Who won the NL MVP the year you were born?
Were you born under a Barry Bonds star (asterisk)? Or did you luck out and land Hank Aaron, Willie Mays or Ernie Banks? We chronicle every NL MVP since 1911 to match up with the year of your birth because real MLB fans would want to know.
2018: Christian Yelich
Yelich was traded from the Marlins to the Brewers before the 2018 season, and he immediately won the MVP with his new team. The right fielder hit .326-36-110 with 118 runs scored.
2017: Giancarlo Stanton
In his last season in South Beach, Stanton had his best year as a pro, swatting 59 home runs to go along with 132 RBI while hitting .281 at the dish. He was rewarded by being shipped to the Yankees less than a month after winning the award.
2016: Kris Bryant
In just his second year with the Cubs, Kris Bryant ran away with the NL MVP award for his part in helping lead the Cubs to their first World Series championship since 1908.
2015: Bryce Harper
Harper was the unanimous NL MVP after leading the league in home runs, on-base and slugging percentage. He hit .330-42-99 with a league-leading 118 runs scored at age 22.
2014: Clayton Kershaw
The first NL pitcher to win the award since Bob Gibson in 1968, Kershaw edged out Giancarlo Stanton. He also won his third NL Cy Young in four seasons, going 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA.
2013: Andrew McCutchen
McCutchen claimed 28 of 30 first-place votes to easily win the MVP over Paul Goldschmidt and Yadier Molina. He hit .317-21-84 with 27 stolen bases.
2012: Buster Posey
Posey claimed 27 of 32 first-place votes, winning the MVP just two years after he won NL Rookie of the Year. The catcher won the batting title, hitting .336-24-103 for the Giants.
2011: Ryan Braun
Braun edged Matt Kemp in what would eventually be a controversial result after he later tested positive for PEDs. He hit .332-33-111, leading the league in slugging (.597) and OPS (.987).
2010: Joey Votto
Votto got 31 of 32 first-place votes, beating out Albert Pujols for the NL MVP. The Canadian-born slugger led the league in on-base and slugging percentage, hitting .324-37-113 for the year.
2009: Albert Pujols
Pujols won his third MVP and second in as many years, as the unanimous choice. The Machine led the league in home runs, runs scored, on-base and slugging percentage. He hit .327-47-135 for the season.
2008: Albert Pujols
Pujols won his second MVP, garnering 18 of 32 first-place votes. Ryan Howard earned 12 first-place votes. Pujols had his best offensive campaign, hitting .357-37-116 with a 1.114 OPS.
2007: Jimmy Rollins
Rollins followed up teammate Ryan Howard's MVP by winning the award, just edging Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday. The shortstop hit .296-30-94 with 41 stolen bases.
2006: Ryan Howard
Howard was able to beat Albert Pujols in the NL MVP race after leading the league in home runs and RBI, hitting .313-58-149. His 1.084 OPS was still 18 points lower than Pujols.
2005: Albert Pujols
Barry Bonds played only 14 games in 2005, allowing Pujols to win his first MVP Award. He edged out Andruw Jones, hitting .330-41-117 and finished second in the league with a 1.039 OPS.
2004: Barry Bonds
Bonds won his fourth consecutive MVP and seventh overall, with ridiculous numbers of .362-45-101 with 232 walks. The result was .362/.609/.812, giving him an OPS 350 points higher than the next closest NL competitor.
2003: Barry Bonds
Bonds won his third consecutive NL MVP, hitting .341-45-90 with 148 walks in 130 games. He had a 1.278 OPS, 172 points higher than second-place finisher Albert Pujols.
2002: Barry Bonds
Winning his second straight NL MVP, Bonds easily won the batting title after hitting .370-46-110 with a 1.381 OPS. He garnered all 32 first-place votes.
2001: Barry Bonds
Bonds was the easy choice for the NL MVP after breaking Mark McGwire's home run record with 73 long balls. He hit .328-73-137 for the year, adding 177 walks. He had a 1.379 OPS for the season.
2000: Jeff Kent
Kent didn't even have the highest OPS on his own team (that honor went to Barry Bonds), but he won the NL MVP with 22 first-place votes. The second baseman hit .334-33-125 with a 1.021 OPS.
1999: Chipper Jones
Chipper won his one and only MVP in 1999, getting 29 first-place votes after hitting .319-45-110 with 25 stolen bases for the Braves. His 1.074 OPS was third in the league, behind Larry Walker and Mark McGwire.
