I researched the history for the Managers of the Year that were announced today.
I couldn't find any Midwest League connection for Bud Black, but did you know that Ron Gardenhire managed the 1988 Kenosha Twins? He was the skipper and led them to an impressive 81-59 record. They lost in the MWL Finals that year to the Cedar Rapids Reds.
1988 was also the year the South Bend franchise started. Of course, they were known as the South Bend White Sox at the time. However, it's always interesting to find out that Ron Gardenhire once managed from the visiting dugout at Coveleski Stadium.
Showing posts with label Manager of the Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manager of the Year. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
MLB Managers of the Year
I've always felt that Manager of the Year Awards were silly. I'm thinking about this because it was just announced that Jim Tracy of the Colorado Rockies won the award in the NL this year, whereas Mike Scioscia won after leading the Angels to the ALCS.
Now, I don't want to discount what each of these managers achieved, but does anyone really know how good of a manager these guys are? For example, there are plenty of managers who never received a vote for the award when they were one team, then they go to a new team with better players and all of a sudden they are the best in the league? Or Joe Maddon of Tampa Bay and Lou Piniella of the Cubs won last season, but this year neither one got a single vote? Did they forget how to manage over the offseason?
A telling example in the Midwest League was the fact that Doug Dascenzo won the Manager of the Year Award this season. I like Doug, and I think he's a fine manager, but isn't it amazing that a guy who had missed the playoffs for two straight seasons is suddenly the best manager in the league when he gets a team full of top prospects?
With all that being said, I actually think that this year, the MLB Managers of the Year are probably the most legitimate that this award has ever been.
Consider that the Rockies were a train wreck through the first month of the season, they fire the manager, bring in Jim Tracy, and they end up making the playoffs. Same players, same ownership, but a new manager and they start winning. I think that goes a long way to proving he was deserving this season.
In the AL, the Angels dealt with more injuries than most teams, and had to overcome the death of Nick Adenhart. Perhaps Scioscia best managing job this season wasn't calling for the hit-and-run or knowing when to go to the bullpen, but rather keeping this team united and focused despite the tragic loss of a teammate.
So while the award itself is still a bit overrated, I think they got it right this season.
Now, I don't want to discount what each of these managers achieved, but does anyone really know how good of a manager these guys are? For example, there are plenty of managers who never received a vote for the award when they were one team, then they go to a new team with better players and all of a sudden they are the best in the league? Or Joe Maddon of Tampa Bay and Lou Piniella of the Cubs won last season, but this year neither one got a single vote? Did they forget how to manage over the offseason?
A telling example in the Midwest League was the fact that Doug Dascenzo won the Manager of the Year Award this season. I like Doug, and I think he's a fine manager, but isn't it amazing that a guy who had missed the playoffs for two straight seasons is suddenly the best manager in the league when he gets a team full of top prospects?
With all that being said, I actually think that this year, the MLB Managers of the Year are probably the most legitimate that this award has ever been.
Consider that the Rockies were a train wreck through the first month of the season, they fire the manager, bring in Jim Tracy, and they end up making the playoffs. Same players, same ownership, but a new manager and they start winning. I think that goes a long way to proving he was deserving this season.
In the AL, the Angels dealt with more injuries than most teams, and had to overcome the death of Nick Adenhart. Perhaps Scioscia best managing job this season wasn't calling for the hit-and-run or knowing when to go to the bullpen, but rather keeping this team united and focused despite the tragic loss of a teammate.
So while the award itself is still a bit overrated, I think they got it right this season.
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