Nippon Professional Baseball Most Valuable Player Award
Introduction Sadaharu Oh, nine-time winner—more wins than any other playerThe  is an annual Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) award given to two outstanding players, one each for the Central League (CL) and Pacific League (PL).Each league's award is voted on by national baseball writers. Each voter selects three players: a first-place selection is given five points, a second-place selection three points, and a third-place selection one point. The award goes to the player who receives the most overall points. The winners are announced every year in November during Nippon Professional Baseball's awards ceremony called NBP Awards.The first recipient of the award was Eiji Sawamura. The most recent winners, in 2022, are Munetaka Murakami, from the Central League, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto , from the Pacific League. In 1940, Victor Starffin became the first player to win the award consecutively and multiple times. Eiji Sawamura and Kazuhisa Inao are the youngest players to receive the awards in 1937 and 1957, respectively, at the ages of 20.In 1988, Hiromitsu Kadota became the oldest player to receive the award at the age of 40.A majority of the MVP awards were given to players who played on the pennant winning team. There are a few cases where the MVP was awarded to a player who was not on the pennant winning team, however. These include 2 of Oh's MVP seasons in 1964 and 1974, Wladimir Balentien in 2013, Hisashi Iwakuma in 2008, and Hiromitsu Kadota in 1988.Only twice was the award given to a foreigner in both leagues; in 1989 with Ralph Bryant in the Pacific League and Warren Cromartie in the Central League, and in 2001 with Tuffy Rhodes in the Pacific League and Roberto Petagine in the Central League.
Key  '''Position''''''players''' '''RBIs''' Runs batted in '''AVG''' Batting average '''Pitchers''' '''Record'''  Record of decisions (tie games are omitted) '''Saves'''  Number of saves '''ERA'''  Earned run average (#)  Indicates number of times winning MVP Award (if multiple winner) *  Elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame
Winners ===Japanese Baseball League (1937–1949)===Eiji Sawamura won the first Japanese Baseball League MVP award before NPB was formed in 1950.Victor Starffin was the first player to win multiple MVP awards.Tetsuharu Kawakami was one of only two players to win the award before and after the formation of NPB. Season Player Team Position Selected statistics Notes  * Tokyo Kyojin Pitcher*0.81 earned run average*196 strikeouts*24–4 record in 30 appearances (24 games started)   Korakuen Eagles Catcher*.310 batting average*24 runs scored*17 doubles  * Tokyo Senators Second baseman*.299 batting average*5 home runs*11 doubles  * Tokyo Kyojin Outfielder*.361 batting average*10 home runs*38 RBIs  * Tokyo Kyojin Pitcher*282 strikeouts*38 complete games*42–15 record in 68 appearances (41 games started)  * (2) Tokyo Kyojin Pitcher*0.97 earned run average*16 shutouts*38–12 record in 55 appearances (42 games started)  * Tokyo Kyojin First baseman*.310 batting average*21 doubles*57 RBIs  * Tokyo Kyojin Second baseman*.225 batting average*10 doubles*16 RBIs  * Tokyo Kyojin Outfielder*.300 batting average*68 runs scored*54 stolen bases  * Hanshin Baseball Club Pitcher*1.56 earned run average*24 complete games*22–4 record in 31 appearances (24 games started)  Season canceled  * Great Ring Infielder*.314 batting average*95 RBIs*32 stolen bases  * (2) Osaka Tigers Pitcher*2.09 earned run average*10 shutouts*26–12 record in 43 appearances (35 games started)  * (2) Nankai Hawks Third baseman*.305 batting average*68 RBIs*23 stolen bases  * Osaka Tigers Third baseman*.332 batting average*46 home runs*142 RBIs===Nippon Professional Baseball (1950–present)=======Central League====Michihiro Ogasawara is one of only two players to win the award in the Central and Pacific Leagues.Masumi Kuwata, 1994 CL winnerKei Igawa, 2003 CL winnerKosuke Fukudome, 2006 CL