Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award

In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is given annually to two outstanding rookie players, one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL), as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946.[1] The award became national in 1947; Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodgers' second baseman, won the inaugural award. One award was presented for all of MLB in 1947 and 1948; since 1949, the honor has been given to one player each in the NL and AL. Originally, the award was known as the J. Louis Comiskey Memorial Award, named after the Chicago White Sox owner of the 1930s. The award was renamed the Jackie Robinson Award in July 1987,[2] 40 years after Robinson broke the baseball color line.

Rookie of the Year Award
A man swings a bat; he is wearing a dark cap with a "B" on it and a jersey with the word "Dodgers" on his chest.
Jackie Robinson, the inaugural winner in 1947 and eventual namesake of the award
SportBaseball
LeagueMajor League Baseball
Awarded forBest regular-season rookie in American League and National League
History
First award1947
Most recentCorbin Carroll (NL)
Gunnar Henderson (AL)
WebsiteRookie of the Year

Nineteen players have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame—Robinson, seven AL players, and eleven others from the NL. The award has been shared twice: once by Butch Metzger and Pat Zachry of the NL in 1976; and once by John Castino and Alfredo Griffin of the AL in 1979. Members of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers have won the most awards of any franchise (with 18), twice the total of the New York Yankees, and members of the Philadelphia and Oakland Athletics (eight), who have produced the most in the AL. Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki are the only two players who have been named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same year, and Fernando Valenzuela is the only player to have won Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same year. Sam Jethroe is the oldest player to have won the award, at age 32,[3] 33 days older than 2000 winner Kazuhiro Sasaki (also 32).[4] Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles and Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks are the most recent winners.

Qualifications and voting

Hideo Nomo won in 1995, the first of several players to win with past professional baseball experience in Nippon Professional Baseball.

From 1947 through 1956, each BBWAA voter used discretion as to who qualified as a rookie. In 1957, the term was first defined as someone with fewer than 75 at-bats or 45 innings pitched in any previous Major League season.[1] This guideline was later amended to 90 at-bats, 45 innings pitched, or 45 days on a Major League roster before September 1 of the previous year.[1] The current standard of 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched, or 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club (excluding time in military service or on the injury list) before September 1 was adopted in 1971.[1][5]

Since 1980, each voter names three rookies: a first-place choice is given five points, a second-place choice three points, and a third-place choice one point. The award goes to the player who receives the most overall points.[1][6] Edinson Vólquez received three second-place votes in 2008 balloting despite no longer being a rookie under the award's definition.[7][8]

The award has drawn criticism in recent years because several players with experience in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) have won the award, such as Hideo Nomo in 1995, Kazuhiro Sasaki in 2000, Ichiro Suzuki in 2001, and Shohei Ohtani in 2018. The current definition of rookie status for the award is based only on Major League experience, but some feel that past NPB players are not true rookies because of their past professional experience. Others, however, believe it should make no difference since the first recipient and the award's namesake played for the Negro leagues before his MLB career and thus could also not be considered a "true rookie".[9][10] This issue arose in 2003 when Hideki Matsui narrowly lost the AL award to Ángel Berroa. Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune said he did not see Matsui as a rookie in 2003 because "it would be an insult to the Japanese league to pretend that experience didn't count."[9] The Japan Times ran a story in 2007 on the labeling of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Kei Igawa, and Hideki Okajima as rookies, saying "[t]hese guys aren't rookies."[10] Past winners such as Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe, and Sam Jethroe had professional experience in the Negro leagues.

