Our MLB Monday miniseries today moves to one of the most memorable postseasons in recent times. You’ll remember why below; however, it’s also key to note that this was the last postseason in MLB history without a divisional series—which began in 1995 with the inclusion of a wild-card team from each league. Thus, after next week’s abbreviated entry here, we will be expanding. Fun times for all, since … well, yeah.

1993 World Series MVP: Paul Molitor, DH, Toronto (original); Duane Ward, RP, Toronto (revised)

The Toronto Blue Jays defended their World Series title, becoming the first repeat champions since the 1978 New York Yankees, by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in 6 games. This Fall Classic is most famous for Blue Jays right fielder Joe Carter and his walk-off, Series-winning home run in Game 6; alas, his teammate—designated hitter Paul Molitor (1.452 OPS)—was named the MVP in a surprisingly non-emotional vote.

Carter himself had a good series (8 RBI, .810 OPS), but with the team scoring 45 runs in 6 games, it seems every Toronto hitter could have won the award. What about Blue Jays pitchers? Well, only reliever Duane Ward (1-0, 2 saves, 0.643 WHIP, 7 Ks in 4 1/3 IP) stands out: the Toronto staff coughed up 6 runs per game itself. So, while many batters stood out in one way or another, only Ward really did his job on the mound.

Ward saved Game 1 at home and then saved the crazy, 15-14 victory on the road in Game 4. Down 14-9 entering the 8th inning and knowing the Fall Classic would be tied if they lost, the Blue Jays rallied for the win—and Ward secured it in the 9th inning. That was huge. Then, Ward got the win in Game 6 with Carter’s heroics. Maybe it was circumstantial, but again, no other Toronto pitcher did his job anywhere near as well.

Molitor was just one of 3 batters to post a 1.000-plus OPS; was just one of 2 batters to hit at least .450 in the matchup; was just one of 4 batters with at least 6 RBI; and was just one of 5 batters to draw at least 3 walks. Yes, he was the “best” of the bunch, but again, seemingly every Toronto hitter excelled in this World Series. Therefore, we re-assign this award to Ward, because he was the only Blue Jays pitcher to really show up.

1993 ALCS MVP: Dave Stewart, SP, Toronto (original); Molitor (revised)

The Blue Jays eliminated the Chicago White Sox in 6 games, after winning the first 2 games on the road. Former Oakland Athletics ace Dave Stewart (2-0, 2.03 ERA), now pitching for Toronto, won the MVP vote, but his rotation mate Juan Guzmán was just as good (2-0, 2.08 ERA). Stewart won Games 2 and 6, while Guzmán won Games 1 and 5. Why the voters chose Stewart is just sentimental, when Guzmán was equal.

None of the other Toronto pitchers were worthy, so what about the hitters? Well, this is where Molitor gets his due for hitting .391 in the matchup with 5 RBI, 3 BBs, and a 1.177 OPS. He was clearly the offensive leader for the victors in a series where the Blue Jays outscored the White Sox by a narrow 26-23 margin. All these things work out in the end, you know, as we have said many times in this space over the last 4-plus years.

1993 NLCS MVP: Curt Schilling, SP, Philadelphia (original); Mitch Williams, RP, Philadelphia (revised)

The Phillies upset the Atlanta Braves, beating them in 6 games to prevent a three-peat performance in the NLCS. Philadelphia SP Curt Schilling (1.69 ERA, 19 Ks) won the MVP vote as 3 of the Phillies’ victories came by 1 run each. Schilling didn’t win either of his starts, though, which is odd; instead, RP Mitch Williams posted 2 victories and 2 saves, having a hand in every Philadelphia win here. What gives?

Well, Williams also had a 1.69 ERA in the matchup, so other than the closer’s unsightly WHIP (1.500), we’re not sure what was going on here. Even if we consider the relief results to be circumstantial, we’ve seen relievers win this vote before in similar circumstances. Oh well; let’s look at the Phillies hitters, too. There are some performances and some solid ones, too, but no standouts. We’re going with Williams here, then.

1993 AL MOTY: Gene Lamont, Chicago (original); Cito Gaston, Toronto (revised)

White Sox Manager Gene Lamont (plus-2 PPP) won the vote for this award with his team finishing 8 games ahead in the AL West. Meh. Meanwhile, again, Blue Jays Manager Cito Gaston (plus-4 PPP) was a difference maker for his team that finished 7 games atop the AL East. Is this more racism, still? Just seems unreal that we see the data and give Gaston another one of these trophies when the voters never did him right. Sad.

1993 NL MOTY: Dusty Baker, San Francisco (original); Felipe Alou, Montréal (revised)

While San Francisco Giants Manager Dusty Baker (plus-5 PPP) helped his team finish just 1 game behind the Braves in the NL West, Philly Manager Jim Fregosi (plus-4 PPP) also guided his team to 3-game edge in the NL East. However, Montréal Expos Manager Felipe Alou (plus-8 PPP) might have been the best of the bunch in leading his team to a second-place finish behind the Phillies. Baker won the vote at the time.

So, how do we view this? Baker, at this point, is fine with us since he wasn’t enabling any cheaters on this S.F. roster. Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox (even-0 PPP) didn’t provide much resistance, though, while Fregosi had to overcome Alou. In a year when 4 managers on winning teams posted at least a plus-4 PPP mark, this gets tricky. Fregosi or Alou? Well, the latter was twice as good in pushing the former, so that’s our answer. Shrug.

Thus, for only the second time now, we have overruled all awards’ voting results at the time. Sometimes that happens, although we expect it to happen a few more times going forward. Only time will tell.