BALTIMORE–Gunnar Henderson has had a special season, and the Orioles’ shortstop joins a select group of players who’ve been elected Most Valuable Oriole in consecutive years.
The 23-year-old Henderson is the eighth player, the first since Adam Jones won in 2011 and 2012, to win two years running.
“It’s pretty special to win it back-to-back years,” Henderson said Saturday before the Orioles played the Detroit Tigers. “I know there have been a lot of highly touted guys that have won this award, so very humbled to be part of that.”
Eddie Murray (1981-1985), Rafael Palmeiro (1995-1996), Jim Palmer (1972-1973), Boog Powell (1969-1970), Cal Ripken (1990-1991) and Frank Robinson (1966-1967) are the others.
“There are so many guys deserving of this award,” Henderson said.
Behind Henderson, the Orioles are closing in on a playoff berth for the second straight season. If the Orioles beat the Tigers on Saturday afternoon, and the Seattle Mariners lose to the Texas Rangers on Saturday night, the Orioles will clinch a spot.
Henderson was the starting shortstop for the American League in the All-Star Game, and his 37 home runs have set a team record for most by a shortstop.
He had a strong first half, and hit .234 with a .709 OPS in August before rebounding this month. In 17 September games, Henderson has hit .348 with a 1.034 OPS.
“Earlier in the year, I was doing what I felt like I wanted to,” he said. “Started scuffling a little bit, but overall it’s been a pretty consistent year. Happy with that, and even more happy with the room to grow, room to learn. I felt like the experiences I’ve gained in the second half are really going to help me down the road.”
Henderson says he’s most pleased with his .366 on-base percentage.
“I wasn’t really a leadoff hitter growing up,” he said. “Doing it at the big league level is something that I try to take care of just to help the guys behind us and put runs on the board.’
“It’s not that easy, and there’s been a lot of moments this year where he’s made it look easy,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s just so incredibly talented, so much so where nothing really surprises you anymore.
“The best left-handed pitchers in the game, some of the best pitchers in the game, period, and him just taking great at-bats…He has just had a lot of great moments. It’s a special, special person that is unbelievably driven…The guy never feels like he should make an out, When he makes an out, never feels like the pitcher got him out.
“He’s just wired that he’s got an incredible amount of confidence for somebody that young.”