Babe Ruth Award

The Babe Ruth Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player with the best performance in the postseason. The award, created in honor of Babe Ruth, was first awarded in 1949 to New York Yankee pitcher, Joe Page, the MVP of the World Series, one year after Ruth's death. The award was created by the New York City chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). It continued to be awarded exclusively for performances in the World Series until 2007, when the New York chapter of the BBWAA changed the award to cover the entire postseason. Though it is older than the World Series Most Valuable Player Award, which was not created until 1955 (as the "SPORT Magazine Award"), the Babe Ruth Award is considered less prestigious, because it is not sanctioned by MLB and is awarded several weeks after the World Series.

MLB expanded its postseason to include the League Championship Series (LCS) in 1969, the League Division Series (LDS) in 1995, and the Wild Card round in 2012. The Wild Card Series is a best-of-three playoff format, the LDS follows a best-of-five playoff format, and the LCS and World Series follow a best-of-seven playoff format. In 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers, won the 2020 World Series, but Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays was named winner of the Babe Ruth Award.

Ruth was a noted slugger who batted .326 with 15 home runs and three wins in three games started as a pitcher during World Series play. However, the Babe Ruth Award does not only go to sluggers or pitchers. Dick Green won the award for the 1974 World Series, in which he batted 0-for-13, but helped the Oakland Athletics win the series with his defense.

Joe Page of the New York Yankees was the first winner of the Babe Ruth Award, and Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox was the first winner since the award criteria changed to cover the entire postseason. In all, members of the Yankees have won the award sixteen times. Luis Tiant and Randy Arozarena are the only winners of the Babe Ruth Award to play for the World Series–losing team. Two players, Sandy Koufax and Jack Morris, have won the award twice.

Winners Key to table YearLinks to the article about that corresponding World SeriesPlayer Denotes winning player and number of times they had won the award at that point (if more than one)^Indicates multiple award winners in the same year*Indicates year when player did not win the World Series Most Valuable Player Award (1955–present)Member of the Baseball Hall of FameDenotes player who is still active§Indicates losing team in the series

