League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award


The League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball 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 since 1977, and in the American League 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. The ten Hall of Famers to win LCS MVPs include Roberto Alomar, George Brett, Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, Kirby Puckett, Ozzie Smith, Willie Stargell, John Smoltz, Iván Rodríguez, and Mariano Rivera.
Three players have won the award twice: Steve Garvey, Dave Stewart, and Orel Hershiser. Incidentally, all three of these players won their two awards with two different teams. Seven players have gone on to win the World Series MVP Award in the same season in which they won the LCS MVP—all of them in the NL. 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.
Garvey, Leonard, and Albert Pujols hit four home runs in their winning series—Garvey in his first win. 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. David Ortiz had 11 runs batted in during the 2004 ALCS and Rodríguez had 10 during the 2003 NLCS—the only two players to reach double-digit RBIs in the series in the history of the award. From the pitcher's mound, Steve Avery threw 16 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 innings. Daniel Murphy won the 2015 NLCS MVP after hitting home runs in six consecutive games, setting a major league record.
Liván Hernández and his half-brother Orlando Hernández are the only family pair to have won the award. The only rookies to have won the award are Mike Boddicker, Liván Hernández, and Michael Wacha.

Key

American League winners

YearPlayerTeamPositionSelected statisticsRef
Kansas City RoyalsSecond baseman
New York YankeesThird baseman
  • .500 batting average
  • 3 extra-base hits
  • 9 runs batted in
    • California Angels§Outfielder
  • .611 batting average
  • 11 hits
  • 5 runs batted in
    • Baltimore OriolesStarting pitcher
  • 1–0 record over 1 start; 1 shutout
  • 9 scoreless innings pitched
  • 14 strikeouts
    • Detroit TigersOutfielder
  • .417 batting average
  • 1 home run
  • 2 runs batted in
    • †Kansas City RoyalsThird baseman
  • .348 batting average
  • 3 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • Boston Red SoxSecond baseman
  • .367 batting average
  • 11 hits
  • 5 runs batted in
    • Minnesota TwinsThird baseman
  • .300 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • †Oakland AthleticsRelief pitcher
  • 4 saves over 4 appearances
  • 6 scoreless innings pitched
  • 5 strikeouts
    • †Oakland AthleticsOutfielder
  • .400 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 8 stolen bases
    • Oakland AthleticsStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 2 runs allowed over 16 innings
  • 0.63 WHIP
    • †Minnesota TwinsOutfielder
  • .429 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • †Toronto Blue JaysSecond baseman
  • .423 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 4 runs batted in
    • Toronto Blue JaysStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 3 runs allowed over 13 innings
  • 8 strikeouts
    • ———Series cancelled due to player's strike
    Cleveland IndiansStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 2 earned runs allowed over 14 innings
  • 15 strikeouts
    • New York YankeesOutfielder
  • .474 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 6 runs batted in
    • Cleveland IndiansOutfielder
  • Game-winning home run in 8th inning of Game 2
  • 6 hits
  • 3 stolen bases
    • New York YankeesStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 5 runs allowed over 15 innings
  • 18 strikeouts
    • New York YankeesStarting pitcher
  • 1–0 record over 2 games started
  • 3 earned runs allowed over 15 innings
  • 13 strikeouts
    • New York YankeesOutfielder
  • .824 on-base plus slugging
  • 2 home runs
  • 8 runs batted in
    • New York YankeesStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 4 runs allowed over 14 innings
  • 8 strikeouts
    • Anaheim AngelsSecond baseman
  • .357 batting average
  • 3 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • †New York YankeesRelief pitcher
  • 1 win and 2 saves over 4 appearances
  • 1 run allowed over 8 innings
  • 6 strikeouts
    • Boston Red SoxDesignated hitter
  • .387 batting average
  • 3 home runs
  • 11 runs batted in
    • Chicago White SoxFirst baseman
  • .286 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 7 runs batted in
    • Detroit TigersSecond baseman
  • .529 batting average
  • 9 hits
  • 2 runs batted in
    • Boston Red SoxStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 3 runs allowed over 14 innings
  • 18 strikeouts
    • Tampa Bay RaysStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 2 runs allowed over 13 innings
  • 14 strikeouts
    • New York YankeesStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 2 runs allowed over 16 innings
  • 12 strikeouts
    • Texas RangersOutfielder
  • .350 batting average
  • 4 home runs
  • 7 runs batted in
    • Texas RangersOutfielder
  • .364 batting average
  • 6 home runs
  • 13 runs batted in
    • Detroit TigersDesignated hitter
  • .353 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • Boston Red SoxRelief pitcher
  • 1 win and 3 saves over 5 appearances
  • 6 scoreless innings pitched
  • 9 strikeouts
    • Kansas City RoyalsOutfielder
  • .533 batting average
  • 5 runs scored
  • 8 hits
    • Kansas City RoyalsShortstop
  • .478 batting average
  • 11 hits
  • 6 runs scored
    • Cleveland IndiansRelief pitcher
  • 1 save in 4 appearances
  • 0 runs allowed over 7 innings
  • 14 strikeouts
    • Houston AstrosStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started 1 complete game
  • 1 run allowed over 16 innings
  • 21 strikeouts
    • Jackie Bradley Jr.Boston Red SoxCenter fielder
  • 9 runs batted in
  • 2 home runs
  • 1.067 OPS
    • José AltuveHouston AstrosSecond baseman
  • Series-winning walk-off home run
  • .348 batting average
  • 6 runs scored / 3 runs batted in

