2003 MWWL AWARD WINNERS
The 2003 Mid-West Winter League (MWWL) season was far more than just another year on the calendar; it was a defining chapter in baseball history that will be celebrated for its unprecedented concentration of elite talent. From breathtaking, record-shattering power displays that completely rewrote the offensive leaderboards to the unadulterated dominance of untouchable aces commanding the mound, this campaign delivered wire-to-wire drama. Fans were treated to legendary individual performances across the board, witnessing generational hitters post staggering slugging percentages approaching the .800 mark, while master-craftsmen in the starting rotations suffocated opposing lineups with jaw-dropping earned run averages well below 1.50. Furthermore, high-stakes, late-inning leads were completely neutralized by ice-cold relievers who simply refused to yield, all while brilliant tacticians in the dugout meticulously pulled the strings, navigating a grueling marathon of a schedule to guide their franchises toward the ultimate prize
Now, as the dust finally settles on this unforgettable campaign and the highly anticipated final ballots have been tallied, it is time to enshrine the newest class of league royalty. The Mid-West Winter League is incredibly proud to officially present the 2003 MWWL Award Winners
Here is your comprehensive look at the standout athletes and masterful managers who transcended the competition, defined an era, and rightfully took home the prestigious hardware this season.
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For the full list of winners and more in-depth coverage, don’t forget to check out the 2003 MWWL Awards Voting Page.
Most Valuable Player: The Year of the Sluggers
A.L. MVP: Barry Bonds, Castle Rock – There was simply no stopping Barry Bonds in the American League. Bonds ran away with the MVP voting, capturing first place with an overwhelming 149 points, while Chicago’s Carlos Delgado finished as the runner-up with 96 points.
. Bonds was an absolute terror at the plate, leading the AL with an astronomical .758 Slugging Percentage and a .479 On-Base Percentage.
. He smashed a league-leading 55 home runs, drew 113 walks, and led the AL with 130 runs scored.
. Bonds’ staggering 184.6 Runs Created further cemented his status as the most dangerous hitter in the league.
N.L. MVP: Javy Lopez, Flora-Bama – In the National League, Flora-Bama’s Javy Lopez put together one of the most remarkable seasons in recent memory, claiming the MVP award with 157 points and comfortably outpacing Valdosta’s Manny Ramirez, who finished second with 99 points.
. Lopez hit for both average and elite power, leading the NL with a .350 Batting Average and a towering .785 Slugging Percentage.
. His raw power resulted in a league-best 58 home runs and 131 Runs Batted In.
Cy Young Award: Mound Mastery
A.L. Cy Young: Pedro Martinez, Chicago – Pedro Martinez took home the AL Cy Young with 47 points, besting Fort Worth’s Kevin Brown (31 points) in the voting.
. Martinez was practically unhittable throughout the 2003 campaign, logging a sparkling 1.34 ERA over 228.0 innings pitched.
. He racked up a 22-7 record (.759 win percentage) and sat down 218 batters on strikes.
. Hitters managed a meager .138 batting average against him, and he tossed 4 shutouts over the course of the season.
N.L. Cy Young: Jamie Moyer, Flora-Bama – Flora-Bama snagged another major award as Jamie Moyer won the NL Cy Young with 34 points, fending off Baltimore’s Tim Hudson (20 points).
. The veteran lefty showcased his trademark durability and precision, tying for the league lead with a 22-7 record.
. Moyer accumulated a stellar 2.88 ERA while leading the National League with a tireless 256.2 innings pitched.
Rookie of the Year: The New Kids on the Block
A.L. Rookie of the Year: Mark Teixeira, California – The AL Rookie of the Year race was an intra-squad battle, but Mark Teixeira took the crown for California. Teixeira earned 32 points, edging out his own teammate, Morgan Ensberg, who finished second with 20 points.
N.L. Rookie of the Year: Brandon Webb, Hampton – Brandon Webb secured the NL Rookie of the Year honors with 37 points, pulling ahead of Aaron Guiel (24 points) from Winnipeg.
. Webb made an immediate impact on the mound for Hampton, racking up 178 strikeouts while limiting batters to a stingy 6.8 hits per nine innings over his 202.1 frames of work.
Rolaids Reliever of the Year: Shutting the Door
A.L. Rolaids Reliever: Damaso Marte, Corktown – The American League saw a highly competitive race for the top reliever. Corktown’s Damaso Marte narrowly secured the award with 32 points, squeaking past Fort Worth’s Joe Borowski, who had 24 points.
. Marte locked down games all season long, converting 42 saves with an elite 87.5% save opportunity percentage.
. He maintained a brilliant 1.87 ERA and struck out a phenomenal 98 batters over just 86.2 innings.
N.L. Rolaids Reliever: Rheal Cormier, Long Beach – The National League featured an even tighter battle for the bullpen crown. Rheal Cormier of Long Beach captured the award with 46 points, barely edging out Tom Gordon (40 points) in a nail-biter of a vote.
. Cormier posted an incredible 1.59 ERA over 85.0 innings of relief.
. He secured 32 saves while allowing an astonishingly low 5.4 hits per nine innings.
Manager of the Year: The Masterminds
A.L. Manager of the Year: Jarl Jackson, Fort Worth – It takes a great mind to navigate the grueling MWWL season, and Jarl Jackson proved he was the best in the AL this year. In a very close ballot, Jackson earned 40 points to take the title, narrowly holding off Sarge Stauffer (35 points) of Southlake.
N.L. Manager of the Year: Chris Douglass, Flora-Bama – To cap off an incredible awards haul for Flora-Bama, Chris Douglass was named the NL Manager of the Year. It was a fiercely contested, three-way sprint to the finish line: Douglass garnered 35 points, just barely edging out Hollywood’s Steve Cutler (31 points) and Long Beach’s Peter Kilmarx (28 points).
A Season to Remember
The 2003 MWWL Awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also the spirit of competition and the love of the game. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees—your achievements have inspired fans and set new benchmarks for greatness. As we look ahead to another thrilling season, the bar has never been higher, and the excitement never greater!
For the full list of winners and more in-depth coverage, don’t forget to check out the 2003 MWWL Awards Voting Page.