This is something that has interested me for a while. Which Season/League had the most legitimate MVP candidates. When I say legitimate, I mean you would not have been at all surprised to see that person win. For argument's sake, let's say every MVP winner is a legitimate candidate, no matter how disgraceful you think their selection was. Let's also just focus on the years from 1931-present.
In the 1941 AL, for example, there are only two legit candidates: DiMaggio and Williams. Anyone else would have shocked you. There may have been other excellent seasons, but you wouldn't expect anyone else to win it.
Right now, I can think of two season/leagues with four legit candidates:
1951 NL: Campanella (winner), Robinson, Kiner, Musial
1996 NL: Caminiti (winner), Bagwell, Bonds, Sheffield
I am not saying every candidate has to be equally as strong as the others, just that you would not be surprised if they had won. Can four be topped? Are there any other seasons from 1931-present with four?
In the 1941 AL, for example, there are only two legit candidates: DiMaggio and Williams. Anyone else would have shocked you. There may have been other excellent seasons, but you wouldn't expect anyone else to win it.
Right now, I can think of two season/leagues with four legit candidates:
1951 NL: Campanella (winner), Robinson, Kiner, Musial
1996 NL: Caminiti (winner), Bagwell, Bonds, Sheffield
I am not saying every candidate has to be equally as strong as the others, just that you would not be surprised if they had won. Can four be topped? Are there any other seasons from 1931-present with four?
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