Every MLB Player to Win Back-to-Back MVP Awards

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Shohei Ohtani continues to amaze and etch his name into the history books alongside the very best players to ever step onto a baseball diamond. Ohtani on Thursday night can add to his legend by securing the 2025 National League MVP, which would be his second straight NL MVP and third straight league MVP overall. It's potentially a stunning achievement, but it can be easy for the incredible feat to get lost amongst a whole score of other impressive accomplishments that Ohtani has recently boasted—a three-homer, 10-strikeout performance for the ages, reaching base nine times in World Series Game 3, etc.
But in winning consecutive MVP awards from '23 to '24, Ohtani is already a member of an exclusive club.
Every player who has won back-to-back MVP awards in MLB history
Player | League | Years |
|---|---|---|
Shohei Ohtani | American, National | 2023 (AL), ‘24 (NL) |
Miguel Cabrera | AL | 2012, ’13 |
Albert Pujols | NL | 2008, ’09 |
Barry Bonds | NL | 2001 to ’04 |
Frank Thomas | AL | 1993, ’94 |
Barry Bonds | NL | 1992, ’93 |
Dale Murphy | NL | 1982, ’83 |
Mike Schmidt | NL | 1980, ’81 |
Joe Morgan | NL | 1975, ’76 |
Roger Maris | AL | 1960, ’61 |
Ernie Banks | NL | 1958,’ 59 |
Mickey Mantle | AL | 1956, ’57 |
Yogi Berra | AL | 1954, ’55 |
Hal Newhouser | AL | 1944, ’45 |
Jimmie Foxx | AL | 1932, ’33 |
How does Ohtani stand out among back-to-back MVP winners?
Well for starters, Ohtani is the only two-way player on this list. That alone is remarkable and puts him in a class completely by himself among players in this prestigious club. But he's also following in the footsteps of a select few on the list as well.
Among the list of back-to-back winners, Ohtani could become the second to win a third straight MVP and fourth MVP overall, joining Bonds, as well as the second to be a member of a back-to-back World Series-winning roster and an MVP in the same season, joining Morgan. Ohtani, who in '24 played his first season with the Dodgers, would become just the second player to win back-to-back MVP awards in his first two seasons with a franchise, joining Maris. Lastly, Ohtani would join Schmidt on the list as the only players to win a regular season MVP and a LCS or World Series MVP in the same season.
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Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.
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