3 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mike Trout (10.8)
NL WAR Leader: Buster Posey (7.3)

2013 Deserving MVPs: Mike Trout (AL) and Carlos Gomez (NL)

Actual winners: Miguel Cabrera (AL, 7.3 WAR) and Andrew McCutchen (NL, 8.1 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mike Trout (9.3)
NL WAR Leader: Carlos Gomez (8.5)

2014 Deserving MVPs: Mike Trout (AL) and Clayton Kershaw (NL)

Actual winners: Mike Trout (AL, 7.9 WAR) and Clayton Kershaw (NL, 8.0 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mike Trout (7.9)
NL WAR Leader: Clayton Kershaw (8.0)

2015 Deserving MVPs: Mike Trout (AL) and Bryce Harper (NL)

Actual winners: Josh Donaldson (NL, 8.8 WAR) and Bryce Harper (NL, 9.9 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mike Trout (9.4)
NL WAR Leader: Bryce Harper (9.9)

2016 Deserving MVPs: Mike Trout (AL) and Kris Bryant (NL)

Actual winners: Mike Trout (AL, 10.6 WAR) and Kris Bryant (NL, 7.7 WAR)

AL WAR Leader: Mike Trout (10.6)
NL WAR Leader: Kris Bryant (7.7)

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