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Boston Red Sox: Mookie Betts in good company as MVP runner-up

By Sean Penney

Sep 28, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) runs to first base after hitting an two run double against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) runs to first base after hitting an two run double against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 20, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Fans line up at gate B and surround the statues of former Red Sox players Ted Williams (not pictured), Bobby Doerr (not pictured), Johnny Pesky (not pictured), and Dom Dimaggio (not pictured) before the start of the 100th anniversary celebration and the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Fans line up at gate B and surround the statues of former Red Sox players Ted Williams (not pictured), Bobby Doerr (not pictured), Johnny Pesky (not pictured), and Dom Dimaggio (not pictured) before the start of the 100th anniversary celebration and the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Ted Williams

The legendary Ted Williams was the runner-up for MVP four times (1941, 1942, 1947, 1957). The Splendid Splinter won the batting title in each of those seasons, including one year when he hit an astounding .406, making him the last player to qualify for a batting title to hit over .400 in a season.

Williams’ ornery personality didn’t leave him with the best relationship with the media members that voted for the award, which may have cost him a trophy or two.

He also had the misfortune of playing in an era when the postseason format of today didn’t exist. Back in those days the top team in each league went to the World Series and MVP voters leaned heavily toward the top player on that team. Unfortunately for Williams, that team was rarely the Red Sox. In his 19 year career he only played in one World Series, a losing effort in 1946, the year Williams won the first of his two career MVP awards.

It also didn’t help that he competed against loaded New York Yankees teams boasting several all-time great players. He finished second to Joe DiMaggio twice, then a decade later fell short to Mickey Mantle.

Williams won the Triple Crown twice in his career, yet didn’t win the MVP in either season.

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