MLB The Show Monthly Awards Program May 2023
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Jun 08, 2023
MLB
Step right up, folks! Let me take you on a thrilling journey through the fascinating world of Major League Baseball (MLB), where legends are born and dreams come true. Get ready to be entertained by the history, rivalries, and jaw-dropping moments that have made MLB one of the most beloved sports leagues in North America.
Picture this: back in 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings stepped up to the plate as the first all-professional baseball team. From that moment on, the game of baseball exploded onto the scene, with teams popping up left and right. But it wasn't always smooth sailing. Rivalries between leagues and players hopping from team to team created quite the spectacle in those early years.
Fast forward to the 1900s, when the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) decided to join forces under the legendary National Agreement. This historic union in 1903 birthed the MLB we know today, making it the oldest major professional sports league in the world. It wasn't until the turn of the millennium, in 2000, that the NL and AL officially merged into one powerhouse organization led by the Commissioner of Baseball.
Let's not forget the thrilling events that shaped MLB's rich tapestry. The dead-ball era dominated the game in its early years, with home runs being a rare sight. Then came the infamous Black Sox Scandal of 1919, where a conspiracy to fix the World Series threatened the integrity of the sport. But baseball prevailed, rising in popularity through the following decades, including the turbulent times of the Great Depression and World War II.
In a breakthrough moment for equality, the legendary Jackie Robinson shattered baseball's color barrier after the war, forever changing the game and inspiring generations to come. The 1950s and 1960s brought expansion, with teams moving around and new clubs being added to the mix. And who could forget the era of artificial turf stadiums in the 1970s and 1980s, forever altering the playing field?
Now, let's talk about the high-flying '90s, where home runs rained down like confetti. The long ball dominated the game, captivating fans with every swing of the bat. But as with any story, there were twists and turns. In the mid-2000s, shocking revelations emerged about the use of anabolic steroids by MLB players. An investigation known as the Mitchell Report rocked the league, uncovering the truth about performance-enhancing substances.
MLB The Show Monthly Awards
May Monthly Awards Captains Series Players (95 Overall)
- Eddie Rosario (LF) – Twins
- Blake Treinen (CP) – Athletics
May Monthly Awards Choice Pack (95 Overall)
- Spencer Steer (1B) – Reds
- Owen Miller (CF) – Brewers
- Christopher Morel (CF) – Cubs
- Michael Wacha (SP) – Padres
- Tanner Scott (RP) – Marlins
- Dauri Moreta (RP) – Pirates
May Monthly Awards Choice Pack (97 Overall)
- Will Smith (C) – Dodgers
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) – Diamondbacks
- Riley Greene (CF) – Tigers
- Nathan Eovaldi (SP) – Rangers
- Framber Valdez (SP) – Astros
- Félix Bautista (CP) – Orioles
May Monthly Awards Players (98 Overall)
- Freddie Freeman (1B) – Dodgers
- Wander Franco (SS) – Rays
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF) – White Sox
- Mitch Keller (SP) – Pirates
- Evan Phillips (CP) – Dodgers
MLB May 2023 Monthly Award Winners Announced
Check out the details of the winners here
AL Player of the Month: Aaron Judge
NYY Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees continues to dazzle as he secures his first AL Player of the Month Award in 2023, marking the sixth of his illustrious career. Despite an initial setback with an injury sidelining him for eight days in May, the towering 6-foot-7 slugger made a triumphant return to the field. In just 21 games, Judge showcased his remarkable skill, batting an impressive .342. His powerful swing resulted in 12 home runs, 25 RBIs, 20 walks, and a staggering 1.356 OPS.
NL Player of the Month: Freddie Freeman
LAD Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers' first baseman, solidifies his position as one of the game's best with his fourth NL Player of the Month Award, and second since joining the Dodgers. Closing out May with an awe-inspiring 20-game hitting streak, Freeman proved to be an unstoppable force at the plate. Throughout the month, he maintained a remarkable .400 batting average, launching six home runs, knocking 17 doubles, driving in 26 runs, and drawing 12 walks. His exceptional performance resulted in an impressive 1.184 OPS over 28 games.
AL Pitcher of the Month: Nathan Eovaldi
TEX Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers shines as he claims his first-ever AL Pitcher of the Month Award. Eovaldi's dominance was evident from the start, with a complete-game shutout in his final start of April setting the stage for an outstanding May. Across five starts, he showcased his pitching prowess, amassing an impressive 4-0 record with a dazzling 0.96 ERA. Eovaldi struck out 31 batters over 37 2/3 innings, leaving opposing hitters struggling to make an impact.
