The Legacy Awards are presented annually by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) to the best players, managers, and executives in each league of Major League Baseball, for on- and off-the-field achievement. The awards—for performance and achievement—are named for legendary players of Negro Leagues Baseball. The awards were first presented for the 2000 Major League Baseball season.
The first Legacy Awards—in 2000—were presented in November at the "Legacy 2000 Players’ Reunion and Awards Banquet", which was organized to honor the tenth anniversary of the opening of the museum and the eightieth anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League. For the next nine years (2001–2009), each year's awards were presented at a banquet in January or February of the following year. In 2010, there was no banquet. Instead, the awards were presented at separate events at the museum and in various major-league ballparks through the spring of 2011. The twelfth annual awards (for 2011) were presented at an awards banquet on January 28, 2012.
In January, 2013 Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick announced that the 2013 awards banquet would be the final one held. All further awards will be presented to the 2010 awards, at various MLB ballparks or if the award winner happens to be in Kansas City with his team to play against the Royals. The logistics of off-season travel were the primary reason cited by Kendrick for the permanent change. Indeed, of all those honored for their 2012 season only the Padres Everth Cabrera, traveling from his off-season home in Nicaragua, was able to make it to Kansas City for the January 12th banquet and presentation. Previously, the proceeds from the Legacy Awards annual banquet were used for the benefit of the museum.
See footnote
For winners, see each award (below)
Oscar Charleston Legacy Award – "Most Valuable Players" in the National (NL) and American (AL) leagues
Pitcher of the Year – "Pitchers of the Year" in the NL and AL:
Leroy "Satchel" Paige Legacy Award (2000–2005)
Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award (2006–present)
Larry Doby Legacy Award – "Rookies of the Year" in the NL and AL
Hilton Smith Legacy Award – "Relievers of the Year" in the NL and AL
Walter "Buck" Leonard Legacy Award – batting champions in the NL and AL
Josh Gibson Legacy Award – "Home Run" leaders in the NL and AL
James "Cool Papa" Bell Legacy Award – "Stolen Base" leaders in the NL and AL
Charles Isham "C. I." Taylor Legacy Award – "Managers of the Year" in the NL and AL
Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award – "Executives of the Year" in the NL and AL
John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Legacy Award – in recognition of "Baseball and Community Leadership"
Sam Lacy Legacy Award – "Baseball Writer of the Year"
Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award – for "Career Excellence in the Face of Adversity"
John "Buck" O'Neil Legacy Award – to a local or national corporate/private philanthropist for "Outstanding Support of the NLBM"
Hall of Game Award – Former Major League Baseball stars
The Oscar Charleston Legacy Award is given annually to the "Most Valuable Players" in the National and American leagues.
2001: Jason Giambi (Athletics; AL)
2002: Barry Bonds (Giants; NL) and Alex Rodriguez (Rangers; AL)
2003: Alex Rodriguez (Rangers; AL)
2004:
2005: Alex Rodriguez (Yankees; AL)
2006: Ryan Howard (Phillies; NL) and Derek Jeter (Yankees; AL)
2007: Jimmy Rollins (Phillies; NL) and Alex Rodriguez (Yankees; AL)
2008: Albert Pujols (Cardinals; NL) and Joe Mauer (Twins; AL)
2009: Albert Pujols (Cardinals; NL) and Joe Mauer (Twins; AL)
2010: Joey Votto (Reds; NL) and Josh Hamilton (Rangers; AL)
2011: Matt Kemp (Dodgers; NL) and Curtis Granderson (Yankees; AL)
2012: Mike Trout (Angels; AL)and Andrew McCutchen (Pirates; NL)
Note: It is unknown which year the award name was changed from the Leroy "Satchel" Paige Legacy Award to the Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award.
The Satchel Paige Legacy Award was given annually to the best pitchers in the National and American leagues.
2001: Roger Clemens (Yankees; AL)
2002: Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks; NL) and Barry Zito (Athletics; AL)
2003:
2004:
2005:
The Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award is given annually to the "Pitchers of the Year" in the National and American leagues.
2006: Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks; NL) and Johan Santana (Twins; AL)
2007: Jake Peavy (Padres; NL) and C.C. Sabathia (Indians; AL)
2008:
2009: Chris Carpenter (Cardinals; NL) and Zack Greinke (Royals; AL)
2010: Roy Halladay (Phillies; NL) and C.C. Sabathia (Yankees; AL)
2011: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers; NL) and Justin Verlander (Tigers; AL)
2012: R.A. Dickey (Mets; NL) and David Price (Rays; AL)
Note: This should not be confused with the Larry Doby Award, which is presented to the MLB "Futures Game" MVP.