Winners

Key

Cal Ripken Jr. won in 1982, and is one of 16 Hall of Famers to win Rookie of the Year honors.
YearLinks to the article about the corresponding Major League Baseball season
Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
^Denotes player who is still active
*Denotes year in which the award was shared
§Unanimous selection
+Denotes lead Major Leagues in that category

Major Leagues combined (1947–48)

YearPlayerTeamPositionSelected statisticsRef
1947Jackie RobinsonBrooklyn Dodgers1B[11]
1948Alvin DarkBoston BravesSS[12]

American League winners (1949–present)

Gunnar Henderson, 2023 AL winner
YearPlayerTeamPositionSelected statisticsRef
1949Roy SieversSt. Louis BrownsOF[13]
1950Walt DropoBoston Red Sox1B[14]
1951Gil McDougaldNew York Yankees3B[15]
1952Harry ByrdPhiladelphia AthleticsP[16]
1953Harvey KuennDetroit TigersSS[17]
1954Bob GrimNew York YankeesP[18]
1955Herb ScoreCleveland IndiansP
  • 2.85 earned run average
  • 227+13 innings pitched
  • 16–10 record in 32 games started
[19]
1956Luis AparicioChicago White SoxSS[20]
1957Tony KubekNew York YankeesSS[21]
1958Albie PearsonWashington SenatorsOF[22]
1959Bob AllisonWashington SenatorsOF[23]
1960Ron HansenBaltimore OriolesSS[24]
1961Don SchwallBoston Red SoxP[25]
1962Tom TreshNew York YankeesSS[26]
1963Gary PetersChicago White SoxP[27]
1964Tony OlivaMinnesota TwinsOF[28]
1965Curt BlefaryBaltimore OriolesOF[29]
1966Tommie AgeeChicago White SoxOF[30]
1967Rod CarewMinnesota Twins2B[31]
1968Stan BahnsenNew York YankeesP[32]
1969Lou PiniellaKansas City RoyalsOF[33]
1970Thurman MunsonNew York YankeesC[34]
1971Chris ChamblissCleveland Indians1B[35]
1972Carlton Fisk†§Boston Red SoxC[36]
1973Al BumbryBaltimore OriolesOF[37]
1974Mike HargroveTexas Rangers1B[38]
1975Fred LynnBoston Red SoxOF[39]
1976Mark FidrychDetroit TigersP[40]
1977Eddie MurrayBaltimore OriolesDH[41]
1978Lou WhitakerDetroit Tigers2B[42]
1979*John CastinoMinnesota Twins3B[43]
Alfredo GriffinToronto Blue JaysSS[44]
1980Joe CharboneauCleveland IndiansOF[45]
1981Dave RighettiNew York YankeesP[46]
1982Cal Ripken Jr.Baltimore OriolesSS[47]
1983Ron KittleChicago White SoxOF[48]
1984Alvin DavisSeattle Mariners1B[49]
1985Ozzie GuillénChicago White SoxSS[50]
1986Jose CansecoOakland AthleticsOF[51]
1987Mark McGwire§Oakland Athletics1B[52]
1988Walt WeissOakland AthleticsSS[53]
1989Gregg OlsonBaltimore OriolesP[54]
1990Sandy Alomar Jr.§Cleveland IndiansC[55]
1991Chuck KnoblauchMinnesota Twins2B[56]
1992Pat ListachMilwaukee BrewersSS[57]
1993Tim Salmon§California AngelsOF[58]
1994Bob HamelinKansas City RoyalsDH[59]
1995Marty CordovaMinnesota TwinsOF[60]
1996Derek Jeter†§New York YankeesSS[61]
1997Nomar Garciaparra§Boston Red SoxSS[62]
1998Ben GrieveOakland AthleticsOF[63]
1999Carlos BeltránKansas City RoyalsOF[64]
2000Kazuhiro SasakiSeattle MarinersP[65]
2001Ichiro SuzukiSeattle MarinersOF[66]
2002Eric HinskeToronto Blue Jays3B[67]
2003Ángel BerroaKansas City RoyalsSS[68]
2004Bobby CrosbyOakland AthleticsSS[69]
2005Huston StreetOakland AthleticsP[70]
2006Justin Verlander^Detroit TigersP[71]
2007Dustin PedroiaBoston Red Sox2B[72]
2008Evan LongoriaTampa Bay Rays3B[73]
2009Andrew BaileyOakland AthleticsP[74]
2010Neftalí FelizTexas RangersP[75]
2011Jeremy HellicksonTampa Bay RaysP[76]
2012Mike TroutLos Angeles AngelsOF[77]
2013Wil Myers^Tampa Bay RaysOF[78]
2014José AbreuChicago White Sox1B[79]
2015Carlos Correa^Houston AstrosSS[80]
2016Michael Fulmer^Detroit TigersP[81]
2017Aaron JudgeNew York YankeesOF[82]
2018Shohei Ohtani^Los Angeles AngelsP/DH[83]
2019Yordan ÁlvarezHouston AstrosDH/OF[84]
2020Kyle LewisSeattle MarinersOF[85]
2021Randy Arozarena^Tampa Bay RaysOF[86]
2022Julio Rodríguez^Seattle MarinersOF[87]
2023Gunnar Henderson^§Baltimore OriolesSS/3B[88]