NL Pitcher of the Month: Michael Wacha
SD San Diego Padres' right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha makes an impressive turnaround in May after a challenging April. Wacha's perseverance paid off as he secures his first-ever NL Pitcher of the Month Award. Throughout the month, he showcased his mastery on the mound, going 3-0 with a remarkable 0.84 ERA. Wacha's 26 strikeouts in 32 innings over five starts highlighted his command and precision. He proved to be a formidable opponent, allowing a mere three extra-base hits all month and holding his opponents to a minuscule .405 OPS.
AL Rookie of the Month: Josh Jung
TEX Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers continues his outstanding rookie campaign, securing back-to-back AL Rookie of the Month Awards to kick off 2023. The third baseman finished May in impressive fashion, hitting safely in each of his final 14 games. During this span, Jung showcased his power and versatility, launching four home runs, hitting five doubles, driving in 12 runs, and earning a formidable 1.284 OPS. Overall, Jung's performance included six home runs and a solid .318/.357/.561 slash line over 26 games, cementing his status as a rising star
MLB The Show Organizations
Back in the year 1920, baseball took a major turn when the mighty National Commission, which had been in charge of league relations, was replaced by the all-powerful Commissioner of Baseball. This Commissioner held the authority to make unilateral decisions for the entire professional baseball world. What a game-changer! From 1901 to 1960, the American and National Leagues each fielded eight teams, creating a balanced playing field.
But hold on tight, because the swinging 1960s brought an era of expansion to MLB. Eight new teams stepped up to the plate, including the first-ever non-U.S. team, the Montreal Expos. The 1970s then welcomed two more teams, the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays.
This led to the introduction of divisions within each league: East and West. In 1993, the National League expanded once again, welcoming the Florida Marlins and the Colorado Rockies. With the addition of these teams, both leagues boasted an equal number of franchises. The game took another twist in 1994, with the birth of the Central Division in each league.
The excitement grew as regular-season interleague play was introduced in 1997, allowing teams from different leagues to compete against each other beyond just the World Series and All-Star Game.
Fast forward to March 1995, when MLB awarded two new franchises, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now known as the Tampa Bay Rays). These fresh faces joined the league in 1998, bringing the total number of teams to 30. But here's where it gets tricky: MLB initially aimed for an odd number of teams in each league, which would require interleague play throughout the entire season.
However, uncertainty loomed around the continuation of interleague play after 1998, as it required approval from the players' union. To maintain a balanced schedule and even teams in both leagues, the Milwaukee Brewers made a bold move in November 1997, shifting from the American League to the National League.
Simultaneously, the Detroit Tigers moved from the AL East to the AL Central, filling Milwaukee's spot. This ensured that both leagues had an equal number of teams, setting the stage for a thrilling season.
Another twist came in 2013, when the Houston Astros underwent a change in ownership. The team made a monumental shift from the National League Central to the American League West.
This adjustment brought each league to three divisions, consisting of five teams each, allowing for a more balanced schedule and increased competition. Interleague play was no longer limited to specific periods but became a feature throughout the season, injecting even more excitement into the game.
The turn of the millennium marked a significant milestone in MLB's history. In 2000, the American League and National League dissolved as legal entities, giving rise to a single, unified MLB league. Similar to other major professional sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, and NHL, MLB now operated as a united entity with two components referred to as "leagues" instead of "conferences."
While in the past, there was a unique distinction in rules between the leagues, with the AL implementing the designated hitter (DH) rule and the NL abstaining, that all changed in 2020. As part of the settlement following the 2021–22 Major League Baseball lockout, the NL embraced the designated hitter rule, aligning the rules in both leagues and ensuring a level playing field.
Baseball, a game rich in history and continuous evolution, never fails to surprise us. With each chapter, it brings new thrills and unexpected turns, captivating fans worldwide. The sport we love keeps evolving, leaving us eagerly awaiting the next chapter in its timeless tale.
MLB The Show Monthly Awards-FAQs
MLB currently consists of 30 teams, with 29 teams in the United States and 1 team in Canada.
MLB was formed in 1903 when the National League and the American League agreed to cooperate and organize the World Series.
The Commissioner of Baseball is the executive leader of MLB. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the Commissioner is Rob Manfred.
The New York Yankees hold the record for the most World Series championships, with 27 titles.
The designated hitter (DH) rule is a rule in baseball that allows a player to bat in place of the pitcher in the lineup. It is used in the American League but not in the National League. As of 2020, the DH rule is also implemented in National League games.