whatifsports.com/slb/Boxscore.aspx

POG Ernie Banks: 1-4 (a single), Run, 3 RBI

Willie McCovey (from the losing side): 5/5, 4 HR, 4 Runs, 6 RBI

Sure, give Banks some extra points for being on the winning team, but when there's this big a gulf between performances I think you've got to give POG to McCovey...

I don't have the link anymore, but I had a Babe Ruth get POG while being on the losing side, but for some dubious reasons.  It happened right after the fielding change came into play and I had some terrible fielding Ruth with or without 1B eligability playing first, not sure what season it was.  It seamed to me during that version of SLB, it didn't really matter who you plugged into 1B.  Well the fielding change took account and Ruth played horribly for the rest of the year.  During the game he got POG he committed 5 errors at 1B.  The POG said something like "Babe Ruth has a terrible day in the field." and gave him the award.

"It seems that the POG is the player who had the most impact, positive OR negative on the outcome of the game."

I think you'r right.  But IMO, POG should be something like MVP of the game, not biggest hero of the winning team or biggest goat from the losers.  It also leaves no room for a performance like McCovey's (above) to be recognized.

Which would bother me if it had any actual significance...

It has no significance, in the same way the all-star rosters, MVP and Cy Young and ROY winners, Golden Glovers and Silver Sluggers, etc., have no significance (but a lot of us still appreciate those features).  All I'm saying is, if it's there, why not make it worthwhile.

Here's another crap POG game pick:

www.whatifsports.com/slb/Boxscore.aspx

Nothing new to contribute, but I support you crazystengel. POG could be handled better, and I for one love that it's a part of the boxscore. One of my favorite parts of the season is checking the All-Star rosters, significance be damned.

Yeah, I just had Gavvy Carath at 3b, he made 4 errors, and he got player of the game in a loss for "having a terrible day in the field"