Gunnar becomes 8th player named Most Valuable Oriole in consecutive years

BALTIMORE -- In 2023, Gunnar Henderson won the Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award. He then went on to be named American League Rookie of the Year, receive an AL Silver Slugger Award and finish eighth in AL MVP voting.

Not too shabby for a first full season in the big leagues.

Now, the 23-year-old Orioles shortstop is getting recognized for a stellar sophomore showing.

On Saturday, Henderson was again named Most Valuable Oriole for the 2024 season. The award -- named after Hatter, a former Baltimore Sun reporter who covered the team for 27 years -- is voted on by members of the local media who cover the team on a regular basis.

Henderson became the eighth Orioles player to win the award in consecutive years, joining Adam Jones (2011 and ‘12), Rafael Palmeiro (1995 and ‘96), Cal Ripken Jr. (‘90 and ‘91), Eddie Murray (1981-85), Jim Palmer (‘72 and ‘73), Boog Powell (‘69 and ‘70) and Frank Robinson (‘66 and ‘67).

That’s quite an illustrious group, featuring four Hall of Famers (Murray, Palmer, Ripken, Robinson) and several more all-time greats in franchise history.

“Just the history of this team, just the caliber of players who have come through this team, it’s pretty special to win it back-to-back years,” Henderson said. “I know there have been a lot of very highly touted guys that have won this award, so I’m very humbled to be part of that.”

Although Henderson is only two full seasons into his MLB career, he’s already leaving his mark on Baltimore with his impressive play.

Entering Saturday, Henderson led the O’s in hits (171), runs scored (115), triples (seven), walks (74), batting average (.283), on-base percentage (.366), slugging percentage (.538) and OPS (.904). His 29 doubles were tied for the team lead with Ryan Mountcastle, while he ranked second in home runs (37), RBIs (87) and stolen bases (21).

Only four players in team history (since 1954) have recorded 30-plus homers and 20-plus steals in a season -- Henderson, along with Cedric Mullins (30 and 30 in 2021), Manny Machado (35 and 20 in ‘15) and Brady Anderson (50 and 21 in 1996).

Of Henderson’s 37 home runs, 10 have come in leadoff fashion -- two shy of the club record set by Anderson in 1996.

“There’s been a couple times where [Ryan] O’Hearn has been standing next to me [in the dugout] and Gunnar hits a homer leading off a game or doing something, and he just looks at me and we’re both like, ‘That is ridiculous,’” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “It’s not that easy. And there’s been a lot of moments this year where he’s made it look easy. He’s just so incredibly talented. So much so where nothing really surprises you anymore.”

Henderson’s 8.8 bWAR is easily the best on the Orioles, well ahead of right-hander Corbin Burnes, who ranks second at 3.2. The last time there was that large of a gap between Baltimore’s top two bWAR leaders at the end of a season was 1991 (Ripken at 11.5, with Mike Devereaux at 4.9).

There have been only two seasons in O’s history (1954-present) in which a player finished with a bWAR of 8.8 or higher, and both times, it was Ripken. He had 11.5 in 1991 and 10.0 in ‘84.

Balloting for Most Valuable Oriole occurred earlier this month, with votes counted on a 5-3-1 point system. Also receiving votes were Burnes, outfielder Colton Cowser, catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielder Anthony Santander, right-hander Albert Suárez and infielder Jordan Westburg.

“There are so many guys very deserving of this award, and I’m very humbled to be accepted for this award,” Henderson said. “It’s just a testament to the teammates we have on this team, because it helps me to feel comfortable. Like I said, there’s a lot of deserving guys on here.”