The World Series MVP Award honors the player who makes the biggest impact on baseball’s championship stage. First presented in 1955, the award has recognized legendary pitchers, clutch hitters, and postseason heroes, including Sandy Koufax, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Madison Bumgarner, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The latest winner from the 2025 World Series is Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
What Is the World Series MVP Award?
The World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is presented to the player judged most valuable during Major League Baseball’s championship series. Unlike regular-season awards, it focuses exclusively on performance in the World Series.
The award is selected by a voting panel and recognizes the player whose contributions stand out most across the series. A winner might dominate as a starting pitcher, deliver decisive home runs, make game-changing defensive plays, or combine several of these contributions.
Since 2017, the award has been officially known as the Willie Mays World Series MVP Award, honoring one of baseball’s greatest players. Despite the name, Willie Mays himself never won the World Series MVP Award.
World Series MVP Award History: Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| First awarded | 1955 |
| First winner | Johnny Podres |
| Latest completed-series winner | Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2025) |
| Award name since 2017 | Willie Mays World Series MVP Award |
| Multiple-award winners | Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Reggie Jackson |
| No World Series | 1994 |
| Most recent repeat winner | Corey Seager (2020 and 2023) |
The award’s history includes dominant pitching performances, unforgettable offensive displays, and championship moments that have become part of baseball folklore.
Complete List of World Series MVP Winners by Year (1955–2025)
The following table lists every World Series MVP selection from the award’s introduction through the most recently completed World Series. The 1981 and 2001 series each had multiple co-winners.
| Year | World Series MVP | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Johnny Podres | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| 1956 | Don Larsen | New York Yankees |
| 1957 | Lew Burdette | Milwaukee Braves |
| 1958 | Bob Turley | New York Yankees |
| 1959 | Larry Sherry | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 1960 | Bobby Richardson | New York Yankees |
| 1961 | Whitey Ford | New York Yankees |
| 1962 | Ralph Terry | New York Yankees |
| 1963 | Sandy Koufax | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 1964 | Bob Gibson | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1965 | Sandy Koufax | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 1966 | Frank Robinson | Baltimore Orioles |
| 1967 | Bob Gibson | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1968 | Mickey Lolich | Detroit Tigers |
| 1969 | Donn Clendenon | New York Mets |
| 1970 | Brooks Robinson | Baltimore Orioles |
| 1971 | Roberto Clemente | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| 1972 | Gene Tenace | Oakland Athletics |
| 1973 | Reggie Jackson | Oakland Athletics |
| 1974 | Rollie Fingers | Oakland Athletics |
| 1975 | Pete Rose | Cincinnati Reds |
| 1976 | Johnny Bench | Cincinnati Reds |
| 1977 | Reggie Jackson | New York Yankees |
| 1978 | Bucky Dent | New York Yankees |
| 1979 | Willie Stargell | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| 1980 | Mike Schmidt | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 1981 | Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, Steve Yeager | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 1982 | Darrell Porter | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1983 | Rick Dempsey | Baltimore Orioles |
| 1984 | Alan Trammell | Detroit Tigers |
| 1985 | Bret Saberhagen | Kansas City Royals |
| 1986 | Ray Knight | New York Mets |
| 1987 | Frank Viola | Minnesota Twins |
| 1988 | Orel Hershiser | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 1989 | Dave Stewart | Oakland Athletics |
| 1990 | José Rijo | Cincinnati Reds |
| 1991 | Jack Morris | Minnesota Twins |
| 1992 | Pat Borders | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 1993 | Paul Molitor | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 1994 | No award | No World Series |
| 1995 | Tom Glavine | Atlanta Braves |
| 1996 | John Wetteland | New York Yankees |
| 1997 | Liván Hernández | Florida Marlins |
| 1998 | Scott Brosius | New York Yankees |
| 1999 | Mariano Rivera | New York Yankees |
| 2000 | Derek Jeter | New York Yankees |
| 2001 | Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2002 | Troy Glaus | Anaheim Angels |
| 2003 | Josh Beckett | Florida Marlins |
| 2004 | Manny Ramirez | Boston Red Sox |
| 2005 | Jermaine Dye | Chicago White Sox |
| 2006 | David Eckstein | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2007 | Mike Lowell | Boston Red Sox |
| 2008 | Cole Hamels | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2009 | Hideki Matsui | New York Yankees |
| 2010 | Edgar Renteria | San Francisco Giants |
| 2011 | David Freese | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2012 | Pablo Sandoval | San Francisco Giants |
| 2013 | David Ortiz | Boston Red Sox |
| 2014 | Madison Bumgarner | San Francisco Giants |
| 2015 | Salvador Perez | Kansas City Royals |
| 2016 | Ben Zobrist | Chicago Cubs |
| 2017 | George Springer | Houston Astros |
| 2018 | Steve Pearce | Boston Red Sox |
| 2019 | Stephen Strasburg | Washington Nationals |
| 2020 | Corey Seager | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2021 | Jorge Soler | Atlanta Braves |
| 2022 | Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros |
| 2023 | Corey Seager | Texas Rangers |
| 2024 | Freddie Freeman | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2025 | Yoshinobu Yamamoto | Los Angeles Dodgers |
Historical winner data: MLB.com and Baseball Almanac.
The Most Memorable Moments in World Series MVP History
1. Johnny Podres: The First Winner in 1955
The award began with Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres. His performance helped the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees and capture the franchise’s first World Series championship while based in Brooklyn.
His selection established a tradition of recognizing players whose performances define the Fall Classic.
2. Don Larsen’s Perfect Game in 1956
New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen produced one of the most extraordinary moments in baseball history when he threw a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.
