On this date in New York Yankees history, Yogi Berra earned the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Berra’s game flourished with a vote of confidence from “Ol’ Professor,” skipper Casey Stengel and coach Bill Dickey. After finishing third in the 1950 vote, Berra topped St. Louis Browns hurler Ned Garver by garnering 55% of the vote in 1951.
The award was the first of three in Berra’s Hall of Fame career.
The 1951 season also saw the AL All-Star club 27 home runs in 141 games.
For the Yankees, it was deja vu all over again, as Berra followed Phil Rizzuto as the second consecutive member of pinstripes to capture the award.
#OTD in 1951, Gramp wins his first AL #MVP award. “It’s great to be classed w/ fellows like DiMaggio & Rizzuto,” he said. “I sure hope I can win it a couple more times, like Joe did.” We all know how that went! PS you can see this plaque, & the others, @Yogi_Museum! #Yankees #MLB pic.twitter.com/m8489GfRQg
— Lindsay Berra (@lindsayberra) November 8, 2019
The Bronx Bombers backstop also helped guide the Yankees past the New York Giants in the 1951 Fall Classic.
