I tried to list out the last MVPs to reach the World Series in their respective leagues:
- Barry Bonds, 2002, Giants
- Chipper Jones, 1999, Braves
- Terry Pendleton, 1991, Braves
- Rickey Henderson, 1990, Athletics
- Kevin Mitchell, 1989, Giants
- Jose Canseco, 1988, Athletics
- Kirk Gibson, 1988, Dodgers
So gimpy Kirk Gibson was the last MVP to play on a World Series-winning team, all of 17 years ago… and that was in a year when it was either him or Canseco. Which is kind of why I’m not too concerned if David Ortiz doesn’t win AL MVP - as long as he gets World Series MVP.
And I’d forgotten about Kevin Mitchell’s weird 1989 season.