Larsen retired all 27 batters he faced without allowing a hit, walk, or baserunner. His performance remains the only perfect game in World Series history, making his MVP-winning season unforgettable.
3. Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson Establish Pitching Greatness
Sandy Koufax won the award in 1963 and 1965 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bob Gibson claimed it in 1964 and 1967 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Both pitchers demonstrated how a dominant arm can control the biggest games and turn a championship series into an individual showcase.
4. Reggie Jackson’s October Stardom
Reggie Jackson won the World Series MVP Award in 1973 with Oakland and again in 1977 with the New York Yankees. His 1977 performance, which included three home runs in the deciding Game 6, helped cement his reputation as “Mr. October.”
Jackson remains one of the defining examples of a hitter thriving under postseason pressure.
5. The Dodgers’ Three-Way MVP in 1981
The 1981 award was unusual because three Los Angeles Dodgers players shared the honor: Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager.
Their combined contributions helped the Dodgers defeat the Yankees in six games. It remains the only World Series MVP selection shared among three players.
6. Derek Jeter’s Championship Moment in 2000
Derek Jeter earned the 2000 award as the New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets in the Subway Series. His performance reinforced his reputation as a central figure in the Yankees’ championship dynasty.
7. Johnson and Schilling Share the Honor in 2001
Arizona Diamondbacks teammates Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were named co-MVPs after helping their team defeat the Yankees in seven games.
Their dominant pitching was central to Arizona’s championship, making 2001 one of the rare World Series seasons with two award winners.
8. Madison Bumgarner’s Historic 2014 Run
San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner delivered one of the most remarkable postseason pitching performances of the modern era. He started Games 1 and 5, then came out of the bullpen in Game 7 to finish the championship.
His ability to handle both starting and relief duties made him the clear choice for the 2014 MVP.
9. Corey Seager Wins Twice
Corey Seager won the award with the Dodgers in 2020 and the Texas Rangers in 2023. His selections illustrate that World Series MVP recognition can follow a player across different teams and championship runs.
10. Yoshinobu Yamamoto Wins in 2025
Yoshinobu Yamamoto earned the 2025 World Series MVP Award as the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games. The Japanese right-hander delivered key starts and played a major role in the Dodgers’ championship run.
His achievement added a new chapter to the award’s international history and highlighted the importance of pitching in high-pressure postseason baseball.
Which Players Have Won the World Series MVP Award More Than Once?
Only three players had won the award twice through the 2025 World Series:
| Player | Winning years | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Koufax | 1963, 1965 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Bob Gibson | 1964, 1967 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Reggie Jackson | 1973, 1977 | Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees |
These players set a high standard for postseason excellence. Their achievements also show that repeat MVP honors are exceptionally difficult to earn, even for baseball legends.
Corey Seager has also won twice, in 2020 and 2023, bringing the modern era into this elite group.
Do Pitchers or Hitters Win the World Series MVP More Often?
Both pitchers and position players have enjoyed success, but pitchers have a particularly strong history in the award.
A dominant starter can shape multiple games, while a closer can secure a decisive win. Hitters, meanwhile, can earn the award through home runs, timely hits, strong defense, and consistent production across the series.
The most important factor is not position it is impact. The MVP is generally the player whose contribution most clearly helps determine the champion.
How Is the World Series MVP Chosen?
The award is decided by a voting panel associated with the World Series broadcast and coverage. Voters evaluate the player’s overall contribution throughout the championship series.
Common considerations include:
- Offensive production: Home runs, runs batted in, batting average, and timely hits.
- Pitching performance: Innings pitched, strikeouts, earned runs, and performance in high-leverage situations.
- Defense: Important plays that prevent runs or change the outcome of a game.
- Championship impact: Contributions in decisive games and moments under pressure.
Winning the World Series does not automatically make a player the MVP. The award recognizes individual value within the team’s championship performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first World Series MVP Award?
Johnny Podres of the Brooklyn Dodgers won the first World Series MVP Award in 1955 after helping his team defeat the New York Yankees.
Who won the 2025 World Series MVP Award?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2025 World Series MVP Award after helping the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games.
Who has won the most World Series MVP Awards?
Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Reggie Jackson each won the award twice through 2025. They were joined in the two-time winner group by Corey Seager, who won in 2020 and 2023.
When did the World Series MVP Award begin?
The award was first presented in 1955. It recognizes the most valuable player in Major League Baseball’s championship series.
What is the Willie Mays World Series MVP Award?
It is the official name of the World Series MVP Award since 2017, when Major League Baseball renamed it to honor Hall of Fame legend Willie Mays.
Was a World Series MVP named in 1994?
No. The 1994 World Series was canceled because of the players’ strike, so no MVP was awarded that year.
Can more than one player win World Series MVP?
Yes. In 1981, Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager shared the award. In 2001, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were named co-MVPs.
Final Thoughts
The history of the World Series MVP Award is a record of baseball’s defining postseason performances. Since Johnny Podres became the first winner in 1955, the honor has celebrated extraordinary pitching, clutch hitting, and players who rise to the occasion when a championship is on the line.
From Don Larsen’s perfect game and Reggie Jackson’s October power to Madison Bumgarner’s remarkable 2014 performance and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 2025 triumph, each winner adds a distinct chapter to baseball history.
For fans exploring the award’s legacy, the complete winners list offers more than names and dates it shows how individual excellence can shape the sport’s biggest moments.
Emily Parker is a sports journalist at SportsOrbitX.com with a passion for covering cricket, tennis and major international sporting events. She is committed to producing clear, reliable and engaging content for sports enthusiasts worldwide.