winner Season Player Team Position Selected statistics Notes   *  Shochiku Robins Outfielder*.355 batting average*51 home runs*161 RBIs  * (2) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.377 batting average*27 doubles*81 RBIs  * Yomiuri Giants Pitcher*1.94 earned run average*371 innings pitched*33–13 record in 52 appearances (41 games started)   Yomiuri Giants Pitcher*1.86 earned run average*22 complete games*27–6 record in 43 appearances (29 games started)  * Chunichi Dragons Pitcher*1.39 earned run average*395 innings pitched*32–12 record in 63 appearances (32 games started)  * (3) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.338 batting average*12 home runs*79 RBIs  * (2) Yomiuri Giants Pitcher*1.93 earned run average*26 complete games*27–15 record in 54 appearances (35 games started)  * Yomiuri Giants Outfielder*.343 batting average*12 home runs*48 RBIs  * Yomiuri Giants Pitcher*1.53 earned run average*359 innings pitched*29–13 record in 58 appearances (36 games started)  * (2) Yomiuri Giants Pitcher*1.83 earned run average*24 complete games*27–11 record in 55 appearances (35 games started)  * Taiyo Whales Pitcher*1.75 earned run average*262 innings pitched*21–10 record in 59 appearances (26 games started)  * Yomiuri Giants Third baseman*.353 batting average*28 home runs*32 doubles  * Osaka Tigers Pitcher*1.20 earned run average*366 innings pitched*25–14 record in 57 appearances (38 games started)  * (2) Yomiuri Giants Third baseman*.341 batting average*37 home runs*112 RBIs  * Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.320 batting average*55 home runs*119 RBIs  * (2) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.322 batting average*42 home runs*104 RBIs  * (3) Yomiuri Giants Third baseman*.344 batting average*26 home runs*105 RBIs  * (3) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.326 batting average*47 home runs*108 RBIs  * (4) Yomiuri Giants Third baseman*.318 batting average*39 home runs*125 RBIs  * (4) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.345 batting average*44 home runs*125 RBIs  * (5) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.325 batting average*47 home runs*93 RBIs  Shigeo Nagashima* (5) Yomiuri Giants Third baseman*.320 batting average*34 home runs*86 RBIs  * Yomiuri Giants Pitcher*2.91 earned run average*26 complete games*26–9 record in 48 appearances (34 games started)  * (6) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.355 batting average*51 home runs*114 RBIs  * (7) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.332 batting average*49 home runs*107 RBIs  * Hiroshima Toyo Carp Outfielder*.319 batting average*86 runs scored*84 RBIs  * (8) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.325 batting average*49 home runs*123 RBIs  * (9) Yomiuri Giants First baseman*.324 batting average*50 home runs*124 RBIs  * Yakult Swallows Outfielder*.341 batting average*100 runs scored*71 RBIs   Hiroshima Toyo Carp Relief pitcher*2.67 earned run average*22 saves*9–5 record in 55 appearances  * (2) Hiroshima Toyo Carp Outfielder*.336 batting average*44 home runs*112 RBIs   Yomiuri Giants Starting pitcher*2.28 earned run average*20 complete games*20–6 record in 31 appearances (30 games started)   Chunichi Dragons Catcher*.282 batting average*18 home runs*47 RBIs  * Yomiuri Giants Third baseman*.302 batting average*32 home runs*103 RBIs  * Hiroshima Toyo Carp Infielder*.329 batting average*31 home runs*102 RBIs   Hanshin Tigers First baseman*.350 batting average*54 home runs*134 RBIs  * Hiroshima Toyo Carp Starting pitcher*2.43 earned run average*17 complete games*18–4 record in 30 games started   Yomiuri Giants Catcher*.273 batting average*22 home runs*66 RBIs   Chunichi Dragons Relief pitcher*1.95 earned run average*37 saves*7–6 record in 61 appearances   Yomiuri Giants Outfielder*.378 batting average*72 RBIs*33 doubles  * Yomiuri Giants Starting pitcher*2.17 earned run average*19 complete games*20–5 record in 27 games started   Hiroshima Toyo Carp Starting pitcher*2.44 earned run