# League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award

The League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players deemed to have the most impact on their teams' performances in each of the two respective League Championship Series that comprise the penultimate round of the MLB postseason. The award is given separately for a player in both the American League Championship Series and the National League Championship Series. It has been presented in the National League (NL) since 1977, and in the American League (AL) since 1980. Dusty Baker won the inaugural award in 1977 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Frank White won the first AL award in 1980 with the Kansas City Royals. Twelve LCS MVP winners have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Roberto Alomar, George Brett, Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, David Ortiz, Kirby Puckett, CC Sabathia, Ozzie Smith, Mariano Rivera, Iván Rodríguez, John Smoltz, and Willie Stargell.
Three players have won the award twice: Steve Garvey (1978, 1984), Dave Stewart (1990, 1993), and Orel Hershiser (1988, 1995). Incidentally, all three of these players won their two awards with two different teams. Nine players have gone on to win the World Series MVP Award in the same season in which they won the LCS MVP—eight from the NL and one from the AL. Three players have won while playing for the losing team in the series: Fred Lynn played for the 1982 California Angels; Mike Scott pitched for the 1986 Houston Astros; and Jeffrey Leonard played for the 1987 San Francisco Giants. Two players have shared the award in the same year three times, all in the NL; Rob Dibble and Randy Myers for the 1990 Cincinnati Reds, the Chicago Cubs' Jon Lester and Javier Báez in 2016, and Chris Taylor and Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017.
Nelson Cruz won the award in the 2011 ALCS after hitting 6 home runs in the series. Adolis García won the award after having 15 RBIs during the 2023 ALCS. Adam Kennedy won the 2002 ALCS MVP when he hit 3 home runs in 1 game; he had hit 7 during the regular season and hit 80 in his 14-year career. From the pitcher's mound, Steve Avery threw 16+1⁄3 innings without giving up a run in the 1991 NLCS, and John Smoltz amassed 19 strikeouts the following year. Liván Hernández won the 1997 NLCS MVP after winning his only start and earning a win out of the bullpen in relief; he struck out 16 in 10+2⁄3 innings. Daniel Murphy won the 2015 NLCS MVP after hitting home runs in six consecutive games (including the final two games of the preceding division series), setting a major league record for consecutive postseason games with a home run.
Liván Hernández (1997, NL) and his half-brother Orlando Hernández (1999, AL) are the only family pair to have won the award. The only rookies to have won the award are Mike Boddicker (1983, AL), Liván Hernández (1997, NL), Michael Wacha (2013, NL), Randy Arozarena (2020, AL) and Jeremy Peña (2022, AL).

## Key

| Year | Links to the article about that corresponding ALCS or NLCS |
| † | Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame |
| * | Indicates that the player won the World Series MVP Award the same year |
| § | Indicates losing team in the series |
| ^ | Indicates multiple award winners in the same year |
| (#) | Indicates number of times winning League Championship Series MVP at that point (if he won multiple times) |

