If you’re sick of the New York Yankees winning all the time, this is the MLB Monday miniseries entry for you (sort of). In truth, we are more excited about next month when we can start analyzing the contemporary picks for World Series MVP. Alas, we still have to choose our own today and next week. That’s okay: it’s been a fun time since the first World Series doing this for your entertainment—and our future book publishing!

1953 World Series MVP: Billy Martin, 2B, New York (AL)

The Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in six games to claim a record fifth-straight World Series title. With the Fall Classic tied at two games apiece, the Bronx Bombers won Game 5 in Brooklyn and then clinched the championship back at Yankee Stadium in Game 6. Our leading candidates for MVP include infielder Billy Martin (2 HRs, 8 RBI, 1.478 OPS) and catcher Yogi Berra (1 HR, 4 RBI, 1.158 OPS). That’s it, really.

Outfielder Mickey Mantle may have hit the big blow in Game 5, but Martin delivered throughout the Series, leading his team in HR, RBI, and OPS. The last mark is what stands out, as Berra was a distant second on the team. Martin had five XBHs in the matchup, among his team-best 12 hits. Berra was second with 9 hits, by the way. This just has to be Martin’s hardware; no question about it.

1953 AL MOTY: Lou Boudreau, Boston

With the Yanks winning the pennant by 8.5 games, all N.Y. Manager Casey Stengel had to do to win this award was finish with a positive PPP mark. But he did not (minus-2). Instead, the best PPP effort, by far, from the skipper of a winning team came in the form of Boston Red Sox Manager Lou Boudreau (plus-5). His team ran fourth, 16 games out of first. But his managerial efforts topped the league, nonetheless.

1953 NL MOTY: Chuck Dressen, Brooklyn

Brooklyn Manager Chuck Dressen wins this award for the third year in a row, as his team won the pennant by 13 games—and his plus-6 PPP mark was the best of any winning team in the senior circuit, and by a lot. Only John McGraw and Joe McCarthy have matched three straight in this category, so our hats are off to Dressen for his leadership.