08/20/26 - American Legion Baseball Awards - 2026 and selected prior winners
(MY selections)
#2025 Media Guide & Record Book American Legion World Series - https://issuu.com/theath1296/docs/2024_record_book
#American Legion Graduate of the Year -
Each year The American Legion honors a former American Legion Baseball player who is currently playing in the Major Leagues for his character, leadership, playing abilities and community service. Individuals are recommended by their respective post.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/american-legion-graduate-of-the-year
*Selected recipients -
Cal Raleigh - 2026
Chad Billingsley - 2013 - Napoleon/OH Post 300
Brandon Inge - 2010
Justin Verlander - 2008
Alan Trammell - 1989
Al Kaline - 1972
Mickey Lolich - 1968
Stan Musial - 1961
Ted Williams - 1960
Sherman Lollar - 1958
* * *
#George W. Rulon Player of the Year -
Through a special arrangement with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, a player is selected each year as the George W. Rulon Player of the Year. The award is based on integrity, mental attitude, cooperation, citizenship, sportsmanship, scholastic aptitude and general good conduct.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/george-w-rulon-player-of-the-year
*Selected recipients -
2026 Brodie McIntire from Lincoln Post 500, NE
2025 Wes Stubbe from Chesapeake Post 280, VA
2024 Cayden Smith from Midland Post 165, MI
2023 Jacob Cyr from League City Post 554, TX
2022 Brooks Bryan from Troy Post 70, AL
2021 Nate Rose from Idaho Falls Post 56, ID
*
2011 Blake Schmit, Eden Prairie, MN
2010 Brandon Drozd, Genoa NE
2009 Tyler Jacobson, Mixtacki-Johnson Post 337, Pulaski, WI
2007 Blaine T. Drozd, Post 263, Genoa, NE
2003 Jared Willis, Post 19, Logan, WV
2002 Ty Henkaline, Post 217, Sidney, OH
2001 Jay Threet, Post 275, Adrian, MI
1998 Chad Opel, Post 199, Edwardsville, IL
1991 Ryan Beeney, Newark Post 85, Newark, OH
1988 Mike Kessler, George Budde Post 507, Cincinnati, OH
1983 Michael Halloran, Edina Post 471, Edina, MN
1977 William Floyd Schell, South Bend Post 50, South Bend, IN
1972 Michael Charles Murphy, Ballwin Memorial Post 611, Ballwin, MO
1967 Ray Lynn Larsen, George W. Benjamin Post 791, Northbrook, IL
1965 Kenneth J. Fila, Omaha Post 1, Omaha, NE
1961 James J. Gerber, Edward C. Gehlert Post 554, Cincinnati, OH
1959 Fred Bowen, Jr., Thomas A. Edison Post 187, Detroit, MI
1957 Fred Fox, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati, OH
1955 Frank Birri, U. S. Postal Employees Post 216, Cincinnati, OH
1953 Charles Lindstrom, Winnetka Post 10, Winnetka, IL
1952 Russell Nixon, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati, OH
1949 Ray Herrara, Captain Bill Erwin Post 337, Oakland, CA
* * *
#The American Legion Baseball Slugger -
Since 1945, the American Legion has presented a slugger trophy to the player with the highest batting average during national competition.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/the-american-legion-baseball-slugger
*Selected recipients -
2026 Ryan Hemsley Portland Post 158, OR (.619)
2025 Keegan Haesler Chesapeake Post 280, VA (.583)
2024 Sam Ovsak, Fargo Post 2, ND (.528)
2023 Zack Hunt-Florence, SC Post 1 and Brady Cook-Florence, SC Post 1 (.500)
2022 Travis Bragg, League City Post 554, TX (.480)
2021 Kobe Senn, Fargo Post 400, ND (.542)
*
2017 Jordan Patty, Midland, Mich. (.529)
2012 Evan Ryan, Omaha, NE (.571)
2008 Brandon Bass, Omaha, Neb. (.576)
2006 Brady Shoemaker, Terre Haute, Ind. (.523)
1998 Chad Opel, Post 199, Edwardsville, Ill. (.632)
1997 Scott Deopere of Post 200, Rock Island, Ill. (.512)
1988 Scott Hughes, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati (.465)
1986 Mitch Hannahs, Community Post 66, Maynard, Ohio (.486)
1985 Gregg Olson, Omaha Post 1, Omaha, Neb. (.500)
1985 Steve Nelson, Omaha Post 1, Omaha, Neb. (.500)
1978 Douglas J. Palmer, Ben J. Seifert Post 132, New Ulm, Minn. (.679)
1977 William F. Schell, South Bend Post 50, South Bend, Ind. (.441)
1963 Jerry Mattingly, Funkhouser Post 8, Evansville, Ind. (.413)
1961 Kenneth McEwen, Omaha Post 1, Omaha, Neb. (.548)
1958 Kenneth Peters, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.420)
1957 Fred Fox, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.412)
1955 Richard Hergenrader, Lincoln Post 3, Lincoln, Neb. (.389)
1953 Charles Selinger, Winnetka Post 10, Winnetka, Ill. (.457)
1948 Don Hunter, Omaha Post 1, Omaha, Neb. (.397)
1947 George Moeller, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.500)
1946 Victor Kauffman, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.467)
1945 Lee Carrey, Morgan McDermott Post 7, Tucson, Ariz. (.400)
* * *
#American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award -
The Big Stick Award is given at the American Legion World Series to the player who rounds the most bases in regional and national competition.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/american-legion-baseball-big-stick-award