The Larry Doby Legacy Award is given annually to the "Rookies of the Year" in the National and American leagues.
2001:
2002: Jason Jennings (Rockies; NL) and Eric Hinske (Blue Jays; AL)
2003:
2004:
2005: Ryan Howard (Phillies; NL)
2006: Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals; NL) and Justin Verlander (Tigers; AL)
2007: Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies; NL) and Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox; AL)
2008:
2009: Andrew McCutchen (Pirates; NL) and Elvis Andrus (Rangers; AL)
2010: Buster Posey (Giants; NL) and Neftalí Feliz (Rangers; AL)
2011: Craig Kimbrel (Braves; NL) and Eric Hosmer (Royals; AL)
2012: Bryce Harper (Nationals; NL) and Mike Trout (Angels: AL)
The Hilton Smith Legacy Award is given annually to the "Relievers of the Year" in the National and American leagues.
2002: John Smoltz (Braves; NL) and Eddie Guardado (Twins; AL)
2003:
2004:
2005:
2006: Trevor Hoffman (Padres; NL) and Francisco Rodríguez (Angels; AL)
2007: José Valverde (Diamondbacks; NL) and Joe Borowski (Indians; AL)
2008:
2009: Heath Bell (Padres; NL) and Brian Fuentes (Angels; AL)
2010: Brian Wilson (Giants; NL) and Rafael Soriano (Rays; AL)
2011: Craig Kimbrel (Braves; NL) (tie), John Axford (Brewers; NL) (tie), and José Valverde (Tigers; AL)
2012: tie – Jason Motte (Cardinals; NL), Craig Kimbrel (Braves; NL) and Jim Johnson (Orioles; AL)
The Walter "Buck" Leonard Legacy Award is given annually to the batting champions in the National and American leagues.
2001: Larry Walker (Rockies; NL)
2002: Barry Bonds (Giants; NL) and Manny Ramirez (Red Sox; AL)
2003:
2004:
2005:
2006: Freddy Sanchez (Pirates; NL) and Joe Mauer (Twins; AL)
2007: Matt Holliday (Rockies; NL) and Magglio Ordóñez (Tigers; AL)
2008: Chipper Jones (Braves; NL)
2009: Hanley Ramírez (Marlins; NL) and Joe Mauer (Twins; AL)
2010: Carlos González (Rockies; NL) and Josh Hamilton (Rangers; AL)
2011: Jose Reyes (Mets; NL) and Miguel Cabrera (Tigers; AL)
2012: Buster Posey (Giants; NL) and Miguel Cabrera (Tigers; AL)
The Josh Gibson Legacy Award is given annually to the "Home Run" leaders in the National and American leagues.
2001: Barry Bonds (Giants; NL) and Alex Rodriguez (Rangers; AL)
2001: Alex Rodriguez (Rangers; AL)
2002: Sammy Sosa (Cubs; NL) and Alex Rodriguez (Rangers; AL)
2003: Alex Rodriguez (Rangers; AL)
2004:
2005: Alex Rodriguez (Yankees; AL)
2006: Ryan Howard (Phillies; NL) and David Ortiz (Red Sox; AL)
2007: Prince Fielder (Brewers; NL) and Alex Rodriguez (Yankees; AL)
2008: Ryan Howard (Phillies; NL)
2009: Albert Pujols (Cardinals; NL), Carlos Peña (Rays; AL) (tie), and Mark Teixeira (Yankees; AL) (tie)
2010: Albert Pujols (Cardinals) and José Bautista (Blue Jays; AL)
2011: Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers; NL) and José Bautista (Blue Jays; AL)
2012: Ryan Braun (Brewers; NL) and Miguel Cabrera (Tigers; AL)
The James "Cool Papa" Bell Legacy Award is given annually to the "Stolen Base" leaders in the National and American leagues.
2001: Juan Pierre (Rockies; NL) (tie), and Jimmy Rollins (Phillies; NL) (tie)
2002: Luis Castillo (Marlins; NL) and Alfonso Soriano (Yankees; AL)
2003:
2004:
2005:
2006: Jose Reyes (Mets; NL) and Carl Crawford (Devil Rays; AL)
2007: Jose Reyes (Mets; NL), Carl Crawford (Devil Rays; AL) (tie), and Brian Roberts (Orioles; AL) (tie)
2008:
2009: Michael Bourn (Astros; NL) and Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox; AL)
2010: Michael Bourn (Astros; NL) and Juan Pierre (White Sox; AL)
2011: Michael Bourn (Braves; NL), Coco Crisp (Athletics; AL) (tie), and Brett Gardner (Yankees) (tie)
2012: Everth Cabrera (Padres; NL) and Mike Trout (Angels; AL)
The Charles Isham "C. I." Taylor Legacy Award is given annually to the "Managers of the Year" in the National and American leagues.
