When the final out of the Fall Classic is recorded and confetti rains down on the champions, baseball fans often watch for a quirky tradition: the presentation of a brand-new vehicle to the World Series MVP. Yes, the winner of the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award still drives away with a brand-new car or truck. This signature perk has a long, colorful history intertwined with automotive marketing, changing corporate sponsors, and iconic baseball moments.
The tradition dates back to the very inception of the award in 1955, when Sport magazine first handed out the hardware. Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres earned that inaugural honor—and a shiny Chevrolet Corvette. Over the decades, the vehicle prize evolved from a sporadic promotional stunt into a locked-in corporate sponsorship that persists today. Modern players don't just win a trophy; they secure a high-end vehicle right on the field during the post-game broadcast.
How the World Series MVP Car Tradition Began
In 1955, Sport magazine wanted a tangible way to honor the standout player of baseball's ultimate championship series. Giving away a car captured the booming postwar American fascination with automobiles. Johnny Podres received his Corvette after shutting out the New York Yankees in Game 7, setting a high standard for future hardware and automotive pairings.
For the first few decades, the prize lacked a permanent corporate sponsor. Automobile manufacturers rotated based on media partnerships and regional deals. Winners throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s received an eclectic mix of vehicles depending on who bought the advertising rights. Further reporting by CBS Sports delves into related views on the subject.
- Reggie Jackson received a Ford Thunderbird after his legendary three-home-run game in 1977.
- Rick Dempsey drove away in a Pontiac Firebird after winning the 1983 title with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Frank Viola took home a Volvo 740 following his stellar pitching performance for the Minnesota Twins in 1987.
These early years lacked the corporate uniformity seen today. Players might receive a domestic muscle car one year and an imported luxury sedan the next, reflecting the changing landscape of baseball sponsorships before MLB centralized its commercial partnerships.
The Chevrolet Era and Modern Sponsorships
The modern era of the award vehicle began in 2004, when General Motors secured a major sponsorship deal with Major League Baseball. Since then, Chevrolet has been the exclusive provider of the World Series MVP vehicle. Instead of random brands stepping in, Chevy uses the global spotlight of the Fall Classic to debut or showcase its latest trucks, sports cars, and SUVs.
This partnership turned the vehicle presentation into a staple of the post-game ceremony. When a player wins the Willie Mays MVP Award, a brand-new Chevy model is often driven right onto the warning track or displayed prominently on the field.
The vehicles chosen usually reflect the player's performance or current automotive trends. Major League Baseball players multi-million dollar salaries mean they don't need a free car, but the vehicle serves as a high-profile marketing trophy.
- Madison Bumgarner received a Chevrolet Colorado Z71 after his historic pitching heroics for the San Francisco Giants in 2014.
- Stephen Strasburg drove off with a C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray following the Washington Nationals' 2019 championship run.
- Corey Seager was awarded a Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory.
Memorable Moments and Bloopers Involving the Car
Because these presentations happen live on national television immediately after a grueling, emotional series, things occasionally go off script. The most famous incident occurred in 2014 when Chevrolet regional manager Rikk Wilde took the microphone to present Madison Bumgarner with his truck.
Visibly nervous on live television, Wilde stumbled through his lines, praising the truck's "class-leading technology and stuff". The phrase instantly went viral, turning into an internet meme and cementing that specific truck presentation into baseball lore. Despite the awkward delivery, Bumgarner happily took the keys to his new midsize pickup, which had earned high praise from automotive reviewers even without the viral marketing boost.
Another notable aspect of the tradition is player choice. While stars are handed oversized novelty keys on the field, logistics coordinators work with the manufacturer behind the scenes. Players often get to choose the specific trim, color package, or sometimes even an alternative model from the brand's lineup, ensuring the multi-thousand-dollar prize actually matches their personal garage preferences.
Do Other Sports Offer Similar Vehicle Prizes?
Major League Baseball isn't the only sports league that pairs MVPs with automobiles, but its tradition is uniquely consistent.
- NBA Finals: The Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP does not traditionally receive a car on the court. Instead, the focus remains strictly on the trophy itself, though individual players pull in massive commercial endorsement deals off the court.
- NFL Super Bowl: Super Bowl MVPs historically received a brand-new vehicle from the game's official automotive sponsor (traditionally Ford or Chevrolet), accompanied by the famous "I'm going to Disney World!" proclamation.
- MLB All-Star Game: The Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP award also features a vehicle giveaway, with Chevrolet regularly handing over keys to the Midsummer Classic's top performer.
Baseball's commitment to the car presentation gives it a charming, old-school commercial flavor that connects modern multi-millionaires to the grassroots origins of corporate sports sponsorships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do World Series MVPs actually keep the car?
Yes. The vehicle is a genuine gift to the player. While athletes make substantial salaries, they legally own the car, though they are responsible for applicable taxes on the prize value depending on state laws and league agreements.
Can the MVP choose a different car model?
While the vehicle rolled onto the field is a specific promotional model chosen by the sponsor, winners frequently work with brand representatives to select preferred colors, packages, or equivalent models from the manufacturer's lineup.
Who decides who wins the World Series MVP?
The winner is chosen by a panel consisting of media members, Major League Baseball officials, and online fan voting. The committee evaluates performance strictly across the games of the World Series round.
When did Chevrolet become the exclusive sponsor?
General Motors and Chevrolet took over the exclusive rights to provide the vehicle prize starting in the 2004 postseason, creating a continuous corporate partnership that continues to define the award ceremony today.
