American Association (1902–1997) Most Valuable Player Award


The American Association Most Valuable Player Award was an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's American Association based on their regular-season performance. Though the league was established in 1902, the award was not created until 1929. It continued to be issued through the 1962 season, after which the league disbanded. In 1969, both the league and the award were revived, and the honor continued to be given until the league disbanded for a second time after the 1997 season.
First basemen, with 18 winners, won the most among infielders and all positions, followed by third baseman, shortstops, and second basemen. Fifteen winners were outfielders. Seven pitchers and three catchers won the award.
Eight players who won the MVP Award also won the American Association Rookie of the Year Award in the same season: Jerry Witte, Herb Score, Jack Smith, Barry Larkin, Lance Johnson, Juan González, Eric Owens, and Magglio Ordóñez. From 1929 to 1962, pitchers were eligible to win the MVP Award as no award was designated for pitchers. In 1969, the American Association established a Most Valuable Pitcher Award. No player won both awards.
Eleven players from the Denver Zephyrs were selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Indianapolis Indians ; the Minneapolis Millers and Wichita Aeros ; the Milwaukee Brewers and Omaha Royals ; the Oklahoma City 89ers and St. Paul Saints ; the Columbus Red Birds, Kansas City Blues, Louisville Colonels, and Toledo Mud Hens ; and the Charleston Senators, Fort Worth Cats, Iowa Cubs, Louisville Redbirds, Nashville Sounds, Omaha Dodgers, Toledo Sox, Tulsa Oilers, and Wichita Braves.
Six players from the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball organizations each won the award, more than any others, followed by the Montreal Expos organization ; the Milwaukee Braves, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers organizations ; the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Giants, and New York Yankees organizations ; the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Browns organizations ; and the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations. Five award winners played for teams that were not affiliated with any MLB organization.

Winners

PositionIndicates the player's primary position
^Indicates multiple award winners in the same year

Wins by team

TeamAwardYear
Denver Zephyrs 111956, 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992
Indianapolis Indians91943, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1961, 1969, 1978, 1995
Minneapolis Millers61933, 1934, 1937, 1947, 1950, 1955
Wichita Aeros61972, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984
Milwaukee Brewers41936, 1938, 1942, 1951
Omaha Royals41970, 1981, 1988, 1994
Oklahoma City 89ers31985, 1990, 1996
St. Paul Saints31929, 1938, 1939
Columbus Red Birds21932, 1935
Kansas City Blues21940, 1952
Louisville Colonels21930, 1941
Toledo Mud Hens21944, 1946
Charleston Senators11958
Fort Worth Cats11959
Iowa Cubs11993
Louisville Redbirds11987
Nashville Sounds11997
Omaha Dodgers11962
Toledo Sox11953
Tulsa Oilers11975
Wichita Braves11957

Wins by organization

OrganizationAwardYear
Chicago Cubs61942, 1959, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1993
Cincinnati Reds61961, 1969, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1995
Montreal Expos51976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983
Milwaukee Braves 41945, 1951, 1953, 1957
Kansas City Royals41970, 1981, 1988, 1994
St. Louis Cardinals41932, 1935, 1975, 1987
Texas Rangers 41971, 1985, 1990, 1996
Chicago White Sox31938, 1939, 1997
Detroit Tigers31936, 1958, 1960
Milwaukee Brewers31989, 1991, 1992
New York Giants31947, 1950, 1955
New York Yankees31940, 1952, 1956
Boston Red Sox21937, 1941
Cleveland Indians21938, 1954
Pittsburgh Pirates21948, 1949
St. Louis Browns21944, 1946
Houston Astros11973
Los Angeles Dodgers11962