2000: Dusty Baker (Giants; NL)
2001:
2002: Tony La Russa (Cardinals; NL) and Mike Scioscia (Angels; AL)
2003: Dusty Baker (Cubs; NL)
2004:
2005:
2006: Willie Randolph (Mets; NL) and Jim Leyland (Tigers; AL)
2007: Bob Melvin (Diamondbacks; NL) and Eric Wedge (Indians; AL)
2008:
2009: Jim Tracy (Rockies; NL) and Mike Scioscia (Angels; AL)
2010: Dusty Baker (Reds; NL) and Ron Washington (Rangers; AL)
2011: Kirk Gibson (Diamondbacks; NL) and Ron Washington (Rangers; AL)
2012: Dusty Baker (Reds; NL) and Buck Showalter (Orioles; AL)
Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award
The Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award is given annually to the "Executives of the Year" in the National and American leagues.
2000:
2001: Pat Gillick (Mariners; AL)
2002: John Schuerholz (Braves; NL) and Bill Stoneman (Angels; AL)
2003:
2004: Walt Jocketty (Cardinals; NL) and Terry Ryan (Twins; AL)
2005:
2006: Omar Minaya (Mets; NL) and Terry Ryan (Twins; AL)
2007: Dan O'Dowd (Rockies; NL) and Mark Shapiro (Indians; AL)
2008: Tony Reagins (Angels; AL)
2009: Dan O'Dowd (Rockies; NL) and Jack Zduriencik (Mariners: AL)
2010: Brian Sabean (Giants; NL) and Jon Daniels (Rangers; AL)
2011: Doug Melvin (Brewers; NL) and Dave Dombrowski (Tigers; AL)
2012: John Mozeliak (Cardinals; NL) and Billy Beane (A's; AL)
The John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Legacy Award is given annually in recognition of "Baseball and Community Leadership".
2007: Jimmie Lee Solomon (executive vice president of baseball operations, Major League Baseball)
2008:
2009: Mike Cameron (Milwaukee Brewers)
2010:
2011: Michael Young (Rangers)
2012: Adam Jones (Orioles)
The Sam Lacy Legacy Award is given annually to the "Baseball Writer of the Year".
2007: Larry Whiteside (Boston Globe) (posthumously)
2008:
2009: Claire Smith (ESPN)
2010:
2011: La Velle E. Neal, III (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
2012: Harold Reynolds (MLB.com)
The Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually for "Career Excellence in the Face of Adversity".
2002: Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson (manager of the Montreal Expos and the first African-American manager in the major leagues)
2003:
2004:
2005:
2006: Don Newcombe (former Negro Leagues and Major League great)
2007: Orestes "Minnie" Minoso (first black player to play for the White Sox, in 1951)
2008:
2009: Joe Morgan (baseball analyst, ESPN; former Major League player)
2010: Frank White (baseball broadcast analyst; former Kansas City Royals infielder)
2011: Lou Brock (Baseball Hall of Famer)
2012: Charley Pride (Country Music Hall of Famer and former Negro Leagues player)
The Buck O'Neil Legacy Award is given annually to a local or national corporate/private philanthropist for "Outstanding Support of the NLBM".
2002: Bruce Boeger (regional director, Lincoln-Mercury) and Joe Sorrentino (senior account executive, Pepsi)
2003:
2004:
2005:
2006: Ralph Reid (vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sprint Nextel Corporation) and Larry Stewart (chairman, ServiceMark Telecom)
2007: Spence Heddens (Kansas City Market President, Bank of America) and Jim Kenney (agency field executive, State Farm Insurance Companies)
2008:
2009: Bud Selig (commissioner, Major League Baseball)
2010:
2011: Ollie Gates (owner, Gates & Sons Bar-B-Q) and JE Dunn Construction Company
2012: Joe Posnanski (sportswriter), and James B. Nutter & Co. (Kansas City business)
The Hall of Game Award was established by the NLBM on February 13, 2014. The Hall of Game annually honors former Major League Baseball (MLB) stars who played the game with the same passion, determination, flair and skill exhibited by the heroes of the Negro Leagues. In addition to the ceremony, Hall of Game inductees will also receive permanent recognition as part of the future Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center being developed by the NLBM at the site of the Paseo YMCA, the birthplace of the Negro Leagues.
2014: Lou Brock, Roberto Clemente, Joe Morgan, Dave Winfield.
2015: Rickey Henderson, Ferguson Jenkins, Ozzie Smith, Luis Tiant, Jr.
