very good season - zero MVP votes

[ipitch]

In 1974, the NL MVP (Garvey) had 4.3 WAR, and 2nd place (Brock) had 3.4. Darrell Evans had a WAR of 7.1, but he received NO MVP votes. Are there any better seasons by players that didn't get any MVP votes? Obviously, since 1911 only, and not counting players that weren't eligible to win. Thanks.

[dgarza]

In 1974, the NL MVP (Garvey) had 4.3 WAR, and 2nd place (Brock) had 3.4. Darrell Evans had a WAR of 7.1, but he received NO MVP votes.

1973-1974 were very good (great) years for Evans. His defense was at its peak and his WAR was very high. But I can see how it's hard to vote MVP for a player who simply lead the league in Walks. His 25 HRs and .240 AVG don't hint at MVP all too strongly.

[dgarza]

Brett Gardner had a very good year in 2010 (7.0 WAR), but so much of his value was defense, he got overlooked.

[brett]

The absolute first one that comes to mind is Gary Carter 1977. .284 with 31 home runs, 84 RBI as a catcher with 5.2 WAR. What's more, he didn't make the all star team. He also was the starting catcher in 143 games and played 154. '83 was pretty good too but he did make the all star team that year.

Bobby Grich '75, '76, '80, '82, perhaps '83. In '75 he had 7 war. Its too bad he didn't play in an offensive era.

[dgarza]

Had to delete Wes Ferrell since there was no MVP vote in 1930.

[GiambiJuice]

Mets pitcher John Matlack had a WAR of 8.8 in 1974 despite his losing record. He didn't receive any MVP votes.

Andy Pettitte had 8.0 WAR in 1997 and didn't receive any MVP votes.

Frank Tanana had 8.0 WAR in 1977 and didn't receive any MVP votes.

[dgarza]

Mets pitcher John Matlack had a WAR of 8.8 in 1974 despite his losing record. He didn't receive any MVP votes.

Not even a CY vote! Pitching for the '74 Mets will get you a 13-15 record no matter how good you are...

[ipitch]

Thanks, guys. It looks like Matlack had the 2nd highest WAR in all of MLB too. Even a guy with a negative WAR (Jack Billingham) got some MVP and CY votes. But, not one for Matlack.

[ol' aches and pains]

The voters in 1974 probably didn't take WAR into account, since it didn't exist.

[dgarza]

Here's some good ones...

Let's drop WAR and remember that MVP often becomes a HR/RBI title award.

In 1996, Geronimo Berroa hit 36 HRs with 106 RBIs, .290 AVG. Just what voters are looking for, right? No MVP votes.

In 1999, Fernando Tatis hit 34 HRs with 107 RBIs, .298 AVG.

In 1961, Joe Adcock hit 35 HRs with 108 RBIs, .285 AVG.

In 1970, Tony Conigliaro hit 36 HRs with 116 RBIs, .266 AVG.

In 1937, Hal Trosky hit 32 HRs with 128 RBIs, .298 AVG.

[ipitch]

The voters in 1974 probably didn't take WAR into account, since it didn't exist.

Of course. I was just pointing out how ridiculous the voting was. Even without WAR, it's easier to see that Matlack was far better than Billingham.

[brett]

Of course. I was just pointing out how ridiculous the voting was. Even without WAR, it's easier to see that Matlack was far better than Billingham.

And its ironic that a guy got MVP support who we can see later was not even a replacement level player.

[dgarza]

And its ironic that a guy got MVP support who we can see later was not even a replacement level player.

The lowest I've seen so far is 1990, when Joe Carter received MVP votes with a -2.0 WAR. He had over 100 RBIs.

[brett]

The lowest I've seen so far is 1990, when Joe Carter received MVP votes with a -2.0 WAR. He had over 100 RBIs.

any idea who has the most RBI without a vote?

[dgarza]

any idea who has the most RBI without a vote?

In 1936, Moose Solters had 134 RBIs without a vote. That's the highest I've noticed so far.