With just about a month left in the season, the candidates for each award in both leagues begin to get thrown out there. Manager of the year is one of the more underrated awards in the league, but doesn't always go to the manager of the top team in the league. That's because the manager of the year award doesn't always deserve to go to the top team, because it's the one award regarding leadership. Which manager had such an impact on their team, and truly lead their team to the heights they reached that season? It's the one award that isn't all about the statistics.
This year's selection will not be an easy choice due there not being one clear-cut dominant team in MLB, a favorite to make it to the World Series. There are a lot of races up in the air, no division leader is pulling away too far, besides the Nationals, but even they have struggled.They have mainly taken advantage of the Braves' inconsistency throughout the season.
Matt Williams could be a strong candidate in the NL since the Nationals have dominated this season, one year late according to some experts. Many expected them to make a strong playoff run last season but they did not, and missed the playoffs. Meanwhile, one year later, Williams has them leading the way in the NL East in his first season. The Brewers were a team not expected to do much this season, with the question mark of Ryan Braun's returned, and how he will fare with the team and fans following his suspension. The Brew-Crew has been in first place of the NL Central for nearly the entire season, which may put Ron Roenicke in to consideration. That division race is far from over though, with the Cardinals and Pirates staying alive behind Milwaukee.
In the American league it is the same kind of story as it is in the National League. The Angels were expected to challenge in the AL last year with the additions of Pujols and Hamilton joining Trout. They are a year late, leapfrogging the A's in the AL West for the majors' best record, and currently sit in a battle for first. This may put Mike Scioscia, the longest current tenured manager, in the running. The Seattle Mariners were not expected to do much behind first-year manager Lloyd McClendon. Their offense hasn't done much outside of Cano, which is ironic with McClendon recently a hitting coach in Detroit. But their pitching, lead by King Felix, has them currently sitting in a wild card spot, right in the thick of the race.
The final candidate may be a surprise to some, but how about Joe Girardi of the Yankees? Yes, as of now the Yankees are on the outside looking in, but they sit much higher in the standings than expected. With the injuries during the season, and the players they lost in the off-season, the Yankees were expected to be overshadowed by the Derek Jeter farewell. But they have made the right moves, both in the front office and in the dugout, to keep themselves in contention. Joe Girardi has players who have struggled on other teams playing every day, and contributing to the team. Although, the Yankees may have to make the playoffs for Girardi's chance to be legitimate. But the way the season is looking, the manager of the year may not come from a playoff team.
This year's selection will not be an easy choice due there not being one clear-cut dominant team in MLB, a favorite to make it to the World Series. There are a lot of races up in the air, no division leader is pulling away too far, besides the Nationals, but even they have struggled.They have mainly taken advantage of the Braves' inconsistency throughout the season.
Matt Williams could be a strong candidate in the NL since the Nationals have dominated this season, one year late according to some experts. Many expected them to make a strong playoff run last season but they did not, and missed the playoffs. Meanwhile, one year later, Williams has them leading the way in the NL East in his first season. The Brewers were a team not expected to do much this season, with the question mark of Ryan Braun's returned, and how he will fare with the team and fans following his suspension. The Brew-Crew has been in first place of the NL Central for nearly the entire season, which may put Ron Roenicke in to consideration. That division race is far from over though, with the Cardinals and Pirates staying alive behind Milwaukee.
In the American league it is the same kind of story as it is in the National League. The Angels were expected to challenge in the AL last year with the additions of Pujols and Hamilton joining Trout. They are a year late, leapfrogging the A's in the AL West for the majors' best record, and currently sit in a battle for first. This may put Mike Scioscia, the longest current tenured manager, in the running. The Seattle Mariners were not expected to do much behind first-year manager Lloyd McClendon. Their offense hasn't done much outside of Cano, which is ironic with McClendon recently a hitting coach in Detroit. But their pitching, lead by King Felix, has them currently sitting in a wild card spot, right in the thick of the race.
The final candidate may be a surprise to some, but how about Joe Girardi of the Yankees? Yes, as of now the Yankees are on the outside looking in, but they sit much higher in the standings than expected. With the injuries during the season, and the players they lost in the off-season, the Yankees were expected to be overshadowed by the Derek Jeter farewell. But they have made the right moves, both in the front office and in the dugout, to keep themselves in contention. Joe Girardi has players who have struggled on other teams playing every day, and contributing to the team. Although, the Yankees may have to make the playoffs for Girardi's chance to be legitimate. But the way the season is looking, the manager of the year may not come from a playoff team.
