Oakland Athletics outfielder Reggie Jackson receives the American League Award for Most Valuable Player. Exhibiting power and discipline at the plate, speed on the bases, and and the ability to cover territory and gun down would be advancing runners in the field, the lefty slugger was the clear cut choice. Power was exhibited with 45 home runs and 42 doubles, which resulted in a slugging percentage of .629 to lead the league in that category. With a batting average of .294 and 111 walks, Jackson reached base enough to also lead the league in runs scored with 126.
Frank Howard of Washington was second in the voting, with a major league leading home run total of 52 and 141 RBI.
On the mound, Mike Cuellar takes the Cy Young Award by leading the Junior Circuit in wins (24) and ERA (2.23) while establishing himself as co-ace of the vaunted Orioles pitching staff that carried the Eastern Division Champions to 116 regular season victories. Cuellar completed 14 of 39 starts with 4 shutouts. The lefty was most impressive during the month of June, where he went 6-0 in 7 starts and allowed as his ERA dipped from 2.19 to 1.97.
It was the year for southpaws, as consideration for the award also went to teammate Dave McNally (23-7, 2.63) and Cleveland's Sam McDowell (23-12, 2.32).
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