10 iconic MLB players who clinched both MVP and World Series titles in the same season ft. Mookie Betts and Jose Altuve

Several players have competed in MLB for decades, never to win a World Series, or anything else. While such examples are numerous, a small cluster of players have achieved quite the opposite - winning the World Series alongside the Most Valuable Player Award in the same season.

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are both headlining as potential MVP candidates in their respective leagues ahead of the World Series clash. As such, the situation has prompted some fans to look into which MLB stars have accomplished such a feat. Keep reading to delve into this small, yet elite group of MLB superstars.

10 Players who won World Series and MVP in the same season

Mookie Betts, 2018 Red Sox

The most recent player to capture the MVP Award and the World Series, Mookie Betts did so for the 2018 Red Sox, over his current team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Mookie Betts also homered in the 2018 World Series clincher for the Red Sox. He would is the 9th player to homer in multiple World Series clinchers and the 2nd to do so with multiple teams, joining Reggie Jackson." - ESPN Stats & Info

In the 2018 regular season, Betts' .346 batting average and .640 slugging percentage led MLB, as did his 129 runs scored. The first of his two career World Series in 2018, Betts hit five doubles and five RBIs in 14 games to help his team win the 2018 World Series.

Jose Altuve, 2017 Astros

The only member of this list who is still actively playing for the club with whom he accomplished the milestone is Jose Altuve. Since signing with the Houston Astros as a teenager, Altuve has amassed 2,232 career hits, with an AL-best 204 of them coming in 2017, the same season that Houston defeated LA in the finals to win their first-ever World Series.

Kris Bryant, 2016 Cubs

Kris Bryant was part of the nucleus of players that helped deliver the 2016 World Series to Chicago Cubs fans - the franchise's first in 108 seasons. As an MLB sophomore that season, Bryant hit .292/.385/.554 with 39 home runs and 102 RBIs to win the NL MVP Award.

"Kris Bryant smiling while he's making the final out is the best thing ever #WorldSeries" - Blanco

Buster Posey, 2012 Giants

Buster Posey won the World Series with the San Francisco Giants a staggering three times between 2010 and 2014. Ahead of his second title, Posey's .336 batting average led all of MLB during the 2012 regular season, as did his 171 OPS+ figure. Currently the Giants' president of baseball operations, Posey's 40.8 career offensive WAR ranks ninth in franchise history.

Kirk Gibson, 1988 Dodgers

1988 was outfielder Kyle Gibson's first season with the Dodgers after nearly a decade with the Detroit Tigers. It was also the best season of Gibson's career.

""In the year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened." OTD in 1988, Kirk Gibson hit this legendary home run in Game 1 of the World Series with Vin Scully on the call" - FOX Sports: MLB

In 150 games for the Dodgers, Gibson hit .290/.377/.483 with 25 home runs 76 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases. Dodgers fans will remember Gibson's iconic catch in Game 3 of the 1988 World Series at Shea Stadium against the Mets. The Dodgers lost the game but went on to win the Fall Classic that year.

Willie Hernandez, 1984 Tigers

Puerto Rican pitcher Willie Hernandez has the solitary distinction of being the only player in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award, MVP Award, and World Series in the same season.

This all happened in 1984 when Hernandez went 9-3 with a 1.92 ERA through an MLB-best 80 games pitching out of the bullpen. In that year's postseason, Hernandez pitched 9.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out three as his club defeated the San Diego Padres to win the World Series.

Cal Ripken Jr., 1983 Orioles

Former Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. did not take long to make a splash in the league. As a 21-year-old in 1982, Ripken Jr. hit .264 with 28 homers and 93 RBIs to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award. The following season, the Maryland native hit .318 with an MLB-leading 211 hits and 47 doubles to win the MVP Award and played an instrumental role in helping the Birds over the Phillies.

"Fans crowd around Cal Ripken Jr’s car during the 1983 World Series parade" - Baseball in Pics

Mike Schmidt, 1980 Phillies

Mike Schmidt was given the 1980 World Series MVP Award for hitting two homers and seven RBIs in the Phillies' 4-2 October Series win over the Kansas City Royals.

That season, Schmidt had also hit with the very best. Through 150 games, Schmidt led the league in home runs and RBIs - with 48 and 121. He followed up his success in 1981, winning his second consecutive MVP nod.

Joe Morgan, Reds

Joe Morgan remains the only player to have won the MVP Award and World Series in the same year, multiple times. An integral member of the "Big Red Machine" Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s, Morgan led MLB in on-base percentage in both 1975 and 1976, prompting MVP victories in both seasons. Older fans will remember Morgan driving in Ken Griffey to win Game 7 of the 1975 Fall Classic.

"Joe Morgan's clutch two-out, RBI single in the 9th inning of 1975 World Series Game 7 was the difference as the @Reds won the championship" - MLB Vault

Reggie Jackson, 1970 Athletics

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson was central to the success of the A's in the 1970s. The MVP of the 1973 World Series for the A's against the New York Mets, Jackson hit .293/.383/.531 to win the MVP Award for the 1973 regular season as well.