## American League winners

| Year | Player | Team | Position | Selected statistics |
| 1980 | Frank White | Kansas City Royals | Second baseman | .545 batting average 1 home run 3 runs batted in |
| 1981 | Graig Nettles | New York Yankees | Third baseman | .500 batting average 3 extra-base hits 9 runs batted in |
| 1982 | Fred Lynn | California Angels$^§$ | Outfielder | .611 batting average 11 hits 5 runs batted in |
| 1983 | Mike Boddicker | Baltimore Orioles | Starting pitcher | 1–0 record over 1 start; 1 shutout 9 scoreless innings pitched 14 strikeouts |
| 1984 | Kirk Gibson | Detroit Tigers | Outfielder | .417 batting average 1 home run 2 runs batted in |
| 1985 | George Brett$^†$ | Kansas City Royals | Third baseman | .348 batting average 3 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 1986 | Marty Barrett | Boston Red Sox | Second baseman | .367 batting average 11 hits 5 runs batted in |
| 1987 | Gary Gaetti | Minnesota Twins | Third baseman | .300 batting average 2 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 1988 | Dennis Eckersley$^†$ | Oakland Athletics | Relief pitcher | 4 saves over 4 appearances 6 scoreless innings pitched 5 strikeouts |
| 1989 | Rickey Henderson$^†$ | Oakland Athletics | Outfielder | .400 batting average 2 home runs 8 stolen bases |
| 1990 | Dave Stewart | Oakland Athletics | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 2 runs allowed over 16 innings 0.63 WHIP |
| 1991 | Kirby Puckett$^†$ | Minnesota Twins | Outfielder | .429 batting average 2 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 1992 | Roberto Alomar$^†$ | Toronto Blue Jays | Second baseman | .423 batting average 2 home runs 4 runs batted in |
| 1993 | Dave Stewart (2) | Toronto Blue Jays | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 3 runs allowed over 13+1⁄3 innings 8 strikeouts |
| 1994 | Series cancelled due to player's strike | Series cancelled due to player's strike | Series cancelled due to player's strike | Series cancelled due to player's strike |
| 1995 | Orel Hershiser (2) | Cleveland Indians | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 2 earned runs allowed over 14 innings 15 strikeouts |
| 1996 | Bernie Williams | New York Yankees | Outfielder | .474 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in |
| 1997 | Marquis Grissom | Cleveland Indians | Outfielder | Game-winning home run in 8th inning of Game 2 6 hits 3 stolen bases |
| 1998 | David Wells | New York Yankees | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 5 runs allowed over 15+2⁄3 innings 18 strikeouts |
| 1999 | Orlando Hernández | New York Yankees | Starting pitcher | 1–0 record over 2 games started 3 earned runs allowed over 15 innings 13 strikeouts |
| 2000 | David Justice | New York Yankees | Outfielder | .824 OPS 2 home runs 8 runs batted in |
| 2001 | Andy Pettitte | New York Yankees | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 4 runs allowed over 14+1⁄3 innings 8 strikeouts |
| 2002 | Adam Kennedy | Anaheim Angels | Second baseman | .357 batting average 3 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 2003 | Mariano Rivera$^†$ | New York Yankees | Relief pitcher | 1 win and 2 saves over 4 appearances 1 run allowed over 8 innings 6 strikeouts |
| 2004 | David Ortiz$^†$ | Boston Red Sox | Designated hitter | .387 batting average 3 home runs 11 runs batted in |
| 2005 | Paul Konerko | Chicago White Sox | First baseman | .286 batting average 2 home runs 7 runs batted in |
| 2006 | Plácido Polanco | Detroit Tigers | Second baseman | .529 batting average 9 hits 2 runs batted in |
| 2007 | Josh Beckett | Boston Red Sox | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 3 runs allowed over 14 innings 18 strikeouts |
| 2008 | Matt Garza | Tampa Bay Rays | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 2 runs allowed over 13 innings 14 strikeouts |
| 2009 | CC Sabathia$^†$ | New York Yankees | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 2 runs allowed over 16 innings 12 strikeouts |
| 2010 | Josh Hamilton | Texas Rangers | Outfielder | .350 batting average 4 home runs 7 runs batted in |
| 2011 | Nelson Cruz | Texas Rangers | Outfielder | .364 batting average 6 home runs 13 runs batted in |
| 2012 | Delmon Young | Detroit Tigers | Designated hitter | .353 batting average 2 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 2013 | Koji Uehara | Boston Red Sox | Relief pitcher | 1 win and 3 saves over 5 appearances 6 scoreless innings pitched 9 strikeouts |
| 2014 | Lorenzo Cain | Kansas City Royals | Outfielder | .533 batting average 5 runs scored 8 hits |
| 2015 | Alcides Escobar | Kansas City Royals | Shortstop | .478 batting average 11 hits 6 runs scored |
| 2016 | Andrew Miller | Cleveland Indians | Relief pitcher | 1 save in 4 appearances 0 runs allowed over 7+2⁄3 innings 14 strikeouts |
| 2017 | Justin Verlander | Houston Astros | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started; 1 complete game 1 run allowed over 16 innings 21 strikeouts |
| 2018 | Jackie Bradley Jr. | Boston Red Sox | Center fielder | 9 runs batted in 2 home runs 1.067 OPS |
| 2019 | Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | Second baseman | Series-winning walk-off home run .348 batting average 6 runs scored / 3 runs batted in |
| 2020 | Randy Arozarena | Tampa Bay Rays | Outfielder | .321 batting average 4 home runs 1.152 OPS |
| 2021 | Yordan Alvarez | Houston Astros | Designated hitter | .522 batting average 7 runs scored / 6 runs batted in 1.408 OPS |
| 2022* | Jeremy Peña | Houston Astros | Shortstop | .353 batting average 7 runs scored / 5 runs batted in .991 OPS |
| 2023 | Adolis García | Texas Rangers | Outfielder | 5 home runs 1 grand slam 15 runs batted in |
| 2024 | Giancarlo Stanton | New York Yankees | Designated hitter | 4 home runs 7 runs batted in 1.222 OPS |

