With a National League leading 31 home runs in 1981, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Mike Schmidt led the league for the second consecutive year and fifth overall, winning this Mel Ott Memorial Award, which is presented annually to the player who hits the most home runs in the National League. This award has been named in honor of Mel Ott each year since 1959. Schmidt would pass Mel Ott on the all-time home run leaders list 11 years later with a memorable three home run performance against the Montreal Expos at Stade Olympique on June 14, 1987.

This 11 ½ x 13 ½-inch framed display contains a pewter relief likeness of Ott staring pensively to one side with his chin resting on top of his hands holding the knob end of a baseball bat and “MEL OTT MEMORIAL AWARD” engraved around his likeness with “HOME RUN CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONAL LEAGUE” written beneath with a National League logo crest at the intersection of two crossed bats. “1981 MIKE SCHMIDT Philadelphia Phillies 31 Home Runs” is engraved on a small 1.5” x 2.5” name plate contained within the blue backing of framed display. This is the actual award given to Mike Schmidt, it is not a replica and no duplicates were ever authorized by Schmidt.

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