Revisiting The 1976 AL MVP Ballot

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The New York Yankees returned to prominence in 1976, capturing their first AL East title of the divisional play era that began in 1969. That success was reflected in the 1976 AL MVP ballot. Thurman Munson, catcher and team captain, won the award in a decisive vote. Here’s a look at the top 5 finishers, along with some notable down ballot performers.

Thurman Munson (C, NY Yanks)
.337 OBP/.432 slugging percentage
.302 batting average
*17 home runs/14 stolen bases
*105 RBIs//79 runs scored
Additional Notes: With our modern focus on OBP and slugging, Munson’s stats don’t jump out. But it’s important to remember that batting average and RBIs were much more valued by voters in this era. And while “intangibles” can be overrated, Munson was a definite leader of the Yankees at the game’s most physically demanding position. In the end, Thurman got 18 of 24 first-place votes and garnered a 90 percent share of the possible points.

George Brett (3B, Kansas City)
.377 OBP/.462 slugging percentage
.333 batting average
*21 stolen bases/7 home runs
*94 runs scored/67 RBIs
Additional Notes: Brett won a close race for the batting title and the Royals had a breakthrough season, capturing the AL West title. Brett picked up a pair of first-place votes and a healthy 65 percent vote share.

Mickey Rivers (CF, NY Yanks)
.327 OBP/.432 slugging percentage
.312 batting average
*43 stolen bases/8 home runs
*95 runs scored/67 RBIs
Additional Notes: Rivers was the table-setter and instigator for the aggressive running game that manager Billy Martin liked to employ. One voter was inspired enough to put The Mick at the top of the ballot, and the vote share was a solid 53 percent.

Hal McRae (DH, Kansas City)
.407 OBP/.461 slugging percentage
.332 batting average
*22 stolen bases/9 home runs
*75 runs scored/73 RBIs
Additional Notes: McRae’s OBP was the best in the league, and he narrowly missed out on the batting title. However, this is the point on the ballot where there is a big dropoff. Hal didn’t get any first-place votes and his vote share was 29 percent.

Rod Carew (1B, Minnesota)
.395 OPB/.463 slugging percentage
*331 batting average
*49 stolen bases/9 home runs
*97 runs scored/90 RBIs
Additional Notes: Carew got a single first-place nod, and a 21 percent vote share. The Twins were a contender, winning 85 games, finishing just five back of Kansas City in the old AL West, and posting the fifth-best record in the American League overall.

Notable Down the Ballot
Reggie Jackson (RF, Baltimore): Reggie only finished 16^th, but that’s because he held out for the first month of the season. With a .351 OBP/.502 slugging percentage, 27 homers, 28 steals, and 91 RBIs, Reggie was the MVP of the final five months. Of course, the problem is that his holdout put the Birds in a hole too big to climb out of.
Chris Chambliss (1B, NY Yanks): Chambliss batted .293 and finished with 96 RBIs
Amos Otis (CF, Kansas City): Otis got a first-place vote with 18 homers, 26 steals and good defense.
Lee May (1B, Baltimore): May’s 109 RBIs led the league
Graig Nettles (3B, NY Yanks): Nettles hit 32 home runs to lead the league.
Jim Palmer (SP, Baltimore): The Cy Young Award winner pitched 315 winnings, won 22 games and posted a 2.51 ERA.
Mark Fidrych (SP, Detroit): Pitching on a bad team, Fidrych still won 19 games with a league-leading 2.34 ERA. He actually got one MVP vote and finished second to Palmer for the Cy Young.

ANALYSIS

Carew got robbed, regardless of whether you use our modern statistical lens or just look at stats voters were more interested in back then. Moreover, Minnesota relied on their offense in a way that New York and Kansas City did not. The Yankees and Royals had good lineups, to be sure, but they also had the 1-2 pitching staffs in the American League based on composite ERA. By contrast, the Twins’ staff ERA was 9^th in a 12-team league. Carew was easily the best player on an offense that kept Minnesota in the hunt all year long. He should have won.

I also think Otis was underrated further down the ballot—an under appreciation that would follow him through his entire career. From the Yankee perspective, the question is how much you value intangibles. On the field, Rivers probably meant more to New York than Munson, given the importance of the leadoff hitter to Martin’s game plan. Mickey also had a reputation as a bit of clubhouse problem, while Thurman was the Captain and leader. While this stuff is obviously important, it’s also harder for those of us on the outside to really discern. My approach is to consider it, but not be ruled by it. That’s why I lean to The Mick for the runner-up spot.

My revised ballot would look like this:
1)Carew
2)Rivers
3)Munson
4)Brett
5)Otis