The World Series Most Valuable Player Award stands as the ultimate individual honor in Major League Baseball. Winning it requires extraordinary performance on the grandest stage when the pressure peaks. While the team hoists the historic Commissioner's Trophy, one standout player captures individual immortality.
Major League Baseball officially designates the trophy presented to the champion team as the Commissioner's Trophy, crafted meticulously by Tiffany & Co. with thirty flags representing every franchise. Meanwhile, the individual MVP honor—officially renamed the Willie Mays Award in 2017—recognizes the single player whose performance drove their team to glory. Understanding this award means looking at how the trophy evolved, who earned the honor through legendary autumn performances, and what the legacy means for modern athletes.
The Evolution of the Commissioner's Trophy
Before baseball established a unified championship symbol, winning franchises received various regional or temporary awards. Major League Baseball introduced the Commissioner's Trophy in 1967, and the St. Louis Cardinals became the first team to hoist it after defeating the Boston Red Sox.
Tiffany & Co. took over crafting duties in 2000. Master artisans spend more than three months shaping over 200 troy ounces of sterling silver into the iconic 24-inch structure. Thirty flags encircle the base, symbolizing each Major League franchise, while 24-karat vermeil stitches cross the silver baseball perched atop the flags. Weighing roughly thirty pounds, the trophy represents the culmination of a grueling 162-game season and four rounds of postseason play.
The Willie Mays Award: History of the World Series MVP
While the team award dates back to 1967, the individual MVP honor started earlier. Editors of Sport magazine first handed out the World Series MVP award in 1955, with Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres claiming the inaugural honor.
In 2017, MLB officially renamed the accolade the Willie Mays World Series MVP Award to honor the legendary "Say Hey Kid," whose iconic over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series remains one of the defining moments in sport history. Today, a panel of media members, baseball officials, and fan votes combine to determine the recipient at the conclusion of the Fall Classic.
Elite Multi-Time Winners
Consistency on baseball's biggest stage is rare. Only four players in MLB history have captured the World Series MVP award more than once:
- Sandy Koufax: The dominant left-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers won the award in 1963, 1965, and 1966. His pitching masterclasses set a standard that few pitchers have approached since.
- Bob Gibson: The fierce St. Louis Cardinals ace locked down the honor in 1964 and 1967, racking up staggering strikeout totals and complete-game gems.
- Reggie Jackson: Earned the legendary moniker "Mr. October" by winning the award with the Oakland Athletics in 1973 and the New York Yankees in 1977, highlighted by his famous three-consecutive-pitch home run game.
- Corey Seager: Achieved modern greatness by winning the award with two different franchises—the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and the Texas Rangers in 2023.
Position Breakdown and Trends
Pitchers dominated the early decades of the award. Starting pitchers like Don Larsen—who threw his famous 1956 World Series perfect game for the New York Yankees—and Madison Bumgarner, whose heroic relief and starting efforts for the San Francisco Giants in 2014 carried his club, frequently claimed the hardware.
In recent decades, position players have taken center stage. Shortstops, outfielders, and designated hitters regularly capture the votes due to explosive offensive outputs, defensive wizardry, and clutch late-inning hits. Shared awards occurred twice—in 1981 when three Dodgers teammates (Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager) shared the honor, and in 2001 when Arizona Diamondbacks co-aces Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling split the recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who votes for the World Series MVP?
A panel consisting of official MLB scorers, select baseball writers covering the event, and fan voting accounts determines the winner as the final out of the series is recorded.
Has a player from a losing team ever won the MVP?
No. Unlike the NHL's Conn Smythe Trophy, which occasionally goes to a player on the losing finalist squad, the World Series MVP has exclusively gone to a member of the championship-winning team.
What is the difference between the League Series MVP and World Series MVP?
The League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS) MVPs are awarded to the top performers of the respective American and National League pennant series, while the World Series MVP specifically honors performance in the final championship round.
Where is the original Commissioner's Trophy kept?
Unlike the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup, which travels constantly, a brand-new Commissioner's Trophy is manufactured by Tiffany & Co. every single year. The winning franchise keeps that permanent trophy to display in their stadium or team museum.
For deeper historical records and annual winner breakdowns, check the Baseball Reference World Series MVP Archive and official historical overviews on MLB.com.
