The 2024 Most Valuable Oriole will be named this morning, and we’ll find out if shortstop Gunnar Henderson wins again.
No player has received the award in consecutive seasons since center fielder Adam Jones in 2011-12. Jones also won in 2018.
Shortstop Miguel Tejada came close to winning it in both 2004 and 2006. Brian Roberts, the second baseman, prevented three in a row.
Rafael Palmeiro took first place in 1995, 1996, and 1998, while closer Randy Myers won in 1997.
Eddie Murray, a Hall of Famer, had an incredible run, winning it in 1978, ’81, ’82, ’83 (with Cal Ripken Jr.), 1984, ’85, and ’88. Outfielder Ken Singleton won the award three times in a six-year span beginning in 1975, while Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson did the same starting in 1960.
Frank Robinson, a Hall of Famer, became the first to win consecutive championships in 1966-67. First baseman Boog Powell came next in 1969-70, followed by Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer in 1972-73.
Is Henderson next?
His main competition should be right fielder Anthony Santander and starter Corbin Burnes. Pitcher Albert Suárez and outfielder Colton Cowser, who homered twice yesterday night, could possibly be on several three-man ballots.
Danny Coulombe, a reliever, had surgery in June to remove bone chips from his left elbow, forcing him to withdraw from the competition early. Infielder Jordan Westburg’s damaged hand harmed his campaign. Adley Rutschman, the catcher, struggled in the second half while batting.202/.284/.306, with three home runs after the break heading into last night’s game, undoubtedly kept him from becoming a two-time winner. He won in 2022.
Henderson began batting last night.282/.365/.537 with 28 doubles, seven triples, 37 home runs, 87 RBIs, 74 walks, and 20 stolen bases in 23 tries across 151 games. His 169 hits led the club, 34 more than second-placed Rutschman. His average, on-base percentage, slugging,.902 OPS, and 114 runs scored all placed first.
Henderson was also ranked first on FanGraphs’ list, with a 7.8 WAR. Cowser finished second at 3.6, followed by Burnes at 3.4 and Santander and Rutschman at 3.1.
The argument for Santander, who earned it during the COVID 2020 season but did not receive an on-field presentation, begins with his 43 home runs, which are third in the majors. He also leads the team with 99 RBIs, four more than his career high set last summer. His walk-off Thursday looms XL.
Burnes is in the Cy Young debate, which puts him in contention for his team’s award. The rotation has been torn apart by injuries and surgeries, but Burnes made his 22nd solid start Wednesday night, shutting out the Tigers in seven innings.
Only current players in the organization are eligible for MVO. That was a far bigger concern during the reconstruction and the deadline transactions that replaced veterans with prospects.
Also, there is likely to be at least one strange vote, which should be named after former second baseman Rougned Odor, who somehow made it onto a 2022 ballot while batting.207/.275/.357 for a minus-0.2 bWAR. Unfortunately, voters are not obligated to share their preferences with the public, as they do.
If you submitted a ballot that did not include Henderson, Santander, or Burnes, speak out and bear the criticism. And next year, you’ll only be able to vote for the best concession item or the finest parking places at Camden Yards and its surroundings.
The Orioles only reveal the players who garnered first-place votes. I will update this article later this morning.
Coulombe is more concerned about getting back on the active roster. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning last night, stranding two runners.
“Surgery is a tricky thing,” he explained. “It has a number of potential outcomes. I’m just grateful that everything went smoothly. For a 34-year-old guy, you just never know, but I’m just very thrilled to be back here with the guys.”
Coulombe received a video tribute and a standing ovation as he warmed up.
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve had anything like that,” he told me. “That was really cool. “So, thank you, Baltimore.”
“It was awesome seeing him out there,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “It’s also great for fan reactions. I know the players in the dugout appreciated it. What he’s done here for the previous two years, and how much we’ve missed him in the second half, I thought it was a lovely gesture to put some highlights on the scoreboard for someone who’s done so much here in the last two years.”
