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Barry Larkin, Mike Schmidt, More Call for Landis to Be Removed from MVP Plaque

The MLB Most Valuable Player award bears the name of former commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. It may not remain there for long.

Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, who won the National League MVP in 1995, has questioned why Landis' name remains on the physical plaque.

"I was always aware of his name and what that meant to slowing the color line in Major League Baseball, of the racial injustice and inequality that Black players had to go through," the Hall of Famer said, per the Associated Press' Ben Walker.

Mike Schmidt, a three-time MVP winner, echoed Larkin's sentiment:

"If you're looking to expose individuals in baseball's history who promoted racism by continuing to close baseball's doors to men of color, Kenesaw Landis would be a candidate.