1954 AL Stargell Award

After five consecutive championships, the Yankees finally took a year off from postseason play. The Cleveland Indians won 111 games, an American League record (that lasted until 1998, when the Yankees won 114), and claimed the pennant. The Indians had a very disappointing World Series, however; despite being the heavy favourites to win, they were swept by the New York Giants and their star centre fielder, Willie Mays.
The Indians were also shut out in the MVP vote. Instead, Yankee catcher Yogi Berra won his second award.

American League 1954

			AVG	OBA	SLU	AB	HIT	DB	TP	HR	RUN	RBI	BB	SB	OPS
LF	T WILLIAMS	BOS	345	513	635	386	133	23	1	29	93	89	136	0	1148
LF	M MINOSO	CHI	320	411	535	568	182	29	18	19	119	116	77	18	946
1B	M VERNON	WAS	290	357	492	597	173	33	14	20	90	97	61	1	850
3B/1B	A ROSEN	CLE	300	404	506	466	140	20	2	24	76	102	85	6	910
RF	J JENSEN	BOS	276	359	472	580	160	25	7	25	92	117	79	22	831

CF	M MANTLE	NY	300	408	525	543	163	17	12	27	129	102	102	5	933
CF	L DOBY	CLE	272	364	484	577	157	18	4	32	94	126	85	3	847
3B	R BOONE	DET	295	376	466	543	160	19	7	20	76	85	71	4	842
3B	J FINIGAN	PHI	302	381	421	487	147	25	6	7	57	51	64	2	802
3B	E YOST	WAS	256	405	380	539	138	26	4	11	101	47	131	7	786
OF/3B	A SMITH	CLE	281	398	435	481	135	29	6	11	101	50	88	2	832

CA	Y BERRA	NY	307	367	488	584	179	28	6	22	88	125	56	0	855
2B	B AVILA	CLE	341	402	477	555	189	27	2	15	112	67	59	9	880
2B	N FOX	CHI	319	372	391	631	201	24	8	2	111	47	51	16	763
SS	H KUENN	DET	306	335	390	656	201	28	6	5	81	48	29	9	725
SS	C CARRASQUEL	CHI	255	348	368	620	158	28	3	12	106	62	85	7	716

         Ted Williams made a successful return from service in the Korean War. The Thumper was 36 years old, but had five years left as the best hitter in baseball. During the war he had flown 39 bomber missions, and once had barely survived a bad plane crash. His military career ended when he contracted pneumonia, and when he returned to the States he was almost deaf in one ear. Williams would never again play a full season, due to recurring injuries and illnesses. This season, he broke his collarbone, and had to play with a pin in his shoulder. But he could always hit.
         The other top outfielders were also familiar names. Larry Doby led the Indians in their magical, pennant-winning season. Minnie Minoso had his best season; Mickey Mantle was a star and would soon explode as a superstar.
        Berra was second in the league in RBI, third in runs produced, fourth in total bases. I believe that Berra deserved the MVP this year; for the years 1950-54, Berra was the best player in the AL, if not all of baseball. He had more great years in 55-56, then was eclipsed by Mantle as the AL's best player.
        Bobby Avila of the Indians had a great year, and his team won the pennant. He finished third in the vote, behind Berra and Doby. Avila was a good hitter who had a wonderful season, and hit for a better average than anyone except Williams. Avila was a three-time All-Star, and a proven .300 hitter; a couple of years later he slumped to a .224 average, and his career never recovered.
        Jim Finigan, oddly enough, received more MVP votes than either Mickey Mantle or Al Rosen. It was his rookie year, and the only good year of his career.