2006 Managers of the Year
Predicting the Predictable
While most people predict the more popular categories, I'd like to take a shot at predicting quite possibly the most predictable category. Managers of the Year. Typically, this award will go to the manager of a good team that was a bit better than they were the year before. I simply took a look back at the 2005 season, found a few disappointing teams, and am guessing that they won't be as disappointing this season. Also, having managers than everyone has heard of does not hurt. Without further ado...
2006 AL Manager of the Year: Joe Torre
The Yankees definitely had some issues last year in their road to the playoffs. They didn't make too many changes this year, although the addition of Johnny "Clean shavin' " Damon is certainly noteworthy. I expect less bumps this season, and 100 wins from these Yanks. ESPN will probably promote a 100-110 win season as the Yankees' "Return to Glory," so they would certainly give the award to Torre.
2006 NL Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker
I thought the Cubs were the most disappointing team in baseball last year. However, their offense was solid, and with the addition of Juan Pierre, it should be terrific (as long as Dusty gives Pierre the green light). If their pitching staff performs anywhere near expectations this year, they should be golden. Mark Prior, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano are an incredible Big 3 when healthy (not to mention three of the best hitting pitchers in baseball). I think the Cubs can continue the trend of curse-ridden teams winning World Series in 2006. As long as they come anywhere close that, Dusty should win Manager of the Year.
While most people predict the more popular categories, I'd like to take a shot at predicting quite possibly the most predictable category. Managers of the Year. Typically, this award will go to the manager of a good team that was a bit better than they were the year before. I simply took a look back at the 2005 season, found a few disappointing teams, and am guessing that they won't be as disappointing this season. Also, having managers than everyone has heard of does not hurt. Without further ado...
2006 AL Manager of the Year: Joe Torre
The Yankees definitely had some issues last year in their road to the playoffs. They didn't make too many changes this year, although the addition of Johnny "Clean shavin' " Damon is certainly noteworthy. I expect less bumps this season, and 100 wins from these Yanks. ESPN will probably promote a 100-110 win season as the Yankees' "Return to Glory," so they would certainly give the award to Torre.
2006 NL Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker
I thought the Cubs were the most disappointing team in baseball last year. However, their offense was solid, and with the addition of Juan Pierre, it should be terrific (as long as Dusty gives Pierre the green light). If their pitching staff performs anywhere near expectations this year, they should be golden. Mark Prior, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano are an incredible Big 3 when healthy (not to mention three of the best hitting pitchers in baseball). I think the Cubs can continue the trend of curse-ridden teams winning World Series in 2006. As long as they come anywhere close that, Dusty should win Manager of the Year.
posted by Daniel @ 8:16 PM
7 Comments:
At 6:46 PM,
Daniel said…
I agree with that statement, but I don't think that's how Manager of the Year is chosen. If the Cubs go from a losing team to a playoff team (95+ wins), voters will see that as a quick turnaround, not as a performance that was finally up to expectations.
At 7:07 PM,
Anonymous said…
Theres no way Dusty Baker wins this award, In fact, I would expect him to be amoung managers fired this year.
At 7:14 PM,
Anonymous said…
Frankly, Bobby Cox should win every year.. but I think if the brewers touch 500 again, Melvin should get it hands down.
At 7:19 PM,
Anonymous said…
I disagree with Torre, they have the best players, they should win at least 100 games. Now the A's...
If the cubs do well dusty is good though
At 8:37 PM,
C-Lew said…
Although as a Yankee fan, I'd be proud to have Torre win, I just don't see it happening. As the Yankees' lineup changes from year to year, I think it has less and less to do with what Torre does, and more the numbers that his players put up. Last year he did a good job picking the Yanks out of an early-season rut, but I think the talent on this team is too excessive for anyone to take him seriously as a manager.
Mike Scioscia (hardest name to spell in the Majors) has a good shot at winning the award, as his team's talent is immense, but horribly underrated
At 1:31 PM,
MIB said…
"Underrated?" Not exactly how I would describe Darin Erstad, Garret Anderson, Orlando Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, K-Rod.
Scioscia certainly gets the most out of them though, that's for sure.
If Detroit wins half its games, it will be hard for voters to ignore their old fave, Jim Leyland. Otherwise, Eric Wedge or Gardenhire will take the prize. Whichever one of them can overtake Ozzie's White Sox is my pick.
At 1:20 PM,
Daniel said…
So.... I pick Jim Leyland and Willie Randolph.
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