The World Series MVP the year you were born

Five home runs in seven games is impressive no matter what the date on the calendar says, but pull that off in late October and you're likely to win the World Series MVP. Astros outfielder George Springer did just that, while also slashing .379/.471/1.000 to lead Houston to the first championship in franchise history. 

Zobrist hit .357 over seven games to earn MVP and also his second World Series win in a row after winning a ring with the Royals the season prior.

The Royals catcher went 8-for-22 with two RBI, as the Royals defeated the Mets to win their first World Series in 30 years.

Bumgarner carried the Giants on his back for the entire playoffs. The lefty was particularly great in the World Series, going 2-0 with only one run allowed in 21 innings against the Royals. No other Giants pitcher threw more than 7.1 innings.

Big Papi was on fire against the Cardinals in the World Series, going 11-for-16 with two home runs, six RBI, seven runs and eight walks for a 1.948 OPS.

Despite a mediocre regular season, Sandoval was great in the World Series. He went 8-for-16 with three home runs and four RBI vs. Detroit.

Freese had a World Series that will never be forgotten, saving the Cardinals in Game 6 against the Rangers. He went 8-for-23 with one run and seven RBI during the series.

The veteran shortstop reinforced his reputation as a clutch playoff hitter, going 7-for-17 with two home runs and six RBI as the Giants won their second World Series in three years.

The powerful Yankees defeated the Phillies with the help of Matsui, who went 8-for-13 with three home runs and eight RBI.

Hamels pitched like Philadelphia's ace in the franchise's World Series win over Tampa Bay, going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings.

Lowell's contribution helped the Red Sox beat Colorado in the World Series, as he went 6-for-15 with one run, four RBI and six runs scored.

The 83-win Cardinals shocked the baseball world with their World Series run, and Eckstein was one of the catalysts. He went 8-for-22 with four RBI during the World Series.

Dye helped power the White Sox to a World Series win over the Astros, going 7-for-16 with one home run and three RBI.

The Red Sox finally broke the curse with a four-game sweep of the Cardinals in the World Series. Ramirez was on fire in the four games, going 7-for-17 with one home run and four RBI.

Beckett dominated the Yankees, posting a 1.10 ERA in two starts over 16.1 innings. He had 19 strikeouts over his two starts.

Glaus powered the Angels over a seven-game series, going 10-for-26 with three home runs and eight RBI.

Johnson and Schilling were co-MVPs in an epic seven-game series against the Yankees. Johnson went 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. Schilling went 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 21.1 innings.

Mr. November went 9-for-22 with two home runs in the Yankees' win in the Subway Series vs. the Mets.

Rivera closed out two games and made three appearances in the Yankees' sweep of the Braves in the World Series.

Brosius went 8-for-17 with two home runs and six RBI, as the Yankees beat the Padres in four games.

Hernandez burst on the scene to go 2-0 in Florida's seven-game series win over Cleveland.

Wetteland closed out all four wins for the Yankees and made five appearances. He allowed only one run in 4.1 innings against the Braves.

Glavine was dominant in two starts against the Indians, going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA for the Braves.

The World Series wasn't played in 1994 due to the MLB strike.

Molitor got the nod over Joe Carter in Toronto's World Series win over Philly, as he went 12-for-24 with two home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored.

Borders was 9-for-20 with one homer and three RBI, as the Blue Jays beat the Braves in six games.

Minnesota took down Atlanta in a seven-game series, and Morris was the difference-maker in the Twins' pitching staff. He went 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA, throwing 23 innings over three starts.

Rijo started and won two games in Cincinnati's sweep of Oakland, going 2-0 with only one run allowed in 15.1 innings.

Stewart dominated the Giants in two starts during a four-game sweep, going 2-0 with three earned runs allowed in 16 innings.

Hershiser won both of his starts in the five-game series vs. Oakland, throwing two complete games and allowing only two runs.

Viola started three games vs. the Cardinals, going 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA for the Twins.

