Can there be an MVP on the losing side of a final playoff in sports?


can the losing team take home the MVP for a final in sports such as NFL, NBA, MLB, ect. If so, has it ever happened.

There certainly can, and it has happened on occasion:

* Chuck Howley was the MVP of Super Bowl V, though his team (Dallas Cowboys) lost to the Colts.

* Bobby Richardson was the World Series MVP in 1960, when his Yankees lost to the Pirates.

* Several players won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup finals when their team lost. Most recent was J.S. Giguere for the 2002-03 Ducks.

I don't think the NBA finals MVP has ever played for the losing team. I've included the page for that award below, just in case you can see one I've missed.


4 Comments »

  1. EJAG said :
    February 27, 2009 at 9:41 am


    nope, all known finals mvp came from the winning side in any sport.

    oops i was wrong..
    References :

  2. Mark C said :
    February 27, 2009 at 10:25 am


    There certainly can, and it has happened on occasion:

    * Chuck Howley was the MVP of Super Bowl V, though his team (Dallas Cowboys) lost to the Colts.

    * Bobby Richardson was the World Series MVP in 1960, when his Yankees lost to the Pirates.

    * Several players won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup finals when their team lost. Most recent was J.S. Giguere for the 2002-03 Ducks.

    I don't think the NBA finals MVP has ever played for the losing team. I've included the page for that award below, just in case you can see one I've missed.
    References :
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_MVP
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Series_MVP_Award
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conn_Smythe_Trophy
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals_MVP

  3. Christina D said :
    February 27, 2009 at 10:39 am


    Yes, Chuck Howley won the MVP for Super Bowl V, despite playing for the losing team (Dallas Cowboys).
    References :

  4. Sal said :
    February 27, 2009 at 10:45 am


    In the NHL, the MVP wins the Conn Smythe Trophy. It has been awarded to a player on a losing team 5 times. 4 of those 5 wins have been by goalies. Those players are:

    Roger Crozier (Detroit Red Wings) 1966

    Glenn Hall (St. Louis Blues) 1968

    Reggie Leach (Philadelphia Flyers) 1976

    Ron Hextall (Philadelphia Flyers) 1987

    Jean-Sebastian Giguere (Anaheim Ducks) 2003
    References :
    Hockey Hall Of Fame website

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