1998: Sammy Sosa
Despite Mark McGwire setting the home run mark, Sosa won the NL MVP on the more competitive team. He also broke the record formerly held by Roger Maris, hitting .308-66-158 with 18 stolen bases. Of course, Big Mac had an OPS 198 points higher.
1997: Larry Walker
With the help of Coors Field, Walker hit .366-49-130 with 33 stolen bases to win the NL MVP. Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell were the closest competitors.
1996: Ken Caminiti
Caminiti won the MVP and helped lead the Padres to the playoffs. He was the unanimous choice, hitting .326-40-130 with a 1.028 OPS.
1995: Barry Larkin
Larkin barely edged out Dante Bichette, Greg Maddux and Mike Piazza in a very close MVP race. He hit .319-15-66 with 51 stolen bases, also winning a Gold Glove.
1994: Jeff Bagwell
Bagwell was the NL MVP in the strike-shortened 1994 season, hitting .368-39-116 with a 1.201 OPS in 110 games.
1993: Barry Bonds
Bonds won his third MVP, hitting .336-46-123 with 29 stolen bases and 126 walks. He had a league-leading 1.136 OPS.
1992: Barry Bonds
Bonds won his second MVP, hitting .311-34-103 with 127 walks. His 1.080 OPS easily led the league.
1991: Terry Pendleton
Pendleton beat out Barry Bonds by just 15 points to win the NL MVP, hitting .319-22-86 with an .880 OPS in 153 games.
1990: Barry Bonds
Bonds won his first of seven MVPs, hitting .301-33-114 with 52 stolen bases and 93 walks. He had a league-best .970 OPS for the Pirates. Teammate Bobby Bonilla finished second in the voting.
1989: Kevin Mitchell
Mitchell had a power surge in 1989, hitting .291-47-125 for the year. Teammate Will Clark finished second place in the voting.
1988: Kirk Gibson
Gibson just beat out Darryl Strawberry for the NL MVP in 1988, hitting .290-25-76 with 31 stolen bases for the Dodgers.
1987: Andre Dawson
Dawson beat out two Cardinals for the NL MVP, hitting .287-49-137 and leading the league in both home runs and RBI. His .896 OPS did trail third-place finisher Jack Clark by 159 points.
1986: Mike Schmidt
Schmidt won his third NL MVP, hitting .290-37-119 for the Phillies. He edged Glenn Davis for the award.
1985: Willie McGee
McGee won the NL MVP, and the Cardinals represented the NL in the World Series. The outfielder hit .353-10-82 with 56 stolen bases.
1984: Ryne Sandberg
Sandberg won the NL MVP nearly unanimously in 1984, hitting .314-19-84 with 32 stolen bases and an .887 OPS.
1983: Dale Murphy
Murphy won his second straight MVP, hitting .302-36-121 with 30 stolen bases and 90 walks. His .933 OPS led the league.
1982: Dale Murphy
Murphy beat out Lonnie Smith for the NL MVP for the Braves, hitting .281-36-109 with 23 stolen bases. The power production began a streak of four straight seasons with at least 36 homers.
1981: Mike Schmidt
Schmidt won his second consecutive NL MVP after hitting .316-31-91 with a league-leading 1.080 OPS, edging out Andre Dawson in the voting.
1980: Mike Schmidt
Schmidt won his first of three NL MVP Awards, hitting .286-48-121. He led the league in home runs and RBI as the unanimous MVP choice.
1979: Keith Hernandez and Willie Stargell
Hernandez and Stargell tied in the NL MVP voting in 1979. Stargell picked up 10 first-place votes to Hernandez's four, but Hernandez was able to finish even with 216 points. Hernandez hit .344-11-105, while Stargell hit .281-32-82.
1978: Dave Parker
Parker dominated the MVP balloting, hitting .334-30-117 with 20 stolen bases. He had a league-best .979 OPS for the season.
1977: George Foster
Foster just beat out Greg Luzinski for the NL MVP, hitting .320-52-149 in a mammoth offensive campaign for the Reds.
1976: Joe Morgan
Morgan won his second consecutive MVP after garnering 19 of 24 first-place votes. He hit .320-27-111 with 60 stolen bases, 113 runs scored and 114 walks. The Reds' George Foster finished second in the voting, and Pete Rose finished fourth.
1975: Joe Morgan
Morgan won his first of two MVP Awards after hitting .327-17-94 with 67 stolen bases and 132 walks. He won the award unanimously.
