Which Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher was named the 1988 World Series Most Valuable Player?

Orel Hershiser was the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher named Most Valuable Player of the 1988 World Series.

Hershiser’s award capped one of the greatest seasons ever produced by a starting pitcher. During the regular season, he won 23 games, led the National League in innings pitched, captured the National League Cy Young Award, and set a major-league record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings. He then carried that dominance into October.

In the World Series against the heavily favored Oakland Athletics, Hershiser pitched a shutout in Game 2. In the decisive Game 5, he threw a complete game as the Dodgers finished the series with a 4–1 victory. His performance was especially notable because the series is often remembered primarily for Kirk Gibson’s dramatic, injured pinch-hit home run in Game 1.

Hershiser also won National League Championship Series MVP honors that postseason. He remains the only player to win the Cy Young Award, League Championship Series MVP, and World Series MVP in the same season. The 1988 Dodgers championship was their first since 1981.