MLB Manager of the Year candidates

Yesterday, we took a peek at my candidates for Rookie of the Year in both leagues. Today, I'll reveal my nominees for Manager of the Year.

Let's start in the National League. I have four managers that I feel could win the award. Here's my list in no particular order.

First, Tony LaRussa of the St. Louis Cardinals. A lot of people had the Chicago Cubs winning this division and the Cards wouldn't be that competitive. As usual, LaRussa gets the last laugh. What's scary is that right now the Cards are the best team in the National League because they are so balanced. With the acquisitions of Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa, and Julio Lugo, it's not so easy to pitch around Albert Pujols. And LaRussa almost always pushes the right buttons.

Next, Joe Torre of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I know the Dodgers have struggled recently but people may forget the job Torre did while Manny Ramirez was serving his 50 game suspension for trying to get pregnant. His starting pitching collapsed for a bit but the front office got Torre a couple of pitchers for the stretch run and the Dodgers should win the NL West...all because of Torre.

Another NL West manager is Jim Tracy of the Colorado Rockies. He wasn;t even the manager in Colorado when the season began. But shortly after the season started, Clint Hurdle's agic had runs its course and Tracy was given the job. And what a job he's done. This season is a little bit reminiscent of the run the Rockies made a couple of years ago when the were in the World Series. At one time, the Rockies were 15 1/2 gaes behind the Dodgers. They're right behind them now and Tracy's laid back attitude compared to Hurdle's in-your-face style has been the difference.

Fianlly, I look at Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants. Like the Rockies, the Giants were under the radar this season. We knew they had pitching with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Randy Johnson, but we didn't think we'd see the re-emergence of Barry Zito or the coming out party of the Kung Fu Panda, Pablo Sandoval. Throw in a career offensive year from Bengie Molina, and it makes for a good season in the Bay Area.

This isn't really a race in my mind.
1. Tracy
2. Bochy
3. LaRussa
4. Torre

I only see two legit candidates in the American League with a dark horse.

You can't have an American League Manager of the Year discussion without talking about Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers. The only people that might have even had the Rangers alive for a playoff spot were those in the Arlington area. The Rangers have surprised everyone and have battled the Boston Red Sox for the Wild Card for the last two months. At one point, the Rangers were challanging the Angels for first place and actually held first place for a period of time this year. Washington is sure to garner some votes.

The manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Mike Scioscia is also in the mix. Early in the season, the Angels had evey reason in the world to throw it all in after the tragic death of Nick Adenhart. But the Angels decided to rally around their fallen teammate. The one thing that stands out is when Scioscia was at a press conference and he admitted he didn't exactly know what he was going to do until he talked to his players. Whatever the result, the Angels have become a threat to take not only the American League title, but the World Series along with it.

The dark horse...Joe Girardi of the New York Yankees. Washington and Scioscia will get most of the votes for first but Girardi could sneak in and win. I say that because his players respond to him and that's what makes a good manager a great manager, respect from your players. The Yankees are now able to just play baseball because Girardi will let them. And there's really no pressure for the Yankees players.

This could be a lot closer than people think, but I like Scioscia.
1. Scioscia
2. Washington
3. Girardi