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Kenesaw Mountain Landis' Name Removed from MLB MVP Awards After BBWAA Vote

Major League Baseball's MVP awards will no longer bear the name of former commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis.

Per The Athletic's Marc Carig, the Baseball Writers Association of America voted to remove Landis' name from the awards.

Carig noted the BBWAA "will decide in 2021 if Landis' name will be replaced."

Landis is a controversial figure in MLB history because of his support for segregation. He was named the sport's first-ever commissioner in 1920 and served in that role for 24 years until he died at the age of 78 in 1944.

MLB historian John Thorn wrote earlier this year about Landis' efforts to keep the sport segregated during his time as commissioner:

"Landis could have broken the color bar in the 1920s, when he ruled the game with an iron fist and owners feared crossing him.