The Players Choice Awards are annual

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

awards, given by the

Major League Baseball Players Association The Major League Baseball Players Association (or MLBPA) is the union representing all current Major League Baseball players. All players, managers, coaches, and athletic trainers who hold or have held a signed contract with a Major League club ...

(MLBPA). The Players Choice Awards are given following a

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by players. Four awards go to a player in each

league League or The League may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band * ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football Sports * Sports league * Rugby league, full contact footba ...

, while two awards each go to one player in all of Major League Baseball. Prize money is donated to a charity of each winner's choice. The first Players Choice Awards were given in 1992, to the Comeback Player in each of the two major leagues. There were no other awards that year. In 1993, the Comeback Player awards were replaced by an Outstanding Player award for each league. Then, in 1994, two more categories were added: Outstanding Pitcher (in each league) and Outstanding Rookie (in each league). In 1997, the dual Comeback Player awards were again named, along with the first-ever single award – the Man of the Year – for one player in all of Major League Baseball. In 1998, a second non-dual award was added, Player of the Year. In addition, the Man of the Year award was renamed in honor of

Marvin Miller Marvin Julian Miller (April 14, 1917 – November 27, 2012) was an American baseball executive who served as the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) from 1966 to 1982. Under Miller's direction, the players ...

, former

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of the

. In 1999, a special Player of the Decade award was given. In 2015, a third non-dual award was created. The "Always Game" award is given to the player who – game in and game out – constantly exhibits positive energy, grit, tenacity, hustle, perseverance, relentlessness and sportsmanship; all for the benefit of his teammates and fans.

Awards for one player in all of Major League Baseball

Player of the Year

This award was first given in 1998.

The Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award

This award is given to "the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his

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inspire others to higher levels of achievement." First given in 1997 (as the "Man of the Year" Award), it was renamed in 1998 in honor of

, former executive director of the

Curt Flood Award

First handed out in 2020, this award is given to a former player, living or deceased, who in the image of

Curt Flood Curtis Charles Flood (January 18, 1938 – January 20, 1997) was an American professional baseball player and activist. He was a center fielder who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Redlegs, St. Louis Cardinals, ...

demonstrated a selfless, longtime devotion to the Players Association and advancement of Players’ rights.

Majestic Athletic Always Game Award

This award was first given in 2015. The award was not included in the list of 2018 winners.

Awards for a player in each league

Outstanding Player

First awarded in 1993. Alex Rodriguez Talking

Outstanding Pitcher

First awarded in 1994. Kershaw2012(01)

Outstanding Rookie

First awarded in 1994. Albert Pujols4

Comeback Player

In 1992, this was the first ever Players Choice Award. There were no other awards that year. The Comeback Player award was not given from 1993 to 1996, although awards were given in other categories. In 1997, it was again awarded and has been ever since. Frank Thomas 1997

Award for Player of the Decade

In 1999, a special Player of the Decade award was given to Ken Griffey Jr.

References

External links

*{{cite web, url=http://www.mlb.com/pa/programs/choice_winners.jsp , title=Players Choice Awards History, publisher=Major League Baseball Players Association, work=MLB.com , access-date=2016-10-28 Major League Baseball trophies and awards Awards established in 1992