average*240 innings pitched*17–9 record in 33 appearances (31 games started)   Yakult Swallows Third baseman*.331 batting average*87 RBIs*38 home runs  * Yakult Swallows Catcher*.308 batting average*64.4 caught stealing percentage*90 runs scored   Yomiuri Giants Starting pitcher*2.52 earned run average*185 strikeouts*14–11 record in 28 appearances (27 games started)   Yakult Swallows First baseman*.302 batting average*31 home runs*87 RBIs  * Yomiuri Giants Outfielder*.314 batting average*38 home runs*97 runs scored  * (2) Yakult Swallows Catcher*.322 batting average*32 doubles*86 RBIs  * Yokohama BayStars Relief pitcher*0.64 earned run average*45 saves*1–1 record in 51 appearances   Chunichi Dragons Starting pitcher*2.65 earned run average*203 innings pitched*19–7 record in 29 games started  * (2) Yomiuri Giants Outfielder*.316 batting average*42 home runs*108 RBIs   Yakult Swallows First baseman*.322 batting average*39 home runs*127 RBIs  * (3) Yomiuri Giants Outfielder*.334 batting average*50 home runs*107 RBIs   Hanshin Tigers Starting pitcher*2.80 earned run average*206 innings pitched*20–5 record in 29 games started   Chunichi Dragons Starting pitcher*3.32 earned run average*192 innings pitched*17–7 record in 27 games started  * Hanshin Tigers Outfielder*.327 batting average*40 home runs*120 runs scored   Chunichi Dragons Outfielder*.351 batting average*47 doubles*117 runs scored   (2) Yomiuri Giants Third baseman*.313 batting average*31 home runs*95 runs scored   Yomiuri Giants Outfielder*.319 batting average*45 home runs*125 RBIs   (2) Yomiuri Giants Outfielder*.322 batting average*31 home runs*103 RBIs   Chunichi Dragons Outfielder*.339 batting average*37 home runs*93 RBIs   Chunichi Dragons Relief pitcher*0.41 earned run average*45 holds*7–2 record in 79 appearances   Yomiuri Giants Catcher*.340 batting average*27 home runs*104 RBIs   Tokyo Yakult Swallows Outfielder*.330 batting average*60 home runs*131 RBIs   Yomiuri Giants Starting pitcher*2.33 earned run average*122 strikeouts*12–5 record in 23 games started   Tokyo Yakult Swallows Second baseman*.329 batting average*38 home runs*34 stolen bases   Hiroshima Toyo Carp First baseman*.300 batting average*19 home runs*101 RBIs   Hiroshima Toyo Carp Outfielder*.308 batting average*109 runs scored*92 RBIs   (2) Hiroshima Toyo Carp Outfielder*.306 batting average*39 home runs*97 RBIs   Yomiuri Giants Shortstop*.312 batting average*40 home runs*94 RBIs   (2) Yomiuri Giants Pitcher*14 wins*1.97 ERA*131 strikeouts   Tokyo Yakult Swallows Third baseman*39  HR*112 RBI*106 BB   (2) Tokyo Yakult Swallows Third baseman*56 HR*134  RBI*.458  OBP====Pacific League====Hiromitsu Ochiai, two-time PL winnerNobuhiko Matsunaka, two-time PL winnerHideo Nomo, 1990 PL winnerKenji Johjima, 2003 PL winnerYu Darvish, 2007 PL winnerShohei Ohtani, 2016 PL winner Season Player Team Position Selected statistics Notes  * Mainichi Orions Outfielder*.335 batting average*43 home runs*105 RBIs  * (3) Nankai Hawks Second baseman*.311 batting average*21 doubles*58 RBIs   Nankai Hawks Pitcher*1.91 earned run average*104 strikeouts*19–7 record in 40 appearances (17 games started)   Nankai Hawks Second baseman*.318 batting average*19 home runs*77 RBIs  * Nishitetsu Lions Outfielder*.321 batting average*22 home runs*88 RBIs  * Nankai Hawks Outfielder*.310 batting average*42 stolen bases*75 RBIs  * Nishitetsu Lions Third baseman*.325 batting average*29 home runs*95 RBIs  * Nishitetsu Lions Pitcher*1.37 earned run average*373 innings pitched*35–6 record in 68 appearances (33 games started)  * (2) Nishitetsu Lions Pitcher*1.42 earned run average*373 innings pitched*33–10 record in 72 appearances (31 games started)  * Nankai Hawks Pitcher*1.40 earned run average*336 strikeouts*38–4 record in 69 appearances (35 games started)  * Daimai Orions Outfielder*.313 batting average*32 home runs*103 RBIs  * Nankai Hawks Catcher*.296 batting average*29 home runs*89 RBIs  * Toei Flyers Outfielder*.333 batting average*31 home runs*99 RBIs  * (2) Nankai Hawks Catcher*.291 