Winner: Lou Piniella, Chicago -- Story| Voting Results
User Choice: Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia
Danny Knobler's prediction: Lou Piniella
Fortunately for Piniella, votes were due before the Cubs' stunning playoff collapse. But if the three-game playoff fall showcased the worst of Piniella, the 162-game regular season helped show him at his best. The Cubs aren't an easy team to manage, because you keep getting reminded that they're supposed to lose. Piniella led the Cubs to the league's best record and won his sixth division title in 18 years as a big-league manager. Now he should win his third Manager of the Year award, although I couldn't blame voters if they choose Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel.
The candidates
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Jim Tracy, Rockies |
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Just compare the numbers and you'll see why Tracy is the frontrunner for this honor. Pre Tracy: 18-28 start and 14 1/2 games behind Los Angeles in the NL West. Post Tracy: 74-42 and three games behind the Dodgers with a wild-card playoff berth. The 92-70 finish (.568 winning percentage) was a franchise-best and it was the team's second postseason berth in three season. Replacing Clint Hurdle midseason could have been disastrous, but Tracy inspired his players and led them to the postseason. The Rockies became just the 16th team in history to advance to the postseason after replacing a manager in-season
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Bobby Cox, Braves |
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In September, Cox announced he would retire after 2010, leaving the Braves with the task of trying to replace the club's long-time manager. He has recorded 2,053 wins and three Manager of the Year awards with the Braves; one other Manager of the Year was granted in 1985 when he was with Toronto. The Braves finished the season 86-76 season, 14 wins over 2008 and competed for a postseason berth until late in the season.
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Joe Torre, Dodgers |
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Torre had several tools to push this team to the finish line with the best record in the NL, but he also faced many obstacles getting there. First, there's the distraction of the McCourt divorce. Throw in some Manny Ramirez performance-enhancing drama and a 50-game suspension. Finally, top it all off with inconsistent pitching and you have yourself a recipe for disaster -- unless Torre is managing. Some players, like Jonathan Broxton, rose to the occasion and others, like James McDonald, faltered, but either way Torre made it work.
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Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins |
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It's always the same story with the Marlins ... somehow they manage to compete with a roster of mostly little-known players and the lowest team payroll in the majors. Gonzalez is widely hailed for his efforts and he kept the club in contention through September 29th, coming within six games of the Phillies. In each of Gonzalez's three seasons at the helm, he has improved the club's winning record and the Marlins finished with the most wins since 2003 when they last won the World Series.
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Poll
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Who will be the NL Manager of the Year?
| 8% | Jerry Manuel NYM |
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| 22% | Lou Piniella CHC |
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| 7% | Tony La Russa STL |
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| 63% | Charlie Manuel PHI |
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| Total Votes: 3254 |
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| Past Results | | Year | Winner | | 2007 | Bob Melvin, Arizona | | 2006 | Joe Girardi, Florida | | 2005 | Bobby Cox, Atlanta | | 2004 | Bobby Cox, Atlanta | | Complete list | |
