Pittsburgh Pirates: Four National League MVP Snubs in Franchise History

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 31: Former Pirate MVPs Dick Groat and Barry Bonds stand with 2013 National League MVP Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during Opening Day at PNC Park on March 31, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 31: Former Pirate MVPs Dick Groat and Barry Bonds stand with 2013 National League MVP Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during Opening Day at PNC Park on March 31, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH – AUGUST 31, 1935. Arky Vaughn, who as just set a new Pittsburgh Pirate record by hitting 19 home runs in a season as a shortstop, poses for a portrait at Forbes field in Pittsburgh before a game on August 31, 1935. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH – AUGUST 31, 1935. Arky Vaughn, who as just set a new Pittsburgh Pirate record by hitting 19 home runs in a season as a shortstop, poses for a portrait at Forbes field in Pittsburgh before a game on August 31, 1935. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

Arky Vaughan, 1935

Arky Vaughan is one of the best infielders in the hsitory of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. He never won an MVP award in his career, and quite possibly has one of the best offensive seasons in Pirate history. That being in 1935.

Vaughan was the team’s full time shortstop and batted to the tune of a .385/.491/.607 batting line in 610 plate appearances. He led the league in batting average, OBP, slugging percentage, had a 190 OPS+, and a 194 wRC+. Vaughan had struck out just 18 times to go against a league leading 97 walks. For the era, his 19 home runs made him the 15th best home run hitter in baseball.

Vaughan was also a terrific defender at shortstop, and had a 9.6 fWAR. In the history of Pirate players with at least 600 plate appearances, only Barry Bonds has ever posted a higher wRC+ and ties him in fWAR, both being in 1992.

Vaughan didn’t even finish in second place, but third place. Cubs’ Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett had a year himself, but nothing close to what Vaughan did. Hartnett batted .344/.404/.545 with 13 long balls, 151 OPS+ and 154 wRC+ in 461 plate appearances. He posted a 5.1 fWAR which by no means is a bad season, but Vaughan outdid Hartnett in every single stat, everything from wOBA (.493 to .427) to RBIs (99 to 91).