Eddie Mayo - MVP Season (1945)

MVP Season (1945)

Going into the 1945 season, writers were skeptical about the middle of the Tigers' infield. Second baseman Mayo and shortstop Skeeter Webb were both 35 years old, and both had been back-up or utility infielders before the depletion of talent in World War II. Yet, Mayo went on to be selected as the Most Valuable Player by The Sporting News.

Prior to 1944, Mayo had never hit for a batting average higher than .227. In 1945, Mayo hit for a .285 average and .347 on base pecentage—both career highs. He also had 24 doubles and a career-high 10 home runs.

In addition to a fine offensive year, Mayo won his second Gold Glove award and led all American League second basemen with a .980 fielding percentage. The 35-year-old Mayo showed great range, as his range factor of 5.80 was 45 points higher than the league average.

Mayo's performance won him a spot on the American League's 1945 All Star team and helped lead the Tigers to the American League pennant. In fact, the man previously known as a good-field, no-hit infielder had the highest batting average among Tigers players with at least 300 at bats.

Teammate Hal Newhouser credited Mayo for sparking the Tigers' 1945 pennant drive, calling him the "take-charge guy in our infield."

Mayo also contributed to the Tigers victory over the Cubs in the 1945 World Series. He started all seven games of the Series and had 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 2 RBIs, and a .323 on base percentage.

In the decisive Game 7, Mayo went 2-for-5, scored two runs and had a double and 2 RBIs. He hit a fly ball to deep left field in the 6th inning narrowly missing a home run. Then, in the 8th inning, Mayo hit a double down the left-field line that scored Skeeter Webb. After advancing to third base, Mayo scored on a line drive to left field off the bat of Hank Greenberg. The runs that Mayo drove in and scored in Game 6 proved to the last World Series runs by the Detroit Tigers until 1968.

In post-season voting, Tigers pitcher Hal Newhouser won the official American League Most Valuable Player award with 9 first place votes, and Mayo finished second with 7 first place votes. However, The Sporting News gave Mayo the nod for its Most Valuable Player award.