Knight went 9-for-23 with one homer and five RBI, as the Mets beat the Red Sox in seven games.

Saberhagen dominated the Cardinals in two starts, going 2-0 with only one run allowed over two complete games.

Trammell was the most productive player in the Detroit lineup over the five-game World Series win over San Diego, going 9-for-20 with two home runs and six RBI.

Dempsey and the Orioles beat the Phillies in five games to win the World Series in 1983. Dempsey went 5-for-13 with one home run.

Porter helped vault the Cardinals over Milwaukee in seven games, going 8-for-28 with one homer and five RBI.

Cey, Guerrero, and Yeager were co-MVPs for the Dodgers in their six-game World Series win over the Yankees. Cey went 7-for-20 with one home run and six RBI, Guerrero was 7-for-21 with two home runs and seven RBI, and Yeager was 4-for-14 with two homers and four RBI.

Schmidt was 8-for-21 with two home runs and seven RBI, as the Phillies won over the Royals in six games.

Stargell went 12-for-30 with three home runs and seven RBI in a huge offensive showing during Pittsburgh's seven-game World Series win over Baltimore.

Dent and the Yankees took down the Dodgers in six games. The Yankees shortstop went 10-for-24 with seven RBI during the series.

Mr. October truly became the legend in the 1977 World Series, going 9-for-20 with five home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored vs. the Dodgers.

Bench had his way in Cincinnati's sweep of the Yankees, going 8-for-15 with two home runs and six RBI.

Rose helped the Reds win over the Red Sox in seven games, going 10-for-27 with two RBI.

Fingers appeared in four games in the five-game series win over the Dodgers, converting two saves and allowing two runs in 9.1 innings.

Jackson went 9-for-29 with one home run and six RBI for the A's, as they beat the Mets in seven games.

Tenace helped Oakland to a seven-game World Series win over Cincinnati, with four home runs and nine RBI. He went 8-for-23 for the series.

Clemente led the Pirates in a seven-game World Series victory over Baltimore, going 12-for-29 with two home runs and four RBI.

Robinson went 9-for-21 with two home runs and six RBI, as the Orioles beat the Reds in five games.

Clendenon went 5-for-14 with three home runs in the Mets' five-game World Series win over the Orioles.

Lolich was dominant in three starts for the Tigers, going 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings as the Tigers beat St. Louis in seven games.

Gibson was spectacular in a seven-game series vs. Boston, going 3-0 with three complete games. He allowed only three earned runs in 27 innings and fanned 26 batters.

Robinson was 4-for-14 with two home runs, as the Orioles swept the Dodgers.

Koufax tore through the Twins lineup three times, going 2-1 with only one earned run allowed in 24 innings. He fanned 29 batters for the series.

Gibson was the key to the Cardinals' seven-game series win over the Yankees, going 2-1 with two complete games and a 3.00 ERA.

Winning his first of two World Series MVPs, Koufax went 2-0 with two complete games in the Dodgers' four-game sweep of the Yankees. He allowed three runs and struck out 23 batters.

Terry started three games for the Yankees, going 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 25 innings. He also won the decisive Game 7.

Ford made it look easy in his two starts against the Reds, throwing 14 scoreless innings as the Yankees won in five games.

Richardson was on fire during the seven-game World Series vs. Pittsburgh, going 11-for-30 with one homer and 12 RBI. The Pirates still won the series over the Yankees.

Sherry went 2-0 with two saves in four relief appearances for the Dodgers. He allowed one run in 12.2 innings.

Turley appeared in four games, including two starts, as the Yankees defeated the Milwaukee Braves in seven games. He went 2-1 with one save, allowing five runs in 16.1 innings.

Burdette threw three complete games for the Braves, as they beat the Yankees in seven games. He allowed only two runs in 27 innings.

Larsen won the World Series MVP, throwing 10.2 innings and allowing four runs — none earned — over two games. Of course, he's best remembered for throwing a perfect game in Game 5.

Podres threw two complete games and went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA, as the Dodgers beat the Yankees in seven games.