Baseball’s Greatest Awards
How can you truly assign value to someone? Well, if you’re Major League Baseball, it’s easy, and you do it every year. And if that value is high enough, they march you on stage and give you a prize! If a player or team proves worthy, here’s what they get!
The Commissioner’s Trophy: This top award is presented to the winner of the World Series at the end of every season, as it has been since 1967. The only year it was not awarded was in 1994 when the players’ strike prematurely ended the season in August. If the home team wins, the trophy is presented out on the field for all the fans to see, otherwise it’s awarded in the clubhouse. Not surprisingly, the New York Yankees hold the most at seven.
The Warren C. Giles Trophy: Both leagues, the National and the American, honor their top team with their own trophy prior to the season’s final series. The Warren C. Giles Trophy commemorates the man who was president of the National League’s from 1951 to 1960. The same trophy changes hands with every new winner.
The William Harridge Trophy: Counterpart to the Giles Trophy, the William Harridge trophy goes to the winning team in the American League. Harridge was president of the American League from 1931 to 1959. Like the Commissioner’s Trophy and contrasting the Giles Trophy, a new Harridge Trophy is made every year.
Most Valuable Player Award: The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) chooses the MVP Award winners, one from each league. The award, officially called the Kenesaw Mountain Landis Memorial Baseball Award, is decided after the postseason but isn’t awarded until after the World Series.
Gold Glove Award: Not just a metaphorical name, there are, quite literally, 18 gold colored gloves given out each year, one for each position in both leagues. Each league’s managers (who cannot vote for their own players) and coaches decide the award based on the player’s defensive prowess. In addition to human choice, there’s a sabermetric component that lends statistical analysis to the decision and accounts for about 25% of the vote.
Fielding Bible Award: Started in 2006, this lesser known award is similar to the Gold Glove in that it recognizes exceptional defensive play, but there are two glaring differences: First off, only one is awarded per position in all of Major League Baseball. Secondly, it champions empirical data over the impressions of coaches and managers. That’s why some think it’s even better.
Cy Young Award: Ever since 1956, one of these coveted awards is given to the best pitcher in either league, decided on by the BBWAA, along with two representatives from each team.
Rookie of the Year: Also called the Jackie Robinson Award, it’s bestowed upon the greenhorn decided most deserving by the BBWAA, one for each league. To qualify, the newbie must have fewer than 130 at bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club
Silver Slugger: Like the Gold Glove, the Silver Slugger Award is what it says it is, a silver-plated baseball bat. One of two major offensive awards, one Slugger is earned in each position, 9 for the AL and 9 for the NL. The coaches and managers of the MLB chose the winners based on batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, as well as a little personal bias, though they are not allowed to vote for their own players.
Hank Aaron Award: This award was introduced in 1999 commemorating the 25th anniversary of its namesakes breaking of the Great Bambino’s record. Baseball fans, broadcasters, and analysts choose just one player from each league to hoist the home-plate-shaped award each year.
Roberto Clemente: Who says nice guys finish last? Each team nominates one player from their club. Fans then remember Clemente’s altruism when they vote for the player they think most embodies the qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork, and civic duty.
