Was This MLB Star Of The 2000s Ever Named MVP?
- by Joey Haverford
- – on
- in Sports
The sport of baseball has seen many ups and downs over the years. Many would argue that the decade of the 2000s featured some of the most important moments in the history of MLB. We witnessed numerous incredible stories like Barry Bonds chase various home run records, the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry deliver iconic memories and a lot of controversial moments off the field. Congress came after baseball due to the use of steroids being part of the game. MLB finally stepping up to prevent steroids from being used in the game changed the landscape. The early years of the decade featured PED using stars and the latter years gave us clean yet less impressive players.
Both sides merged for the polarizing era in MLB history. We will take a look at some of the top names from the decade. All impacted the game and improved their teams’ ability to succeed. Unfortunately, not all great players can win the prestigious MVP Awards. The American League and National League each have an MVP Award for the Most Valuable Player for their respective league. It will be your job to figure out if the following twenty-five stars won the award. Test your memory and knowledge by answering if these great MLB stars of the 2000s ever won MVP.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez joined Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees in a blockbuster trade. It was one of the biggest stories of the decade in the MLB after Rodriguez developed the reputation of being the best hitter in the sport. Rodriguez had many ups and downs in New York before finally winning a World Series in 2009 with many clutch home runs leading them there. Steroid drama would later haunt him, but you can’t take away his accolades. Was the MVP Award ever one of those accomplishments?
Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield was one of the best offensive players in the MLB at the beginning of the 2000s. The power of Sheffield allowed him to thrive and make a great deal of money throughout his career. Sheffield played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets during the 2000s. Each team received memorable moments from the talented right fielder. Was the MVP Award one of the accomplishments Sheffield earned at any point during his career?
Derek Jeter
You can’t discuss the 2000s without mentioning Derek Jeter. The New York Yankees shortstop won the hearts of the fan base in the 90s and took his game to another level in the 2000s. Jeter won two World Series with the Yankees in the decade. At various points, Jeter was considered the face of baseball, especially after the steroid controversy. Jeter was one of the few stars that never had any steroid doubts tied to him. Did he ever win an MVP Award to add to his trophy shelf?
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero was another extremely talented right fielder to dominate the world of baseball for a few years. Following his early career success with the Montreal Expos, Guerrero cashed in for a massive contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The move turned out to be for the best with his career reaching new heights on the Angels. An argument can be made that Guerrero was the best overall player in baseball for a few season during his time there. Did he ever take home the MVP Award as a result of his superb play?
Ichiro
Japanese sensation Ichiro made the jump to the MLB after playing professionally in Japan for many years. The success of Ichiro came right away as he became the face of the Seattle Mariners franchise. Ichiro led the league in hits many seasons showing just how consistently great he was. Many pundits believed he could have easily become a great power hitter, but Ichiro focused on always getting positive results rather than going for all or nothing. Is Ichiro one of the legendary names to win the MVP Award?
Manny Ramirez
The power of Manny Ramirez helped him become one of the premiere MLB stars of the 2000s. Ramirez always showed greatness with the Cleveland Indians but took it to another level when joining the Boston Red Sox. The presence of Ramirez changed the franchise and helped end the World Series drought when winning it all in 2004. Boston would win another title in 2007. Ramirez has one World Series MVP trophy at home, but did he ever get the regular season MVP as well?
David Ortiz
David Ortiz was the partner in crime of Manny Ramirez when it came to make life miserable for pitchers facing the Boston Red Sox in the 2000s. Ortiz developed the nickname of Big Papi as he became a superstar when joining the Red Sox. As a designated hitter, the defensive struggles of Ortiz were hidden and he focused completely on becoming one of the best hitters in the game. Boston likely would have never won a World Series without Ortiz. Is he a former MVP winner?
Jason Giambi
The success of Jason Giambi in the early 2000s made him one of the premiere hitters in the league. Giambi’s power led to ridiculous home runs that would travel the distance you’d only expect in video games. Following a great run with the Oakland Athletics, Giambi joined the New York Yankees to become the first baseman for the majority of the decade. His career trended downwards as the decade ended but he definitely made his mark. Did Giambi ever take home an MVP Award at any point?
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Beltran may very well be the most underrated MLB star of the 2000s. Despite consistently being excellent just about every season, Beltran never could find a home. The all-around talented outfielder played for the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and New York Mets during the decade. Since then, he has played for five different teams and is still in the league today. Beltran’s best days came in the 2000s as a tremendous hitter. Did he ever win the MVP thanks to his great stats?
Barry Bonds
The biggest name to start the decade of the 2000s was clearly Barry Bonds. Everyone was captivated in 2001 for his home run chase when he broke the singles season record with 73 home runs. San Francisco Giants fans were treated to his dominance for many years. Bonds was so good that he would get intentionally walked more than any other star in MLB history. The reputation of Bonds went downhill when it was revealed he clearly used steroids. Despite controversy surrounding his name, is Bonds in the record books as an MVP winner?
Randy Johnson
It is extremely tough for a pitcher to win the MVP Award. The fact that pitchers have their own Cy Young Award to celebrate the best of the year usually leads to voters snubbing them from any MVP votes. There’s also the logic that pitchers don’t have to contribute every game like hitters do. Randy Johnson is one pitcher that transcended the normal role of starting pitcher. Opposing teams were shook every time they had to face the legendary flamethrower. Did Johnson ever get the honor of winning MVP?
