Today, the MLB awards season continues as the Manager of Year honors are doled out to the respective leagues.
I do expect the Rangers’ Ron Washington to win it for the American League; meanwhile, Bud Black should win the honor in the National League for what he did for the San Diego Padres. It’s amazing the job he did getting his team to stay in the playoff hunt before they started to wilt in September.
Despite Bruce Bochy’s Giants’ winning the World Series, he doesn’t get it – in my opinion. The same for Charlie Manuel of the Phillies, and the legendary Bobby Cox of the Braves (who got the most of his team than anyone in 2010 ever expected).
As for the Orioles’ Buck Showalter, do I seriously expect him to get some consideration? Maybe?
To win it at all — no. Who knows is his magic touch will continue in 2011 and beyond. It can’t be understated that once Showalter took over as the manager of the team, it was almost like the players got the message and shaped up.
Add to that scenario the return of Brian Roberts, Felix Pie, a healthy Koji Uehara, plus a pitching staff that seemed to mahically improve, Buck should deserve all the praise in the world and more. Who knows if the Orioles we saw in the finals two months who they were really were — or a just squad that really played well beyond their talents?
Also, Showalter did a lot to make a potentially historically bad team into just a bad team record-wise.
While he may have finished well over .500 going 34-23 since early August, the body of work isn’t there to merit much consideration. The Rangers’ Ron Washington should win not only because of what his team did on the field, but also his personal story off of it.
I guess winning in sports is all the redemption one needs.
That’s enough to take the honor.
Apologies to Ron Gardenhire (who I cannot believe has never won one), Terry Francona, Joe Girardi and Joe Maddon (who I really like).
