Has an MLB player ever been MVP and Rookie of the Year?

With MLB fans already looking at year-end awards, has a player ever won Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year the same year?

The 2023 season has just started, and it hasn’t even been a full month since Opening Day. Even so, that is not stopping fans from declaring that their favorite team is going to win the World Series, or that their season is officially over and they have no shot at making the postseason. Then, there’s early predictions as to who will win the year-end awards.

Of course, the main trophies that are handed out for the American and National Leagues are Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. Speaking of both awards, has any player won both in the same year? We have the answer for you.

Has an MLB player won MVP and Rookie of the year the same year?

The answer is yes. Two players have accomplished this feat, and they are former Boston Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn back in 1975 and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki back in 2001.

After making his debut in 1974, Lynn played his first full season the following year, and he led the league in runs scored (103), doubles (47), slugging percentage (.566) and OPS (.967) in 145 games played.

Lynn received 22 first place votes in the AL MVP voting, with Kansas City Royals first baseman John Mayberry getting the other two votes. As for Rookie of the Year voting, Lynn got 23.5 first-place votes, with fellow Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice receiving the remaining 0.5 first-place vote.

Ichrio made his MLB debut in 2001 after spending nine years playing for the Orix BlueWave of Nippon Professional Baseball. At age 27, Ichiro led the AL with a .350 batting average, 56 stolen bases, 242 hits, 692 at-bats and 738 plate appearances. He made the All-Star Game, won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger.

Ichiro received 11 first-place votes in MVP voting with Jason Giambi of the Oakland Athletics, (eight), Mariners teammate Bret Boone (seven) and Roberto Alomar of the now Cleveland Guardians (two) getting the remaining first-place votes. As for Rookie of the Year, Ichiro earned 27 first-place votes, with Cleveland starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia getting one first-place vote.

There you have it. Lynn and Ichiro are the only two players to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same year. Will a third player join them in the near future?