*Selected recipients -
2026 Colin Flurry, Tupelo Post 49, MS (25 total bases)
2025 Peyton Gray, Rockport Post 254, IN (38 total bases)
2024 Sam Ovsak, Fargo Post 2, ND (24 total bases)
2023 A.J. Evasco-Lincoln, NE Post 3 (23 total bases)
2023 Zack Hunt-Florence, SC Post 1 (23 total bases)
2022 Elliot Jones, Idaho Falls Post 56, ID (23 total bases)
2022 Travis Bragg, League City Post 554, TX (23 total bases)
2021 Jackson McCoy, Tupelo Post 49, MS (22 total bases)
*
2016 Zach Luckey, Omaha, NE (27 total bases)
2016 Angelo Bortolin, San Mateo, CA (27 total bases)
2012 Evan Ryan, Omaha, NE (36 total bases)
2011 Tony Skefte, Eden Prairie, MN (45 total bases)
2010 Matt Halloran, Eden Prairie, MN (34)
2009 Kyle O'Boyle, Midland, Mich.
2006 Brady Shoemaker, Terre Haute, Ind. (39)
2000 Al Smith, Post 1, Omaha, Neb (31)
1999 Brian Paone, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn. (48)
1988 Scott Hughes, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati (30)
1974 Gregory Allen Tooley, Jenkins Post 254, Rockport, Ind. (22)
1972 Keith Andrew Kauerz, Memphis Post 1, Memphis (38)
* * *
#Dr. Irvin L. "Click" Cowger RBI Memorial Award -
Dr. Irvin L. Cowger, a former Department of Kansas adjutant and devoted baseball supporter. The National Americanism Commission established an award in Cowger's name, sponsored by the Department of Kansas. The recipient is credited with the most runs batted in during regional and national competition.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/dr-irvin-l-click-cowger-rbi-memorial-award
*Selected recipients -
2026 Brayden Erickson Lincoln Post 500, NE (20 RBIs)
2025 Carter Stewart, Portland Post 158, OR (20)
2024 Nathan Ball, Midland Post 165, MI (13)
2023 Damon Suriani-Brooklawn, NJ Post 72 (12)
2022 Albert Garza League City Post 554, TX (12)
2022 Kyeler Thompson League City Post 554, TX (12)
Nick Valentine Chesapeake Post 280, VA (12)
2021 Stone Collier Tupelo Post 49, MS (13)
2021 Easton Hood Tupelo Post 49, MS (13)
*
2017 Zack Lucky, Omaha, NE, Post 1 (13)
2012 Taylor Elman, Omaha, NE (16)
2012 Evan Ryan, Omaha, NE (16)
2011 Blake Schmit, Eden Prairie, MN (18)
2009 Kyle O'Boyle, Midland, Mich.
2006 Brady Shoemaker, Terre Haute, Ind. (18)
2004 Troy Peterson, Eden Prairie, Minn. (20)
2001 Steve Larson, Post 1, Omaha, Neb. (16)
2000 Al Smith, Post 1, Omaha, Neb. (22)
1999 Brian Paone, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn. (26)
1991 Ryan Beeney, Post 85, Newark, Ohio (16)
1988 Scott Hughes, Post 507, Cincinnati (17)
1972 Michael Charles Murphy, Post 611, Ballwin, Mo. (12)
1970 John Gregory Dalton, Post 10, Wilmington, N.C. (12)
* * *
#Bob Feller Pitching Award -
Bob Feller was the first American Legion Baseball alumnus elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The recipient is the player with the most strikeouts in regional and national competition.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/bob-feller-pitching-award
*Selected recipients -
2026 Zach Papik of Bedford (N.H.) Post 54 (19 strikeouts)
2025 Aiden Parker, Chesapeake Post 280, VA (18)
2024 Tyler Ryden, League City Post 554, TX (39)
2023 Colten McAnelly, Cheyenne Post 6, WY (29)
2022 Merit Jones from Idaho Falls Post 56, ID (23)
2021 Aaron Savary, Dubuque County Post 137, IA (25)
*
2017 Jordan Patty, Midland, MI (19)
2014 Jake Meyers, Post 1, Omaha, NE (29)
2011 Colton Loomis, Midland, MI (35)
2009 Matt Stites, Festus, Mo. (30)
2001 Chad Billingsley, Post 300, Napoleon, Ohio (43)
1999 Steve Grasley, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn. (43)
1989 Jeff Thelen, Janesville Post 205, Janesville, Wisc. (34)
1988 Scott Klingenbeck, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati (36)
1985 Gregg Olson, Omaha Post 1, Omaha, Neb. (44)
1982 Robert Wassenaar, Edina Post 471, Edina Minn. (34)
1978 Glenn Roe, James Caldwell Post 185, Caldwell, N.J. (15)
* * *
#James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award -
The James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award is presented to a player who participates in the Legion World Series and best embodies the principles of good sportsmanship.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/james-f-daniel-jr-memorial-sportsmanship-award