batting average*52 home runs*135 RBIs   Nankai Hawks Pitcher*2.40 earned run average*172 strikeouts*26–7 record in 47 appearances (43 games started)  * (3) Nankai Hawks Catcher*.320 batting average*42 home runs*110 RBIs  * (4) Nankai Hawks Catcher*.312 batting average*34 home runs*97 RBIs   Hankyu Braves Pitcher*1.75 earned run average*17 complete games*20–10 record in 43 appearances (29 games started)  * Hankyu Braves Pitcher *2.79 earned run average*22 complete games*29–13 record in 63 appearances (43 games started)   Hankyu Braves Outfielder*.316 batting average*41 home runs*101 RBIs   Lotte Orions Pitcher*2.53 earned run average*20 complete games*21–10 record in 42 appearances (35 games started)   (2) Hankyu Braves Outfielder*.317 batting average*40 home runs*114 RBIs  * Hankyu Braves Outfielder*.301 batting average*106 stolen bases*99 runs  * (5) Nankai Hawks Catcher*.309 batting average*28 stolen bases*96 RBIs   Lotte Orions Pitcher*2.90 earned run average*138 strikeouts*16–7 record in 36 appearances (29 games started)   Hankyu Braves First baseman*.309 batting average*32 home runs*97 RBIs  * Hankyu Braves Pitcher*2.39 earned run average*23 complete games*26–7 record in 39 appearances (27 games started)  * (2) Hankyu Braves Pitcher*2.28 earned run average*20 complete games*16–10 record in 44 appearances (25 games started)  * (3) Hankyu Braves Pitcher*2.66 earned run average*20 complete games*18–4 record in 35 appearances (25 games started)   Kintetsu Buffaloes Outfielder*.324 batting average*37 home runs*94 RBIs   Nippon Ham Fighters Pitcher*2.28 earned run average*225 strikeouts*22–8 record in 40 appearances (26 games started)   (2) Nippon Ham Fighters Pitcher*2.82 earned run average*25 saves*3–6 record in 45 appearances  * Lotte Orions Second baseman*.325 batting average*32 home runs*99 RBIs  * Seibu Lions Pitcher*2.92 earned run average*213 innings pitched*18–9 record in 32 appearances (29 games started)   Hankyu Braves First baseman*.355 batting average*37 home runs*130 RBIs  * (2) Lotte Orions Infielder*.367 batting average*52 home runs*146 RBIs   Seibu Lions Shortstop*.329 batting average*91 runs*27 home runs  * (2) Seibu Lions Starting pitcher*3.27 earned run average*17 complete games*15–9 record in 28 appearances (27 games started)  * Nankai Hawks Outfielder*.311 batting average*44 home runs*125 RBIs   Kintetsu Buffaloes Outfielder*.283 batting average*49 home runs*121 RBIs  * Kintetsu Buffaloes Starting pitcher*2.91 earned run average*235 innings pitched*18–8 record in 29 appearances (27 games started)   Seibu Lions Starting pitcher*2.59 earned run average*12 complete games*15–6 record in 24 appearances (23 games started)   Seibu Lions Pitcher*1.94 earned run average*148 innings pitched*15–3 record in 27 appearances (19 games started)  * Seibu Lions Starting pitcher*2.06 earned run average*170 innings pitched*15–3 record in 24 appearances (23 games started)   Orix BlueWave Outfielder*.385 batting average*41 doubles*111 runs   (2) Orix BlueWave Outfielder*.342 batting average*49 stolen bases*104 runs   (3) Orix BlueWave Outfielder*.356 batting average*35 stolen bases*104 runs   Seibu Lions Pitcher*3.12 earned run average*207 innings pitched*15–5 record in 32 appearances (26 games started)   Seibu Lions Shortstop*.311 batting average*92 runs*38 doubles  * (2) Fukuoka Daiei Hawks Starting pitcher*2.38 earned run average*196 innings pitched*11–7 record in 26 games started   Fukuoka Daiei Hawks First baseman*.312 batting average*33 home runs*106 RBIs   Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes Outfielder*.327 batting average*55 home runs*137 runs   Seibu Lions First baseman*.336 batting average*55 home runs*115 RBIs   Fukuoka Daiei Hawks Catcher*.330 batting average*34 home runs*119 RBIs   (2) Fukuoka Daiei Hawks First baseman*.358 batting average*44 home runs*120 RBIs   Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Starting pitcher*2.11 earned run average*218 strikeouts*18–4 record in 26 games started   Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters