The Hank Aaron Award, a highly prestigious accolade in Major League Baseball (MLB), honors the top hitter in each league. This esteemed recognition is determined through a collaborative voting process involving both baseball fans and members of the media. The award dates back to 1999, with the 25th anniversary of Hank Aaron surpassing Babe Ruth's monumental career home run record of 714 homers.
The Hank Aaron Award holds immense significance as Major League Baseball's first major award introduced in almost two decades. Every year, during the World Series, the winners from both leagues are recognized. While traditionally honored before Game 4, it may sometimes be presented after Game 2 due to arrangements at a different venue.
Until his passing in 2021, Hank Aaron himself personally handed out these prestigious awards. However, there were exceptions in 2018 when it was distributed during Game 3 and in 2019 when it was presented in Game 2.
List of Aaron Award in Each Conference Year by Year
The Hank Aaron Award is presented annually to one outstanding player from each league: the American League and the National League. A panel comprising baseball writers and broadcasters votes to determine the recipient of this prestigious honor. The panel evaluates a player's overall offensive performance, taking into account key statistics like batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, among others.
Checkout the list of both American League and National League Hank Aaron Award winners:
American League Hank Aaron Award Winners:
| Year | Player | Team |
| 2022 | Aaron Judge | New York Yankees |
| 2021 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2020 | José Abreu | Chicago White Sox |
| 2019 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels |
| 2018 | J. D. Martinez | Boston Red Sox |
| 2017 | José Altuve | Houston Astros |
| 2016 | David Ortiz | Boston Red Sox |
| 2015 | Josh Donaldson | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2014 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim |
| 2013 | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers |
| 2012 | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers |
| 2011 | José Bautista | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2010 | José Bautista | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2009 | Derek Jeter | New York Yankees |
| 2008 | Kevin Youkilis | Boston Red Sox |
| 2007 | Alex Rodriguez | New York Yankees |
| 2006 | Derek Jeter | New York Yankees |
| 2005 | David Ortiz | Boston Red Sox |
| 2004 | Manny Ramirez | Boston Red Sox |
| 2003 | Alex Rodriguez | Texas Rangers |
| 2002 | Alex Rodriguez | Texas Rangers |
| 2001 | Alex Rodriguez | Texas Rangers |
| 2000 | Carlos Delgado | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 1999 | Manny Ramirez | Cleveland Indians |
National League Hank Aaron Award Winners:
| Year | Player | Team |
| 2022 | Paul Goldschmidt | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2021 | Bryce Harper | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2020 | Freddie Freeman | Atlanta Braves |
| 2019 | Christian Yelich | Milwaukee Brewers |
| 2018 | Christian Yelich | Milwaukee Brewers |
| 2017 | Giancarlo Stanton | Miami Marlins |
| 2016 | Kris Bryant | Chicago Cubs |
| 2015 | Bryce Harper | Washington Nationals |
| 2014 | Giancarlo Stanton | Miami Marlins |
| 2013 | Paul Goldschmidt | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2012 | Buster Posey | San Francisco Giants |
| 2011 | Matt Kemp | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2010 | Joey Votto | Cincinnati Reds |
| 2009 | Albert Pujols | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2008 | Aramis Ramírez | Chicago Cubs |
| 2007 | Prince Fielder | Milwaukee Brewers |
| 2006 | Ryan Howard | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2005 | Andruw Jones | Atlanta Braves |
| 2004 | Barry Bonds | San Francisco Giants |
| 2003 | Albert Pujols | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2002 | Barry Bonds | San Francisco Giants |
| 2001 | Barry Bonds | San Francisco Giants |
| 2000 | Todd Helton | Colorado Rockies |
| 1999 | Sammy Sosa | Chicago Cubs |
Players Who Have Won Hank Aaron Award multiple times
The Hank Aaron Award, an annual accolade presented in both the American and National Leagues, acknowledges the most exceptional offensive player. Throughout its history, a select few athletes have received this prestigious recognition multiple times. Notably, Alex Rodriguez stands out among them with an achievement of winning the award on four separate occasions.
Rodriguez, a former professional baseball player, enjoyed an illustrious career that spanned over two decades. Throughout his remarkable journey, Rodriguez was victorious as the recipient of the Hank Aaron Award in four different seasons.
Barry Bonds, a former outfielder, has achieved considerable success by winning the Hank Aaron Award multiple times. Throughout his career, Bonds secured this prestigious accolade on three separate occasions.
FAQs
A. The Hank Aaron Award winner emerges from a collaborative process involving both fan input and the assessment of a panel consisting of Hall of Famers and media members.
A. The Hank Aaron Award, established in 1999, serves as a tribute to the historic occasion when Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth's long-standing home run record, marking its 25th anniversary.
A. Yes, the Hank Aaron Award is exclusively focused on offensive performance and is awarded to the best hitter in each league.
A. Yes, players are eligible to win the prestigious Hank Aaron Award multiple times. As a matter of fact, numerous exceptional players have achieved this remarkable feat, demonstrating their unwavering offensive prowess throughout their illustrious careers.
