The surprise winner of the MVP this year was Steve Garvey. Before this season, Garvey had been nothing more than a part-time third baseman who was famous for throwing balls over the first baseman's head and into the stands. The Dodgers moved him to first, and things started to click. Garvey had 200 hits, 100 RBI, a Gold Glove, and the Dodgers led the National League in victories.

         Garvey later became one of the biggest stars of the decade, recording six 200-hit seasons and five 100-RBI seasons. To be honest, though, I don't think he was ever an MVP-calibre player. He hit for good, not great batting averages (his career high was .319). He never had a .500 slugging percenage; he was a good (but not great) power hitter. He never came close to having a .400 on-base percentage; Garvey rarely walked, and consequently never scored a 100 runs in a season. Even in 1975, when Garvey hit .319 and batted 658 times, he scored only 85 runs.
        Garvey played for 19 seasons, had over 2500 hits and over 200 career homers. He was an All Star ten times, was consistent and reliable at the plate and he had a good defensive reputation. He was also regarded as a team leader; even after he left the Dodgers, he helped the Padres win their first pennant in 1984. Garvey also compiled an impressive consecutive-game streak, though an injury left him well short of Gehrig's record.
        Garvey's fans considered to be a modern-day Gehrig, and not just because of his durability. Garvey was a clean-cut, chisel-jawed icon, a throwback who planned to enter politics after his playing career ended. But soon after his retirement, Garvey's public image was shattered by revelations of his extra-marital affairs. Garvey fathered children with several different women, and his wife added to the scandal by writing a book about him.
        The runner-up in the vote was Lou Brock, who set a new single-season stolen base record. But this really wasn't one of Lou's best seasons with the bat; and though he set the steals record, he had to take more chances on the basepaths to do so and was thrown out 33 times. It was a remarkable accomplishment for a 35-year-old player, and overall he had a good, solid year for the Cardinals, but Lou can't be considered a strong MVP candidate this season.
        I think the best players in the league were two Cincinnati infielders, Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench. Bench finished fourth in the MVP vote, and Morgan eighth. For the life of me, I can't understand how anyone could not think that these two guys were the best in the league. Joe Morgan was probably the better player, and I'm choosing him as the MVP. There just aren't any flaws in his game. He hit for average, hit for power, drew walks, was a sensational base stealer, and a good defensive player. Bench was a great defensive catcher, and a durable power hitter. And the Reds had a great year.
        Morgan and Bench also had some stiff competition from Mike Schmidt, who had his first big year. Schmidt always had power, but had some trouble early in his career making contact with the ball (he hit only .196 the year before, despite playing almost full time). He made some adjustments, and had a big year. Schmidt was also the best defensive third baseman in the National League; this was recognized two years later when Schmidt won his first of ten Gold Gloves.