First baseman*.313 batting average*32 home runs*100 RBIs   Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Starting pitcher*1.82 earned run average*210 strikeouts*15–5 record in 26 games started   Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Starting pitcher*1.87 earned run average*201 innings pitched*21–4 record in 28 games started   (2) Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Pitcher*1.73 earned run average*8 complete games*15–5 record in 23 games started   Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Starting pitcher*3.14 earned run average*169 strikeouts*17–8 record in 26 games started   Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks First baseman*.338 batting average*12 home runs*74 RBIs   Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Starting pitcher*1.71 earned run average*158 strikeouts*14–5 record in 25 games started   Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Starting pitcher*1.71 earned run average*212 innings pitched*24–0 record in 28 appearances (27 games started)   Orix Buffaloes Pitcher*1.98 earned run average*199 strikeouts*16–5 record in 26 games started   Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Outfielder*.363 batting average*34 home runs*110 runs   Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Starting pitcher/Designated hitter*.322 batting average*1.86 earned run average*10–4 record in 21 appearances (20 games started)   Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Pitcher*1.09 earned run average*54 saves*2–2 record in 66 appearances   Saitama Seibu Lions First baseman*.281 batting average*47 home runs*124 RBIs   Saitama Seibu Lions Catcher*.329 batting average*23 home runs*105 RBIs   (2)Fukuoka SoftBank HawksOutfielder* .342 batting average* 29 home runs* 86 RBIs   Orix Buffaloes Pitcher*18-5 Record*206  K*193.2  IP*1.39 ERA   (2) Orix Buffaloes Pitcher*15-5 Record*193  IP*1.68  ERA===Multiple winners===There have been 22 players who have won the award multiple times. Sadaharu Oh currently holds the record for the most awards won, with nine. Hisashi Yamada (1976–1978) and Ichiro Suzuki (1994–1996) share the record for the most consecutive awards won. Yutaka Enatsu and Michihiro Ogasawara are the only players to have won the award in both the Central League and Pacific League. Alex Ramírez is the only non-Japanese player receive the award multiple times after the formation of two league system.Ichiro Suzuki, three-time consecutive winnerHideki Matsui, three-time winner Player League # of Awards Seasons * Central 9 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977 * Central 5 1961, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1971 * Pacific 5 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1973 * JBL/Pacific 3 1946, 1948, 1951 * JBL/Central 3 1941, 1951, 1955 * Pacific 3 1976, 1977, 1978  Pacific 3 1994, 1995, 1996  Central 3 1996, 2000, 2002 * JBL 2 1939, 1940 * JBL 2 1944, 1947 * Central 2 1952, 1956 * Pacific 2 1957, 1958 * Central 2 1958, 1959  Pacific 2 1969, 1971 * Central 2 1975, 1980  Both 2 1979, 1981  Pacific 2 1982, 1985  Pacific 2 1983, 1987  Central 2 1993, 1997  Pacific 2 1993, 1999  Pacific 2 2000, 2004  Both 2 2006, 2007  Pacific 2 2007, 2009  Central 2 2008, 2009  Central 2 2017, 2018  Central 2 2014, 2020  Pacific 2 2015, 2020  Pacific 2 2021, 2022  Central 2 2021, 2022
Notes *The save statistic was not formally recorded in the NPB until the 1974 season. * The 1945 Japanese Baseball League was cancelled due to World War II. * After 1958, Kazuto Yamamoto became known as Kazuto Tsuruoka. * Tetsuharu Kawakami received his first MVP award in 1941, nine years before the formation of Nippon Professional Baseball.
See also *Nippon Professional Baseball#Awards*Baseball awards#Japan*List of Nippon Professional Baseball earned run average champions*Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize*Athlete of the Year*Most valuable player*Player of the year award
Notes ;General****;Specific
References *