Since 1992, every player belonging to the Major League Baseball Players Association has been allowed to cast a vote on various categories in an effort to determine each year's winners of the Players Choice Awards.
The award titles have changed nearly every year since its inception, but the cause is the same as proceeds from the Players Choice Awards are used to benefit the Players Trust for Children. Baseball Almanac is pleased to present a comprehensive breakdown of every Outstanding Player of the Year Award recipient.
"It means a lot knowing the players voted for this (Players Choice Award). It's important because sometimes the media is very biased about who they like and who they don't like. The players give you an honest opinion." - Frank Thomas on ESPN2 (1993, Players Choice Awards, Live Speech)
Do you agree or disagree with the Outstanding Player of the Year Award selections made by the Major League Baseball Players Association? Would you have chosen differently? Share your opinion on our Baseball Almanac Facebook Group, on Baseball Almanac Twitter, via Baseball Almanac Messenger, or our baseball forum — Baseball Fever.
Did you know that the Players Choice Awards (click link to see them all on the same page) also includes awards for Outstanding Pitcher of the Year and Outstanding Rookie of the Year?
The first player to ever win an Outstanding Player of the Year Award twice — Barry Bonds (1992 & 1993), who was also the first player to win it during back-to-back seasons. The first player from the American League to win twice was Frank Thomas (1993 & 1994).