Manager of the Year
National League
The Contenders
Fredi Gonzalez: Florida Marlins; record 87-75
Fredi brings his own brand of Latino Justice to the clubhouse
Gonzalez held his young team together in the month of May which could have set a destructive pace for the rest of the year. On April 19th, the pubescent Marlins were in first place at a sizzling 11-1 after drawing the Nationals six of the season’s first nine games. On May 24th, The Marlins were reeling from losing 22 of 29; sitting slightly above Washington at the cellar of the NL East, with a 18-23 record. In what could have been the start of deadly tailspin, Gonzalez was able to correct the ship, with what one could only imagine by twisting the jib, and keep Florida in the race well into September. Florida had no reason to be competitive this year but was able to get the most out of its good, but raw young players. There was talk during the season that Marlins’ management was looking to replace Gonzalez at season's end; they really should have been in talks for a contract extension.
Jim Tracy: Colorado Rockies; record 92-70 (74-42 under Tracy)
loses points for stealing Cito Gaston's sitting style
The Rockies were 18-28 on May 29th when Jim Tracy was named manager on an interim basis, replacing Clint Hurdle. Tracy proved to be the right man for the 2009 Rockies. Under Tracy, Colorado was able win the Wild Card and challenge the Dodgers for the division right up until baseball’s last weekend. They were just outclassed by a better team in the playoffs but these awards are supposed to reflect the regular season, which many find are to believe. From the day he took over in Denver, the Rockies posted the best record in all of baseball, 32 games above the .500 mark and that should still give him enough cred for the award.
Tony La Russa: St. Louis Cardinals; record 91-71
The former lawyer was only ejected once this season; he's still got the touch
People forget the question marks that surrounded his team in the spring. Can Adam Wainwright really be relied on to lead this rotation? Could Chris Carpenter regain his Cy Young form after missing most of the last two seasons? And the most important question: would the game’s best player be able to retain his abilities after undergoing surgery to repair a nerve in his right elbow that had caused him problems all last season? Fortunately for the Cardinals, the answer to all three were a resounding Y-E-S. The Cardinals received some help from unexpected places: Joel Pinero chipped in with 15 wins. Journeyman Ryan Franklin assumed the role of closer and posted 38 Saves with a 1.92 era. The acquisition of Matt Holliday at the trade deadline was a huge boon for the line up tallying .353, 13 HR and 55 RBI in 63 games. Put those numbers in your line up you have quite the squadron. While he may be a long shot to win the award, the writers could choose to honor La Russa for his decade of achievement. He last won the award in 2002 and his ability to keep a team at the their best season in and season out could factor into this decision.
Joe Torre: Los Angeles Dodgers; record 95-67
he doesn't just manage with his good looks
Despite finishing with the NL’s best record, the Dodgers did it in seemingly unspectacular fashion. After a very hot start, the team had continued success in the post-Manny steroid scandal; the Dodgers basically had a playoff spot locked up by the All-star Break. They coasted the rest of the season and ended up about one week away from losing the division to the Rockies. While you can give him credit essentially clinching a playoff birth mid-season, all the voters will remember at this point is the faltering down the stretch and a quick loss to the Phillies in the NLCS. It may be unfair but this is how it works, he has less than a 1% at best
Winner: Jim Tracy
Only La Russa could possibly upset here, Tracy should walk away with this award under no duress, it’s his to lose. Posting a sparkling 0.638 winning percentage and a playoff appearance basically places him in the Usain Bolt role, no one’s catching Tracy.
American League
Ron Gardenhire: Minnesota Twins; record 87-76
he ran out of Skoal and needed to get to the store, post haste
Gardenhire rallied the troops to a 16-4 mark to end the year and force a one game playoff with the Detriot Tigers for the AL Central title. They made up six games in 21 days and beat the Tigers in a thrilling play in game to earn the right to get decimated by the Yankees in the ALDS. This season could have taken a nasty downfall after superstar first baseman Justin Morneau opted for season ending surgery on September 12th but Gardenhire was able to use it as motivation for his Twins. So, for the 5th time in 8 seasons, he was able to lead Minnesota to the Central crown. Despite a lackluster playoff record, Gardenhire should be in line for the award as he has never been recognized before.
Joe Girardi: New York Yankees; record 103-59
here he auditions for the role of Forest Gump's more retarded brother
Girardi led the Bronx Bombers to the best record in baseball as they were the only team to eclipse 100 wins in 2009. Unfortunately for Girardi, most don’t see it as a crowning achievement, leading the Yankees to the best record that is. Another black mark for Joey G is his 2006 NL Manager of the Year Award, which he received in Florida and then was promptly fired. Writers may be unwilling to bestow the award on such a green manager again so quickly. The problem I have with these arguments is that they discredit the excellent job Girardi did all season long. Being the manger of New York requires more to handle than just baseball; he must deal with the media scrutiny and diva personalities that the Yankees’ roster boasts. He was able to manage those personalities and mitigate the problems that could have come with A-Rod and his steroid scandal. He had the ship righted all season long and has kept it going into the playoffs. There’s really no reason not to give it to him but I have an inclination that this isn’t his year.
Mike Scioscia: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; record 97-55
Scioscia after being told that red is slimming
Another year, another AL West division crown for Scioscia’s Angels; that’s six in the last eight years if you're keeping track at home. He falls in the same category as Tony La Russa but in the American League. If he wins, it will be an achievement award for his decade of success. Unfortunately, the banality of Scioscia as the winner may factor into the writers’ decision to pass on him this season. There’s really no reason not to give him the award, he led a team plagued with injuries to a 97-65 record and was the glue his team needed after the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart during the season’s first week. People know he’s a great manager and was rewarded in 2002 but this award tends to be given to a manager that brings a team from obscurity to prominence, I guess they believe that consistency is overrated.
Jim Leyland: Detroit Tigers; record 86-77
Leyland: doing his part to get a cameo on Mad Men
Jim Leyland’s 2009 Tigers were much like the last cigarette from a pack of his beloved Marlboros Reds; good to the last puff but ultimately discarded. The 95 looking, 64 year old had his team fighting until the very end but were unable to vanquish the rival Twins in the team’s 163rd game. Hopes weren’t high for the Tigers coming into the year but Leyland was able to make overachievers out of his players. He brings a passion to the game like no other, who else takes 7th inning smoke breaks in the clubhouse, and it seems to have seeped into his players. They all love to play for him which is an intangible that a lot of teams wish their manager could bring, it’s basically half the battle. Losing the division title on the last weekend combined with his victory in 2006 will probably take him out of the race but he deserves to be mentioned nonetheless.
Winner: Ron Gardenhire:
The combination of their comeback and character, as the plucky small market team who competes every year, should tip the scales in favor of Gardenhire. He may not be the most deserving but the writers will make themselves feel good by voting for him and the decision rests with them.
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