*Selected recipients -
2026 Carter Harcek of Midland Post 165, MI
2025 Jackson Higgins, League City Post 554, TX
2024 Gunner Justice, Troy Post 70, AL
2023 A.J. Evasco, Lincoln Post 3, NE
2022 Deezil Luce, Idaho Falls Post 56, ID
2021 Stone Collier, Tupelo Post 49, MS
*
2017 Will Hanafan, Omaha Post 1, NE
2014 Tanner Gross, Post 165, Midland, MI
2010 Blake Schmit, Eden Prairie, Minn.
2009 Garret Yatch, Midland, Mich.
2006 Brady Shoemaker, Post 346, Terre Haute, Ind.
2003 Michael Badger, Post 92, Rochester, Minn.
1996 Andy Hoffman, Berry Hill Post 165, Midland, Mich.
1992 John Klopp, Merle Guild Post 208, Arlington Heights, Ill.
1988 Pete Rose, Jr., George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati
1982 Michael David Hufhand, James DeArmond Golliday Post 6, Kokomo, Ind.
1979 Stephen Michael Petersen, Barrington Post 158, Barrington, Ill.
1972 Robert Michael Umflett, Ballwin Memorial Post 611, Ballwin, Mo.
1958 Scott Seger, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati
1956 Bill Overdoing, Umpqua Post 16, Roseburg, Ore.
* * *
#Jack Williams Memorial Leadership Award -
Adjutant Jack Williams led the Department of North Dakota for 49 years before his death in 1967. Aware that proper adult leadership is an important component of success, Williams encouraged qualified men to work in the program. To honor Williams' memory, this award is presented to the manager and coach of the national championship team as outstanding representatives of adult leadership.
*full listing - https://www.legion.org/get-involved/youth-programs/baseball/american-legion-baseball-awards/jack-williams-memorial-leadership-award
*Selected recipients -
2026 Lincoln Post 500, NE coaching staff - Mychal Lanik, Rob Knaak, and Noah Kulhenek.
2025 Chesapeake Post 280, VA coaching staff - Larry Bowles, Clayton Inskeep, Justin Shockley and Mike Johnson
2024 Troy Post 70, AL coaching staff - Ross Hixon, Hunter Mann, Tanner Wells and Matt Whitton
2023 League City Post 554, TX coaching staff
2022 Troy Post 70, AL coaching staff - Ross Hixon and David Law
2021 Idaho Falls, Idaho Post 56 coaching staff
*
2011 Manager Scott Hackett and coaches Mike Halloran and John Buteyn, Eden Prairie, MN
2009 Dan Cronkright, Mgr., Steven Cronkright and Patrick Dawson, coaches, Midland, Mich.
2003 Coaches Tony Beck and Keith Kangas, Post 92, Rochester, Minn.
1999 Manager Jeff Larson, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn.
1999 Coaches Mark Paone and Mike Maslowski, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn.
1998 Manager Ken Schaake, Post 199, Edwardsville, Ill.
1998 Coaches Steve Haug, Keith Opel, and Mike Schaake, Post 199, Edwardsville, Ill.
1988 Manager John McMichen, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati
1988 Coach Tom Kilgore, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati
1983 Manager Clifton M. Olsen, Edina Post 471, Edina, Minn.
1983 Coach Bruce Barron, Edina Post 471, Edina, Minn.
1977 Manager Mel Machuca, South Bend Post 50, South Bend, Ind.
1977 Coach Bill Barcome, South Bend Post 50, South Bend, Ind.
1972 Manager Bill Bullock, Ballwin Memorial Post 611, Ballwin, Mo.
1972 Coach Donald J. Loehr, Ballwin Memorial Post 611, Ballwin, Mo.
1972 Coach Bob Umfleet, Ballwin Memorial Post 611, Ballwin, Mo.
1968 Manager Tony Gagliano, Memphis Post 1, Memphis
1968 Coach John Camp, Memphis Post 1, Memphis
* * *
#American Legion Word Series Champions (WikiPedia - )
*full listing - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Legion_Baseball
*Selected (by me) -
1926 – Yonkers, NY 321
1931 – Chicago, IL 493
1933 – Chicago, IL
1939 – Omaha, NE 1
1943 – Richfield, MN 435
1944 – Cincinnati, OH 50
1947 – Cincinnati, OH 50
1952 – Cincinnati, OH 50
1955 – Cincinnati, OH 216
1957 – Cincinnati, OH 50
1958 – Cincinnati, OH 50
1959 – Detroit, MI 187
1962 – St. Louis, MO 299
1972 – Ballwin, MO 611
1977 – South Bend, IN 50
1983 – Edina, MN 471
1988 – Cincinnati, OH 507
1998 – Edwardsville, IL Post 199
1999 – New Brighton, MN Post 513
2003 – Rochester, MN Post 92
2009 – Midland, MI Post 165
2011 – Eden Prairie, MN
2026 – Lincoln, NE Post 500
* * *
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