Winners Announced for the 2026 Players Choice Awards
Since 1992, Major Leaguers have honored their peers’ on-and off-field achievements through the Players Choice Awards, voted on exclusively by active MLB players. Players cast their ballots in clubhouses in September, with KPMG auditors overseeing the process.
This year, David Cone was the recipient of the prestigious Curt Flood Award, which commemorates Flood’s landmark fight against baseball’s reserve system that opened the door to free agency in the 1970s. Pete Crow-Armstrong earned both Player of the Year and NL Outstanding Player, Yordan Alvarez took home AL Outstanding Player and AL Comeback Player, and Chris Bassitt was named Marvin Miller Man of the Year. Check out the complete list of winners below.
2026 Marvin Miller Man of the Year - Chris Bassitt
This award is dedicated to Marvin Miller, who served as the MLBPA’s first full-time executive director from 1966 through 1982, and guided the organization’s emergence as one of the country’s strongest and most cohesive labor unions. It recognizes the player “whose leadership most inspires others to higher levels of achievement.”
The 2026 recipient, Chris Bassitt, has provided leadership and a steady, reliable voice in his role as an MLBPA player representative and member of the PA’s Executive Subcommittee. Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner and Twins starter Pablo López were the other finalists.
2026 Curt Flood Award - David Cone
The Curt Flood Award commemorates Flood’s historic judicial fight against baseball’s reserve system, which paved the way for the advent of free agency in 1975. This year’s winner is David Cone, a former Cy Young winner and five-time All-Star who is currently a successful broadcaster.
Cone was an active presence in MLBPA leadership over 17 seasons with the Royals, Mets, Yankees, and two other clubs. He played a pivotal role in CBA negotiations as American League player representative in 1994-95, when players went on strike for a record-setting 232 days to fend off a salary cap.
Player of the Year - Pete Crow-Armstrong
This award is given to the player who exhibited the best on-field performance. Pete Crow-Armstrong became the seventh player in history to amass 40 homers and 40 steals in the same year. His 45 home runs tied Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for most in the majors. He became the first player since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991 to finish among FanGraphs' top three in both offensive and defensive value.
Congratulations to all the exceptional winners on outstanding seasons, and thank you to all the players who voted!
To learn more about the awards, please visit https://www.mlbplayers.com/player-choice-awards.