## National League winners

| Year | Player | Team | Position | Selected statistics |
| 1977 | Dusty Baker | Los Angeles Dodgers | Outfielder | .357 batting average 2 home runs 8 runs batted in |
| 1978 | Steve Garvey | Los Angeles Dodgers | First baseman | .389 batting average 4 home runs 7 runs batted in |
| 1979* | Willie Stargell$^†$ | Pittsburgh Pirates | First baseman | .455 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in |
| 1980 | Manny Trillo | Philadelphia Phillies | Second baseman | .381 batting average 8 hits 4 runs batted in |
| 1981 | Burt Hooton | Los Angeles Dodgers | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 0 earned runs allowed over 14+2⁄3 innings 1.16 WHIP |
| 1982* | Darrell Porter | St. Louis Cardinals | Catcher | .556 batting average 5 hits; 3 doubles 5 walks |
| 1983 | Gary Matthews | Philadelphia Phillies | Outfielder | .429 batting average 3 home runs 8 runs batted in |
| 1984 | Steve Garvey (2) | San Diego Padres | First baseman | .400 batting average Walk-off home run in Game 4 7 runs batted in |
| 1985 | Ozzie Smith$^†$ | St. Louis Cardinals | Shortstop | .435 batting average Walk-off home run in Game 5 3 runs batted in |
| 1986 | Mike Scott | Houston Astros$^§$ | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started; both were complete games - 1 shutout 1 run allowed over 18 innings 19 strikeouts |
| 1987 | Jeffrey Leonard | San Francisco Giants$^§$ | Outfielder | .417 batting average 4 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 1988* | Orel Hershiser | Los Angeles Dodgers | Pitcher | 1–0 record and 1 save over 4 appearances; 3 starts - 1 shutout 3 earned runs allowed over 24+2⁄3 innings 15 strikeouts |
| 1989 | Will Clark | San Francisco Giants | First baseman | .650 batting average 13 hits 8 runs batted in |
| 1990$^^$ | Rob Dibble | Cincinnati Reds | Relief pitcher | 1 save over 4 appearances 5 scoreless innings pitched 10 strikeouts |
| 1990$^^$ | Randy Myers | Cincinnati Reds | Relief pitcher | 3 saves over 4 appearances 5+2⁄3 scoreless innings pitched 7 strikeouts |
| 1991 | Steve Avery | Atlanta Braves | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 16+1⁄3 scoreless innings pitched 17 strikeouts |
| 1992 | John Smoltz$^†$ | Atlanta Braves | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 3 games started 6 earned runs allowed over 20+1⁄3 innings 19 strikeouts |
| 1993 | Curt Schilling | Philadelphia Phillies | Starting pitcher | 2 no-decisions over 2 games started 3 earned runs allowed over 16 innings pitched 19 strikeouts |
| 1994 | Series cancelled due to player's strike | Series cancelled due to player's strike | Series cancelled due to player's strike | Series cancelled due to player's strike |
| 1995 | Mike Devereaux | Atlanta Braves | Outfielder | .308 batting average 1 home run 5 runs batted in |
| 1996 | Javy López | Atlanta Braves | Catcher | .542 batting average 5 doubles/ 2 home runs 6 runs batted in |
| 1997* | Liván Hernández | Florida Marlins | Starting pitcher | 2 wins over 2 appearances; 1 relief appearance and 1 start which was a complete game 1 run allowed over 10+2⁄3 innings 16 strikeouts |
| 1998 | Sterling Hitchcock | San Diego Padres | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 1 run allowed over 10 innings 14 strikeouts |
| 1999 | Eddie Pérez | Atlanta Braves | Catcher | .500 batting average 2 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 2000 | Mike Hampton | New York Mets | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout 16 scoreless innings pitched 12 strikeouts |
