Awarded for | Major Leaguers recognize the on-field and off-field achievements of their peers through the Players Trust’s Players Choice Awards program. |
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Location | Dallas, Texas (2018) |
Presented by | Major League Baseball Players Association |
History | |
First award | 1992 |
Most recent | 2022 |
Website | playerstrust |
The Players Choice Awards are annual Major League Baseball awards,[1] given by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).
The Players Choice Awards are given following a secret ballot by players.[2][3] Four awards go to a player in each league, while two awards each go to one player in all of Major League Baseball. Prize money is donated to a charity of each winner's choice.[4]
The first Players Choice Awards were given in 1992, to the Comeback Player in each of the two major leagues. There were no other awards that year. In 1993, the Comeback Player awards were replaced by an Outstanding Player award for each league. Then, in 1994, two more categories were added: Outstanding Pitcher (in each league) and Outstanding Rookie (in each league).
In 1997, the dual Comeback Player awards were again named, along with the first-ever single award – the Man of the Year – for one player in all of Major League Baseball. In 1998, a second non-dual award was added, Player of the Year. In addition, the Man of the Year award was renamed in honor of Marvin Miller, former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. In 1999, a special Player of the Decade award was given.
In 2015, a third non-dual award was created. The "Always Game" award is given to the player who – game in and game out – constantly exhibits positive energy, grit, tenacity, hustle, perseverance, relentlessness and sportsmanship; all for the benefit of his teammates and fans.[5]
This award was first given in 1998.
Year | Winner | Team |
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1998 | Mark McGwire | St. Louis Cardinals |
1999 | Pedro Martínez | Boston Red Sox |
2000 | Carlos Delgado | Toronto Blue Jays |
2001 | Barry Bonds (1) | San Francisco Giants |
2002 | Alex Rodriguez (1) | Texas Rangers |
2003 | Albert Pujols (1) | St. Louis Cardinals |
2004 | Barry Bonds (2) | San Francisco Giants |
2005 | Andruw Jones | Atlanta Braves |
2006 | Ryan Howard | Philadelphia Phillies |
2007 | Alex Rodriguez (2) | New York Yankees |
2008 | Albert Pujols (2) | St. Louis Cardinals |
2009 | Albert Pujols (3) | St. Louis Cardinals |
2010 | Carlos González | Colorado Rockies |
2011 | Justin Verlander | Detroit Tigers |
2012 | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers |
2013 | Miguel Cabrera (2) | Detroit Tigers |
2014 | Clayton Kershaw | Los Angeles Dodgers |
2015 | Josh Donaldson | Toronto Blue Jays |
2016 | Jose Altuve | Houston Astros |
2017 | Jose Altuve (2) | Houston Astros |
2018 | J.D. Martinez | Boston Red Sox |
2019 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels |
2020 | Freddie Freeman | Atlanta Braves |
2021 | Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Angels |
2022 | Aaron Judge | New York Yankees |
This award is given to "the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement."[6] First given in 1997 (as the "Man of the Year" Award), it was renamed in 1998 in honor of Marvin Miller, former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
First handed out in 2020, this award is given to a former player, living or deceased, who in the image of Curt Flood demonstrated a selfless, longtime devotion to the Players Association and advancement of Players’ rights.
Year | Winner |
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2020 | Andre Dawson |
2021 | Mark Belanger |
2022 | Steve Rogers |
This award was first given in 2015. The award was not included in the list of 2018 winners.[7]
Year | Winner | Team |
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2015 | Jose Altuve | Houston Astros |
2016 | Jose Altuve (2) | Houston Astros |
2017 | Nolan Arenado | Colorado Rockies |
First awarded in 1993.
First awarded in 1994.
First awarded in 1994.
In 1992, this was the first ever Players Choice Award. There were no other awards that year. The Comeback Player award was not given from 1993 to 1996, although awards were given in other categories. In 1997, it was again awarded and has been ever since.
In 1999, a special Player of the Decade award was given to Ken Griffey Jr.