Table of winners YearPlayerTeamPositionSelected statisticsRefNew York YankeesPitcher 1–0 record and 1 save in 3 appearances 2 earned runs allowed over 9 innings pitched 8 strikeoutsNew York YankeesSecond baseman .286 batting average 4 hits 3 runs batted inNew York YankeesShortstop .320 batting average 1 home run 3 runs batted inNew York YankeesFirst baseman .400 batting average 3 home runs 6 runs batted inNew York YankeesSecond baseman .500 batting average 12 hits 8 runs batted inNew York GiantsOutfielder 4 hits in 6 at bats 2 pinch hit home runs 7 runs batted inBrooklyn DodgersPitcher 2–0 record in 2 games started; both were complete games; 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 10 strikeoutsNew York YankeesPitcher 1–0 record in 2 games started; one perfect game 7 strikeouts Pitched first no-hitter in World Series historyMilwaukee BravesPitcher 3–0 record in 3 games started; all were complete games; 2 shutouts 2 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 13 strikeouts*New York YankeesCatcher .222 batting average Series-winning single in 8th inning of Game 7 4 runs scoredLos Angeles DodgersPitcher 2–0 record and 2 saves in 4 appearances 1 earned run allowed over innings pitched 5 strikeouts*Pittsburgh PiratesSecond baseman.320 batting average Series-winning walk-off home run in 9th inning of Game 7 5 runs batted inNew York YankeesPitcher 2–0 record in 2 games started; one shutout 14 scoreless innings pitched 7 strikeoutsNew York YankeesPitcher 2–1 record in 3 games started; two complete games; 1 shutout 5 earned runs allowed over 25 innings pitched 16 strikeoutsLos Angeles DodgersPitcher 2–0 record in 2 games started; both complete games 3 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 23 strikeoutsSt. Louis CardinalsPitcher 2–1 record in 3 games started; 2 complete games 27 innings pitched 31 strikeouts Los Angeles DodgersPitcher 2–1 record in 3 games started; two shutouts 1 earned run allowed over 24 innings pitched 29 strikeoutsBaltimore OriolesOutfielder .286 batting average 2 home runs 3 runs batted in*St. Louis CardinalsOutfielder .414 batting average 8 runs scored 7 stolen basesDetroit TigersPitcher 3–0 record in 3 games started; all were complete games 5 earned runs allowed over 27 innings pitched 21 strikeouts*New York MetsSecond baseman .455 batting average 1 home run 3 runs batted inBaltimore OriolesThird baseman .429 batting average 9 hits 6 runs batted inPittsburgh PiratesOutfielder .414 batting average 12 hits 4 runs batted inOakland AthleticsCatcher .348 batting average 4 home runs 9 runs batted in*Oakland AthleticsShortstop .290 batting average Series-winning home run in 3rd inning of Game 7 3 stolen bases in 3 attempts*Oakland AthleticsSecond baseman 0 hits in 13 at bats 1 run batted in and 1 run scored Participated in 6 double plays defensively in 5 games; Single-game record (tie) 3 double plays in Game 3*Boston Red SoxPitcher 2–0 record in 3 games started; 2 complete games; 1 shutout 25 innings pitched 12 strikeouts Cincinnati RedsCatcher .533 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted inNew York YankeesOutfielder .450 batting average 5 home runs 8 runs batted inNew York YankeesShortstop .417 batting average 10 hits 7 runs batted inPittsburgh PiratesFirst baseman .400 batting average 7 extra-base hits 7 runs batted in*Philadelphia PhilliesPitcher 1–1 record and 2 saves in 4 appearances 1 earned run allowed over innings pitched 10 strikeoutsLos Angeles DodgersThird baseman .350 batting average 1 home run 6 runs batted in*St. Louis CardinalsPitcher 1–0 record and 2 saves in 4 appearances innings pitched 6 strikeoutsBaltimore OriolesCatcher .385 batting average 4 doubles 2 runs batted in*Detroit TigersPitcher 2–0 record in 2 games started; both complete games 4 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 13 strikeoutsKansas City RoyalsPitcher 2–0 record in 2 games started; both were complete games; 1 shutout 1 earned run allowed over 18 innings pitched 10 strikeoutsNew York MetsThird baseman .391 batting average Series-winning home run in 7th inning of Game 7 5 runs batted inMinnesota TwinsPitcher 2–1 record in 3 games started 8 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 16 strikeoutsLos Angeles DodgersPitcher 2–0 record in 2 games started; both were complete games; 1 shutout 2 earned runs allowed over 18 innings pitched 17 strikeoutsOakland AthleticsPitcher 2–0 record in 2 games started; one shutout 3 earned runs allowed over 16 innings pitched 14 strikeouts*Cincinnati RedsOutfielder .750 batting average 9 hits; 4 doubles 6 runs scored Minnesota TwinsPitcher 2–0 record over 3 games started; 10-inning shutout in Game 7 3 earned runs allowed over 23 innings pitched 15 strikeouts*Toronto Blue JaysOutfielder.227 batting average 5 hits Series-winning 2 run batted in double in 11th inning of Game 6Toronto Blue JaysDesignated hitter .500 batting average 12 hits; 6 extra-base hits 8 runs batted inAtlanta BravesPitcher 2–0 record over 2 games started 2 earned runs allowed over 14 innings pitched 11 strikeouts*New York YankeesDesignated hitter .391 batting average 9 hits 2 runs batted in*Florida MarlinsOutfielder .321 batting average 3 home runs 9 runs batted inNew York YankeesThird baseman .471 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs batted inNew York YankeesPitcher 1–0 record and 2 saves in 3 appearances scoreless innings pitched 3 strikeoutsNew York YankeesShortstop .409 batting average 2 home runs 6 runs scored^Arizona DiamondbacksPitcher 3–0 record in 3 appearances (2 starts); one shutout 2 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 19 strikeoutsPitcher 1–0 record in 3 games started 4 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 26 strikeoutsAnaheim AngelsThird baseman .385 batting average 3 home runs 8 runs batted inFlorida MarlinsPitcher 1–1 record in 2 games started; one shutout 2 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 19 strikeouts*Boston Red SoxPitcher 1–0 record and 1 save in 4 appearances 1 earned run allowed over 5 innings pitched 8 strikeoutsChicago White SoxOutfielder .438 batting average Series-winning single in 8th inning of Game 4 3 runs batted inSt. Louis CardinalsShortstop .364 batting average 8 hits 4 runs batted inAward changed to cover performance in full post-season*Boston Red SoxPitcher 1–0 record and 4 saves in 7 appearances scoreless innings pitched 7 strikeoutsPhiladelphia PhilliesPitcher 4–0 record over 5 games started 7 earned runs allowed over 35 innings pitched (1.80 ERA) 30 strikeouts*New York YankeesThird baseman .365 batting average 6 home runs 18 runs batted in*San Francisco GiantsPitcher 4–1 record in 6 appearances (5 games started); 1 shutout 10 earned runs allowed over 37 innings pitched 43 strikeoutsSt. Louis CardinalsThird baseman .397 batting average 5 home runs Set postseason records with 50 total bases and 21 runs batted inSan Francisco GiantsThird baseman .364 batting average 6 home runs 13 runs batted inBoston Red SoxFirst baseman / Designated hitter .353 batting average 5 home runs 13 runs batted inSan Francisco GiantsPitcher 4–1 record and 1 save in 7 appearances (6 games started); 2 shutouts 1.03 ERA on 6 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 45 strikeouts*Kansas City RoyalsPitcher 1–0 record and 4 saves in 8 appearances scoreless innings pitched 18 strikeouts*Chicago CubsPitcher 3–1 record in 6 appearances 2.02 ERA on 8 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 30 strikeouts^Houston AstrosSecond baseman 7 home runs 14 RBIs .310 Batting averagePitcher 4–1 record, 1 complete game in 6 games started 38 strikeouts, 8 earned runs allowed over innings pitched 2017 American League Championship Series MVP*Boston Red Sox Pitcher 3–1 record in 6 appearances 23 strikeouts, 10 earned runs allowed over 26 innings pitched Winning pitcher of Games 2 & 5 in the World Series^Washington Nationals Outfielder .277 batting average 5 home runs 14 runs batted in Pitcher 5–0 record 1.98 ERA 47 strikeouts *Tampa Bay Rays Outfielder .377 batting average 10 home runs (an MLB record) 64 total bases*Atlanta Braves First baseman .304 batting average 5 home runs 11 runs batted inHouston Astros Shortstop .345 batting average 4 home runs 8 runs batted in*Texas Rangers Outfielder .323 batting average 8 home runs 22 runs batted in*Los Angeles DodgersOutfielder .290 batting average 4 home runs 16 runs batted inLos Angeles DodgersPitcher 5–1 record in 6 appearances (5 starts); two complete games 1.45 ERA

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