National League winners (1949–present)

Corbin Carroll, 2023 NL winner
YearPlayerTeamPositionSelected statisticsRef
1949Don NewcombeBrooklyn DodgersP[89]
1950Sam JethroeBoston BravesOF[90]
1951Willie MaysNew York GiantsOF[91]
1952Joe BlackBrooklyn DodgersP[92]
1953Jim GilliamBrooklyn Dodgers2B[93]
1954Wally MoonSt. Louis CardinalsOF[94]
1955Bill VirdonSt. Louis CardinalsOF[95]
1956Frank Robinson†§Cincinnati RedsOF[96]
1957Jack SanfordPhiladelphia PhilliesP[97]
1958Orlando Cepeda†§San Francisco Giants1B[98]
1959Willie McCovey†§San Francisco Giants1B[99]
1960Frank HowardLos Angeles DodgersOF[100]
1961Billy WilliamsChicago CubsOF[101]
1962Ken HubbsChicago Cubs2B[102]
1963Pete RoseCincinnati Reds2B[103]
1964Dick AllenPhiladelphia Phillies3B[104]
1965Jim LefebvreLos Angeles Dodgers2B[105]
1966Tommy HelmsCincinnati Reds2B[106]
1967Tom SeaverNew York MetsP[107]
1968Johnny BenchCincinnati RedsC[108]
1969Ted SizemoreLos Angeles Dodgers2B[109]
1970Carl MortonMontreal ExposP[110]
1971Earl WilliamsAtlanta BravesC[111]
1972Jon MatlackNew York MetsP[112]
1973Gary MatthewsSan Francisco GiantsOF[113]
1974Bake McBrideSt. Louis CardinalsOF[114]
1975John MontefuscoSan Francisco GiantsP[115]
1976*Butch MetzgerSan Diego PadresP[116]
Pat ZachryCincinnati RedsP[117]
1977Andre DawsonMontreal ExposOF[118]
1978Bob HornerAtlanta Braves3B[119]
1979Rick SutcliffeLos Angeles DodgersP[120]
1980Steve HoweLos Angeles DodgersP[121]
1981Fernando ValenzuelaLos Angeles DodgersP[122]
1982Steve SaxLos Angeles Dodgers2B[123]
1983Darryl StrawberryNew York MetsOF[124]
1984Dwight GoodenNew York MetsP[125]
1985Vince Coleman§St. Louis CardinalsOF[126]
1986Todd WorrellSt. Louis CardinalsP[127]
1987Benito Santiago§San Diego PadresC[128]
1988Chris SaboCincinnati Reds3B[129]
1989Jerome WaltonChicago CubsOF[130]
1990David JusticeAtlanta BravesOF[131]
1991Jeff BagwellHouston Astros1B[132]
1992Eric KarrosLos Angeles Dodgers1B[133]
1993Mike Piazza†§Los Angeles DodgersC[134]
1994Raúl Mondesí§Los Angeles DodgersOF[135]
1995Hideo NomoLos Angeles DodgersP[136]
1996Todd HollandsworthLos Angeles DodgersOF[137]
1997Scott Rolen†§Philadelphia Phillies3B[138]
1998Kerry WoodChicago CubsP[139]
1999Scott WilliamsonCincinnati RedsP[140]
2000Rafael FurcalAtlanta BravesSS[141]
2001Albert Pujols§St. Louis Cardinals3B[142]
2002Jason JenningsColorado RockiesP[143]
2003Dontrelle WillisFlorida MarlinsP[144]
2004Jason BayPittsburgh PiratesOF[145]
2005Ryan HowardPhiladelphia Phillies1B[146]
2006Hanley RamírezFlorida MarlinsSS[147]
2007Ryan BraunMilwaukee Brewers3B[148]
2008Geovany SotoChicago CubsC[149]
2009Chris CoghlanFlorida MarlinsOF[150]
2010Buster PoseySan Francisco GiantsC[151]
2011Craig KimbrelAtlanta BravesP[152]
2012Bryce Harper^Washington NationalsOF[153]
2013José FernándezMiami MarlinsP[154]
2014Jacob deGrom^New York MetsP[155]
2015Kris BryantChicago Cubs3B[156]
2016Corey SeagerLos Angeles DodgersSS[157]
2017Cody BellingerLos Angeles Dodgers1B[158]
2018Ronald Acuña Jr.^Atlanta BravesOF[159]
2019Pete Alonso^New York Mets1B[160]
2020Devin Williams^Milwaukee BrewersP[161]
2021Jonathan India^Cincinnati Reds2B[162]
2022Michael Harris II^Atlanta BravesOF[163]
2023Corbin Carroll^ §Arizona DiamondbacksOF[164]

