Ted Williams, 1946

Despite batting .406 with 37 homers, 120 RBIs, and a .551 on-base percentage in 1941, Williams didn't win his first MVP award until five seasons later. (The Yankees' Joe DiMaggio took the honor in '41, batting .357-30-125 while putting together his astounding 56-game hitting streak.) Williams made up for it in '46, returning from a three-year military commitment to bat .342 with 38 homers, 123 RBIs, and an 1.164 OPS.