    • National League winners

    YearPlayerTeamPositionSelected statisticsRef
    Los Angeles DodgersOutfielder
    • .357 batting average
    • 2 home runs
    • 8 runs batted in
    Los Angeles DodgersFirst baseman
  • .389 batting average
  • 4 home runs
  • 7 runs batted in
    • *†Pittsburgh PiratesFirst baseman
  • .455 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 6 runs batted in
    • Philadelphia PhilliesSecond baseman
  • .381 batting average
  • 8 hits
  • 4 runs batted in
    • Los Angeles DodgersStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 0 earned runs allowed over 14 innings
  • 1.16 WHIP
    • *St. Louis CardinalsCatcher
  • .556 batting average
  • 5 hits; 3 doubles
  • 5 walks
    • Philadelphia PhilliesOutfielder
  • .429 batting average
  • 3 home runs
  • 8 runs batted in
    • San Diego PadresFirst baseman
  • .400 batting average
  • Walk-off home run in Game 4
  • 7 runs batted in
    • †St. Louis CardinalsShortstop
  • .435 batting average
  • Walk-off home run in Game 5
  • 3 runs batted in
    • 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
    • San Francisco Giants§Outfielder
  • .417 batting average
  • 4 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • *Los Angeles DodgersPitcher
  • 1–0 record and 1 save over 4 appearances; 3 starts- 1 shutout
  • 3 earned runs allowed over 24 innings
  • 15 strikeouts
    • San Francisco GiantsFirst baseman
  • .650 batting average
  • 13 hits
  • 8 runs batted in
    • ^Cincinnati RedsRelief pitcher
  • 1 save over 4 appearances
  • 5 scoreless innings pitched
  • 10 strikeouts
    • ^Cincinnati RedsRelief pitcher
  • 3 saves over 4 appearances
  • 5 scoreless innings pitched
  • 7 strikeouts
    • Atlanta BravesStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 16 scoreless innings pitched
  • 17 strikeouts
    • †Atlanta BravesStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 3 games started
  • 6 earned runs allowed over 20 innings
  • 19 strikeouts
    • Philadelphia PhilliesStarting pitcher
  • 2 no-decisions over 2 games started
  • 3 earned runs allowed over 16 innings pitched
  • 19 strikeouts
    • ———Series cancelled due to player's strike
    Atlanta BravesOutfielder
  • .308 batting average
  • 1 home run
  • 5 runs batted in
    • Atlanta BravesCatcher
  • .542 batting average
  • 5 doubles/ 2 home runs
  • 6 runs batted in
    • *Florida MarlinsStarting pitcher
  • 2 wins over 2 appearances; 1 relief appearance and 1 start which was a complete game
  • 1 run allowed over 10 innings
  • 16 strikeouts
    • San Diego PadresStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 1 run allowed over 10 innings
  • 14 strikeouts
    • Atlanta BravesCatcher
  • .500 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • New York MetsStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started; 1 shutout
  • 16 scoreless innings pitched
  • 12 strikeouts
    • Arizona DiamondbacksInfielder
  • .381 batting average
  • 4 runs batted in
  • 5 runs scored
    • San Francisco GiantsCatcher
  • .300 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 6 runs batted in
    • †Florida MarlinsCatcher
  • .321 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 10 runs batted in
    • St. Louis CardinalsFirst baseman
  • .500 batting average
  • 4 home runs
  • 9 runs batted in
    • Houston AstrosStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 2 runs allowed over 14 innings
  • 12 strikeouts
    • St. Louis CardinalsStarting pitcher
  • 1–0 record over 2 games started
  • 1 run allowed over 15 innings
  • 1 home run hit in Game 3
    • Colorado RockiesOutfielder
  • .333 batting average
  • 2 home runs
  • 4 runs batted in
    • *Philadelphia PhilliesStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 3 runs allowed over 14 innings
  • 13 strikeouts
    • Philadelphia PhilliesFirst 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
    • San Francisco GiantsOutfielder
  • .350 batting average
  • 3 home runs
  • 5 runs batted in
    • *St. Louis CardinalsThird baseman
  • .545 batting average
  • 3 home runs
  • 9 runs batted in
    • San Francisco GiantsSecond baseman
  • .500 batting average
  • 14 hits
  • 4 runs batted in
    • St. Louis CardinalsStarting pitcher
  • 2–0 record over 2 games started
  • 13 scoreless innings pitched
  • 13 strikeouts
    • *San Francisco GiantsStarting pitcher
  • 1–0 record over 2 games started
  • 3 runs allowed over 15 innings
  • 12 strikeouts
    • New York MetsInfielder
  • .529 batting average
  • 4 home runs
  • 6 runs batted in
  • Major league record for hitting home runs in 6 consecutive playoff games.
    • ^Chicago CubsStarting pitcher
  • 1-0 record over 2 games started
  • 2 runs allowed over 13 innings
  • 9 strikeouts
    • ^Chicago CubsInfielder
  • .368 batting average
  • 7 hits; 4 doubles
  • 5 runs batted in
    • ^Los Angeles DodgersThird baseman
  • 1.402 OPS
  • 6 runs batted in
  • Walk-off home run to win Game 2
    • ^Los Angeles DodgersOutfielder
  • 1.221 OPS
  • 3 runs batted in
  • 2 home runs
    • Los Angeles DodgersFirst baseman
  • 1 home run
  • 4 runs batted in
  • .591 OPS
    • Washington NationalsSecond baseman
  • .333 batting average
  • 4 runs batted in
  • 4 runs scored