| 2001 | Craig Counsell | Arizona Diamondbacks | Infielder | .381 batting average 4 runs batted in 5 runs scored |
| 2002 | Benito Santiago | San Francisco Giants | Catcher | .300 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted in |
| 2003 | Iván Rodríguez$^†$ | Florida Marlins | Catcher | .321 batting average 2 home runs 10 runs batted in |
| 2004 | Albert Pujols | St. Louis Cardinals | First baseman | .500 batting average 4 home runs 9 runs batted in |
| 2005 | Roy Oswalt | Houston Astros | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 2 runs allowed over 14 innings 12 strikeouts |
| 2006 | Jeff Suppan | St. Louis Cardinals | Starting pitcher | 1–0 record over 2 games started 1 run allowed over 15 innings 1 home run hit in Game 3 |
| 2007 | Matt Holliday | Colorado Rockies | Outfielder | .333 batting average 2 home runs 4 runs batted in |
| 2008* | Cole Hamels | Philadelphia Phillies | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 3 runs allowed over 14 innings 13 strikeouts |
| 2009 | Ryan Howard | Philadelphia Phillies | First baseman | .333 batting average 2 home runs and 8 runs batted in Tied Lou Gehrig's record for most consecutive postseason games with a run batted in (8) |
| 2010 | Cody Ross | San Francisco Giants | Outfielder | .350 batting average 3 home runs 5 runs batted in |
| 2011* | David Freese | St. Louis Cardinals | Third baseman | .545 batting average 3 home runs 9 runs batted in |
| 2012 | Marco Scutaro | San Francisco Giants | Second baseman | .500 batting average 14 hits 4 runs batted in |
| 2013 | Michael Wacha | St. Louis Cardinals | Starting pitcher | 2–0 record over 2 games started 13+2⁄3 scoreless innings pitched 13 strikeouts |
| 2014* | Madison Bumgarner | San Francisco Giants | Starting pitcher | 1–0 record over 2 games started 3 runs allowed over 15+2⁄3 innings 12 strikeouts |
| 2015 | Daniel Murphy | New York Mets | Infielder | .529 batting average 4 home runs 6 runs batted in Major league record for hitting home runs in 6 consecutive playoff games. |
| 2016$^^$ | Jon Lester | Chicago Cubs | Starting pitcher | 1–0 record over 2 games started 2 runs allowed over 13 innings 9 strikeouts |
| 2016$^^$ | Javier Báez | Chicago Cubs | Infielder | .368 batting average 7 hits; 4 doubles 5 runs batted in |
| 2017$^^$ | Justin Turner | Los Angeles Dodgers | Third baseman | 1.402 OPS 6 runs batted in Walk-off home run to win Game 2 |
| 2017$^^$ | Chris Taylor | Los Angeles Dodgers | Outfielder | 1.221 OPS 3 runs batted in 2 home runs |
| 2018 | Cody Bellinger | Los Angeles Dodgers | First baseman | 1 home run 4 runs batted in Walk-off single to win Game 4 |
| 2019 | Howie Kendrick | Washington Nationals | Second baseman | .333 batting average (5-for-15) 4 runs batted in 4 runs scored |
| 2020* | Corey Seager | Los Angeles Dodgers | Shortstop | 11 runs batted in 5 home runs |
| 2021 | Eddie Rosario | Atlanta Braves | Outfielder | .560 batting average 9 runs batted in 3 home runs 1.647 OPS |
| 2022 | Bryce Harper | Philadelphia Phillies | Designated hitter | .400 batting average 5 runs batted in 2 home runs 1.250 OPS |
| 2023 | Ketel Marte | Arizona Diamondbacks | Second baseman | .387 batting average 3 runs batted in .987 OPS Walk-off single to win Game 3 |
| 2024 | Tommy Edman | Los Angeles Dodgers | Shortstop | .407 batting average 11 hits 11 runs batted in 1.023 OPS |