05-09-2023, 07:30 AM
It's interesting to look at the effect of WAR on MVP balloting. The MVP is sometimes the WAR leader, unless the WAR leader is a pitcher...in 2021, former Giant Zach Wheeler led the league in WAR and finished 19th in the voting. But usually, the MVP's WAR is within shouting distance of the WAR leader that year.
Not so with Willie Stargell, co-MVP in 1979. The WAR leader that year was Dave Winfield with 8.3. Schmidt had a great year, it was the year that Kingman hit 48 HRs. Phil Niekro was third in WAR, though his record was 21-20 as he led the league in both wins and losses. Stargell finished 19th in WAR, with the lowest WAR recorded for an MVP, 2.5.
BTW, Bonds won seven MVPs, but led the league in WAR 11 times.
Not so with Willie Stargell, co-MVP in 1979. The WAR leader that year was Dave Winfield with 8.3. Schmidt had a great year, it was the year that Kingman hit 48 HRs. Phil Niekro was third in WAR, though his record was 21-20 as he led the league in both wins and losses. Stargell finished 19th in WAR, with the lowest WAR recorded for an MVP, 2.5.
BTW, Bonds won seven MVPs, but led the league in WAR 11 times.
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