Wins by team

Every MLB franchise has had a Rookie of the Year. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers have won more than any other team with 18.

TeamsAwardsYears
Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers181947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1960, 1965, 1969, 1979–1982, 1992–1996, 2016, 2017
New York Yankees91951, 1954, 1957, 1962, 1968, 1970, 1981, 1996, 2017
Boston/Atlanta Braves1948, 1950, 1971, 1978, 1990, 2000, 2011, 2018, 2022
Philadelphia/Oakland Athletics81952, 1986–1988, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2009
St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles1949, 1960, 1965, 1973, 1977, 1982, 1989, 2023
Cincinnati Reds1956, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1976, 1988, 1999, 2021
Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins71958, 1959, 1964, 1967, 1979, 1991, 1995
St. Louis Cardinals61954, 1955, 1974, 1985, 1986, 2001
Boston Red Sox1950, 1961, 1972, 1975, 1997, 2007
New York/San Francisco Giants1951, 1958, 1959, 1973, 1975, 2010
Chicago White Sox1956, 1963, 1966, 1983, 1985, 2014
Chicago Cubs1961, 1962, 1989, 1998, 2008, 2015
New York Mets1967, 1972, 1983, 1984, 2014, 2019
Detroit Tigers51953, 1976, 1978, 2006, 2016
Seattle Mariners1984, 2000, 2001, 2020, 2022
Cleveland Guardians41955, 1971, 1980, 1990
Kansas City Royals1969, 1994, 1999, 2003
Philadelphia Phillies1957, 1964, 1997, 2005
Miami Marlins2003, 2006, 2009, 2013
Tampa Bay Rays2008, 2011, 2013, 2021
Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals31970, 1977, 2012
Los Angeles Angels1993, 2012, 2018
Houston Astros1991, 2015, 2019
Milwaukee Brewers1992, 2007, 2020
San Diego Padres21976, 1987
Toronto Blue Jays1979, 2002
Texas Rangers1974, 2010
Arizona Diamondbacks12023
Colorado Rockies2002
Pittsburgh Pirates2004

See also

References

General
  • "Rookie of the Year winners". Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  • "Rookie of the Year Awards & Rolaids Relief Award Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
Inline citations