Mariano Rivera
Another legendary pitcher to transcend his position was closer Mariano Rivera. The New York Yankees essentially had the game locked down after 8th inning if holding a lead. Rivera would come in and destroy any hope left in the other team to end the game. Yankees fans treated Rivera like a hero due to his success at the role being so far above any of his peers. Did Rivera ever get to shock the world by bringing a MVP Award to the history of the closers?
Todd Helton
Todd Helton is a rare example of a superstar spending his entire career with one franchise. The Colorado Rockies had Helton on their roster for the 2000s and beyond. Helton spent all seventeen years in the MLB on the Rockies. For a good percentage of his run, Helton was one of the best first basemen in the league. Colorado rarely had great players on their team but he was always there to consistently lead them. Did Helton ever win the MVP Award?
Dustin Pedroia
Dustin Pedroia became one of the breakout stars towards the end of the decade. Boston Red Sox fans were treated to the great story of Pedroia being an unlikely superstar. At just 5’9’’, Pedroia has been one of the shortest stars in MLB throughout his career. It didn’t hold him back as Pedroia remained a top tier second baseman throughout his entire run. Pedroia contributed to the 2008 World Series and another later in 2013. Has he won an MVP Award yet?
Mike Cameron
The career of Mike Cameron is forgotten despite all the great things he did in the 2000s. Cameron was traded in a package deal for 90s MLB icon Ken Griffey Jr. to start the millennium. Many would have folded under the pressure of replacing such a legend but Cameron did well. He contributed to the Seattle Mariners record breaking 116-win season back in 2001 as an All-Star and Gold Glove winner. Cameron also played for the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers during the decade. Did he ever win an MVP Award?
Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard became one of the most powerful hitters in MLB during the 2000s. Philadelphia Phillies fans loved witnessing his jaw-dropping home runs. Howard helped lead the Phillies to the 2008 World Series. The accolades of Howard saw him make three All-Star appearances in the decade as well as lead the league in home runs and RBIs numerous times. Howard witnessed a decline after the decade ended as he’s currently in the minor leagues trying to find a role on an MLB roster. Did he at least win an MVP Award during his peak?
Chase Utley
Another talented Philadelphia Phillies star was second baseman Chase Utley. The talent and work ethic of Utley made him arguably the best at his position during his best years. Utley made the All-Star team six times, including five in a row during the 2000s. The decade ended with Utley at the top of his game. Much like Howard, he started to trend downwards in the 2010s. Utley is still playing on the Los Angeles Dodgers at the latter stage of his career. Did he win the MVP Award during better days?
Jimmy Rollins
The third Philadelphia Phillies infield star of the era was shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Very few players had as much heart and determination as Rollins. The all-around greatness of Rollins saw him have among the best offensive stats at shortstop while winning four Gold Glove Awards to signify being the best defender at his position. Rollins was the heart and soul of the Phillies team that captured the 2008 World Series. Did his success ever lead to an MVP Award at any point?
Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon was one of the most popular players of the 2000s with success on numerous times. The dim-witted yet endearing personality of Damon made fans fall in love with every time he joined a new team. Damon became a huge part of the rise of the Boston Red Sox. Damon sported a beard and embodied the team’s fun spirit as they won the 2004 World Series. To shock the world, Damon shaved the beard to join the New York Yankees and win the 2009 World Series with them. Did he ever win an MVP Award?
Albert Pujols
The best overall player of the 2000s may be Albert Pujols due to him dominating the league every single season. Pujols won Rookie of the Year during his first season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001. National League pitchers were decimated by Pujols for the rest of the decade as he made the All-Star team every year but once. Pujols led the Cardinals to the 2006 World Series. His career went downhill when leaving St. Louis for the Los Angeles Angels in 2012. Did he ever win the MVP Award during his best times in St. Louis?
Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen was one of the best all-around third basemen in the MLB during the 2000s. The offense of Rolen was always on point with 300+ home runs and 2000+ hits for his career. Rolen was regarded as being even better on defense with 8 Gold Glove Awards. The overall play gave Rolen a total of seven All-Star appearances. Rolen spent his best years in the 2010s on the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. The latter run won him a World Series in 2006. Does he also have an MVP Award on his resume?
Jim Thome
Unlike many other players on this quiz, Jim Thome wasn’t a great all-around player. The greatness of Thome came in the form of the long ball. Thome would hit monster home runs and many of them almost every season of the 2000s. In an incredible stat, Jim Thome hit 34+ home runs every season of the decade aside from two that were shortened due to injury. The Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox all witnessed his greatness. Did he ever bring an MVP Award to any of them?
Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent was one of the best second baseman in the MLB to start the 2000s. The great hitter did his best to help contribute to the San Francisco Giants as the unofficial protection to Barry Bonds in the lineup. Following his great run on the Giants, Kent spent the remainder of his career with the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers to close out his career. Kent made five All-Star appearances thanks to his great stats. Did he ever win an MVP Award?
Joe Mauer
Joe Mauer broke out as one of the premiere stars in MLB during the latter half of the 2000s. Minnesota Twins fans were gifted with a special catcher that instantly became the best at his position. Mauer won three batting titles out of four years. A more impressive accomplishment was winning both the Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove Award for the catcher position all three seasons from 2008 to 2010 showing dominance at both sides of the job Did Mauer ever add the MVP Award to his other trophies?
Torii Hunter
Another Minnesota Twins legend to see his career reach new highs in the 2000s was outfielder Torii Hunter. Despite being a great hitter, Hunter is remembered for his incredible catches. Fans were treated to countless highlight plays of him making diving catches or preventing home runs by leaping his glove over the wall. Hunter won a Gold Glove Award for outfield defense nine years in a row from 2001 to 2009 as well as five All-Star appearances. Did Hunter ever win an MVP Award?