1974: Steve Garvey
Garvey won the NL MVP over Lou Brock, hitting .312-21-111 with 200 hits on the season.
1973: Pete Rose
The all-time hits king won his only MVP, in 1973, hitting .338-5-64 with 115 runs scored. He barely beat out Willie Stargell for the award.
1972: Johnny Bench
Bench won his second MVP in three years, hitting .270-40-125. Billy Williams finished a close second.
1971: Joe Torre
Torre dominated the NL MVP voting in 1971 after hitting .363-24-137 for the Cardinals. He finished ahead of Willie Stargell, Hank Aaron and Bobby Bonds.
1970: Johnny Bench
Bench won his first of two MVP Awards after hitting .293-45-148 with a .932 OPS as the Reds catcher.
1969: Willie McCovey
McCovey and Tom Seaver tied in first-place votes, but McCovey won the NL MVP voting by 22 points after hitting .320-45-126 with 121 walks.
1968: Bob Gibson
Gibson won the NL MVP and Cy Young after a brilliant season for the Cardinals. He beat out Pete Rose for the MVP with a record-breaking 1.12 ERA in 304.2 innings. He also won 22 games in his 34 starts.
1967: Orlando Cepeda
Cardinals Cepeda and Tim McCarver finished one-two in the NL MVP voting. Cepeda got all 20 first-place votes, hitting .325-25-111 with a .923 OPS.
1966: Roberto Clemente
Clemente beat out only Sandy Koufax by 10 points in the NL MVP voting, and Koufax got more first-place votes. The Pirates outfielder hit .317-29-119 for the season.
1965: Willie Mays
Mays won his second NL MVP 11 years after his first, hitting .317-52-112 with a 1.043 OPS. He earned nine of 20 first-place votes.
1964: Ken Boyer
Boyer had a huge year for the Cardinals, hitting .295-24-119 with an .854 OPS to win NL MVP.
1963: Sandy Koufax
Koufax got 14 of 20 first-place votes to win the NL MVP. He went 25-5 with a 1.88 ERA in 311 innings over 40 starts.
1962: Maury Wills
Wills won in the days when stolen bases and defense were valued much more by the voters. He hit .299-6-48 with 104 stolen bases for the Dodgers, just edging out Willie Mays in the voting. Mays' OPS was 279 points higher.
1961: Frank Robinson
Robinson earned 15 of 16 first-place votes with a huge year for the Reds, hitting .323-37-124 with 22 stolen bases. He had a 1.015 OPS for the season.
1960: Dick Groat
Pirates Groat and Don Hoak finished in the top two in the MVP voting. Groat won the award after hitting .325-2-50, winning the batting title.
1959: Ernie Banks
Banks won his second consecutive NL MVP, hitting .304-45-143 and had a .970 OPS.
1958: Ernie Banks
Banks finished first in the voting ahead of Willie Mays, hitting .313-47-129 for the Cubs.
1957: Hank Aaron
Aaron won his only MVP in 1957, just beating out Stan Musial after hitting .322-44-132 with a .978 OPS.
1956: Don Newcombe
Newcombe beat out teammate Sal Maglie in the MVP voting after going 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 268 innings for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1955: Roy Campanella
Campanella won his third MVP in five years, beating teammate Duke Snider by only five points. He hit .318-32-107 for the Dodgers.
1954: Willie Mays
Mays won his first MVP after hitting .345-41-110 with a league-leading 1.078 OPS.
1953: Roy Campanella
Campanella claimed his second MVP, garnering 17 of 24 first-place votes. He hit .312-41-142 for the Dodgers.
1952: Hank Sauer
Sauer won an extremely close three-way race for the NL MVP over Robin Roberts and Joe Black. The Cubs left fielder hit .270-37-121 for the year.
1951: Roy Campanella
Campanella won his first of three MVP Awards, hitting .325-33-108 for the Dodgers. He finished 52 points ahead of Stan Musial, who hit .355-32-108 and had a 1.063 OPS, 60 points higher than Campanella.
1950: Jim Konstanty
Konstanty earned 18 of 24 first-place votes, winning the MVP Award as a reliever. He led the league in appearances with 74 and threw 152 innings, going 16-7 with a 2.66 ERA for the Phillies.
1949: Jackie Robinson
Robinson made history as the NL MVP in his third MLB season. He won the batting title, hitting .342-16-124 with 37 stolen bases and a .960 OPS.
