From its colorful beginnings more than a century ago, baseball's annual Most Valuable Player Award has become the most prestigious (and contentious) individual honor in the sport. No accolade means more to players, fans or the media. No other award can claim a voting history so rich in alleged snubs, grudges, conspiracies and incompetence. Examining the most controversial ballots, this book attempts to settle some arguments and answer some compelling questions: Which of the so-called "worst MVPs" holds up to modern statistical analysis? Who cast the single worst vote in MVP history? Does racial bias influence the vote? Who really deserved the award in a given year?

From its colorful beginnings more than a century ago, baseball's annual Most Valuable Player Award has become the most prestigious (and contentious) individual honor in the sport. No accolade means more to players, fans or the media. No other award can claim a voting history so rich in alleged snubs, grudges, conspiracies and incompetence. Examining the most controversial ballots, this book attempts to settle some arguments and answer some compelling questions: Which of the so-called "worst MVPs" holds up to modern statistical analysis? Who cast the single worst vote in MVP history? Does racial bias influence the vote? Who really deserved the award in a given year?

From its colorful beginnings more than a century ago, baseball's annual Most Valuable Player Award has become the most prestigious (and contentious) individual honor in the sport. No accolade means more to players, fans or the media. No other award can claim a voting history so rich in alleged snubs, grudges, conspiracies and incompetence. Examining the most controversial ballots, this book attempts to settle some arguments and answer some compelling questions: Which of the so-called "worst MVPs" holds up to modern statistical analysis? Who cast the single worst vote in MVP history? Does racial bias influence the vote? Who really deserved the award in a given year?

Ted Williams tells of his childhood, his military experience, and his baseball career.

Years after being banned from Major League Baseball "for life" because of alleged sports gambling, Pete Rose continues to be a colorful and controversial newsmaker. His frequent appeals to Commissioner Bud Selig for reinstatement have had the overwhelming support of fans, reflecting the enthusiasm Rose brought to the game and the passion he has generated over the years. Rose played twenty-four seasons before retiring in 1986 with numerous records: most career hits (4,256), most games played (3,562), most at-bats (14,053), most seasons with 200 or more hits (10), and most winning games played in (1,972). During a career with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos, Rose was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1963 and its Most Valuable Player in 1973. In addition to winning three batting titles and two Gold Glove Awards, he also was the World Series MVP with Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine" team that won the 1975 world championship. In Pete Rose: Baseball's Charlie Hustle, dozens of the people who know him best -- teammates, opposing players, friends, fans, hometown acquaintances, and baseball experts -- share their memories of the man and the player. Among the many aspects of his life explored are his competitive zeal even as a Little Leaguer, his athletic success in high school, his on-field scrapes and collisions, his leadership role on the Big Red Machine, his leaving the Reds to join the Phillies, his record-setting 44-game hitting streak, his pursuit of Ty Cobb's all-time hits record, his turbulent days as manager of the Reds, his banishment from baseball, and his various enterprises after baseball. Book jacket.

Joe DiMaggio captured the1941 American League MVP Award after his 56-game hitting streak made headlines much of the summer. Ted Williams, despite his .401 batting average, finished second. In 1998, Sammy Sosa beat out Mark McGwire for the National League's award despite McGwire's record-setting 70 home runs that season. On a handful of occasions, the voters gave the hardware to a pitcher, though pitchers have their own version of the MVP in the Cy Young Award. The bestowing of the MVP award is one of the most anticipated announcements in major league baseball. Yet much controversy also shrouds this coveted title. What athletic characteristics, feats, records and statistics distinguish a player as an MVP award winner? How many players are in the running, and how is it decided which player will receive the distinction? This biographical dictionary profiles every MVP ballplayer from 1931 to 2001, providing detailed statistics, personal background and career highlights. A summary of each general baseball season for both leagues is provided, and the other top four contenders for MVP that year are also listed with the number of votes each player received.