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Is Zoilo the worse MVP, statistically, ever?

Posted by schwarze on 7/25/2018 12:52:00 PM (view original):
Is Zoilo the worse MVP, statistically, ever?

Doing a really quick scan of the MVP list since the 50's (real quick), I would say Maury Wills in 1962 had the worst MVP season. Wills OPS+ (granted he wasn't a slugger but was an on base guy) was 99 and his WAR was 6.0. Zoilo's OPS+ was 115 and his WAR was 7.2. Zoilo had the misfortune of being followed by 2 Triple Crown winners and a 31 game winner which made his season look worse by comparison.

I guess he did have a little pop in his bat. But .273 avg and .319 obp? Ugh. Also, I guess nobody else had a good season in the AL, in 1965. So, in terms of comparing to the other choices, I guess it makes sense. You are correct about Wills. Mays should have won it in 1962.

By the way, 1965 was Zoilo's best season. He's a career .242 / .290 / .367 (82 OPS+) hitter which leads to the next question. Of all MVP in history, is Zoilo the worst career hitter?

Zoilo worked as a baggage handler for Northwest Airlines during the offseason. After the 1966 season he hurt his back handling luggage and was never the same. He was out of baseball in 3 years at the age of 30. He died when he was 54 years old. A sad life.

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