1948: Stan Musial
Musial won his third MVP with his best offensive season. He led the NL in batting average, on-base and slugging percentage, hitting .376/.450/.702. He also led the league with 131 RBI.
1947: Bob Elliott
Elliott won the NL MVP as the starting third baseman for the Boston Braves, hitting .317-22-113 with a .927 OPS.
1946: Stan Musial
Musial earned 22 of 24 first-place votes to win his second MVP. He hit .365-16-103 with a league-best 1.021 OPS.
1945: Phil Cavarretta
Cavarretta won the MVP as the starting first baseman for the Cubs, hitting .355-6-97 with a league-best .449 on-base percentage.
1944: Marty Marion
Marion beat Bill Nicholson by just one point to win the MVP, hitting .267-6-63 as the Cardinals' starting shortstop.
1943: Stan Musial
Musial won his first of three NL MVP Awards, hitting .357-13-81 with a .988 OPS.
1942: Mort Cooper
Cooper won the MVP as the ace of the Cardinals pitching staff, going 22-7 with a 1.78 ERA in 278.2 innings. Teammate Enos Slaughter finished second in the voting.
1941: Dolph Camilli
Brooklyn Dodgers took the top three spots in the NL MVP voting, with Camilli winning. He hit .285-34-120 for the Dodgers.
1940: Frank McCormick
McCormick beat out Johnny Mize for the MVP, hitting .309-19-127 for the Reds.
1939: Bucky Walters
Walters easily won the MVP in 1939, going 27-11 with a 2.29 ERA in 319 innings. He was also a good hitter, hitting .325-1-16 in 120 at-bats.
1938: Ernie Lombardi
Lombardi edged Bill Lee for the NL MVP, hitting .342-19-95 for the Reds.
1937: Joe Medwick
Medwick beat Gabby Hartnett by only two points to win the NL MVP in 1937. He won the Triple Crown, hitting .374-31-154 for the Cardinals.
1936: Carl Hubbell
The ace of the New York Giants, Hubbell went 26-6 with a 2.31 ERA in 304 innings. He barely beat Dizzy Dean in the voting.
1935: Gabby Hartnett
The Cubs got a huge year from Hartnett, who hit .344-13-91 to beat out Dizzy Dean for the NL MVP.
1934: Dizzy Dean
One of the best pitchers ever, Dean won the MVP after going 30-7 with a 2.66 ERA in 311.2 innings for the Cardinals. He made 50 appearances and 33 starts.
1933: Carl Hubbell
Hubbell won his first MVP after going 23-12 with a 1.66 ERA in 308.2 innings for the New York Giants.
1932: Chuck Klein
Klein barely edged Cubs ace Lon Warneke for the NL MVP, hitting .348-38-137 with a 1.050 OPS for the Phillies.
1931: Frankie Frisch
Frisch beat out Chuck Klein and Bill Terry for the MVP Award, hitting .311-4-82 with 28 stolen bases for the Cardinals.
1929: Rogers Hornsby
Hornsby won his second MVP, hitting .380-39-149 for the Cubs. Lefty O'Doul finished a close second in the voting after hitting .398-32-122.
1928: Jim Bottomley
Bottomley barely beat out Freddie Lindstrom for the NL MVP, hitting .325-31-136 with a 1.030 OPS.
1927: Paul Waner
Waner beat out Frankie Frisch for the MVP, hitting .380-9-131 for the Pirates.
1926: Bob O'Farrell
O'Farrell won the MVP, hitting .293-7-68 with an .804 OPS for the Cardinals.
1925: Rogers Hornsby
Hornsby won the MVP with the Cardinals after easily winning the Triple Crown. He hit .403-39-143, which was his second Triple Crown in four years.
1924: Dazzy Vance
Vance beat out Rogers Hornsby for the NL MVP, going 28-6 with a 2.16 ERA in 308.1 innings for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1914: Johnny Evers
Boston Braves dominated the MVP voting, as Evers, Rabbit Maranville and Bill James finished in the top three. Evers won after hitting .279-1-49 with 87 walks as the team's starting second baseman.
1913: Jake Daubert
Daubert hit .350-2-52 with 25 stolen bases to win the MVP with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1912: Larry Doyle
Doyle edged Honus Wagner to win the NL MVP, hitting .330-10-91 with 36 stolen bases.
1911: Frank Schulte
Schulte beat out Christy Mathewson in a close vote, hitting .300-21-107 with 23 stolen bases and a .918 OPS.
More must-reads: