Maddon, Piniella Named Managers of the Year

by Baltimo on Nov 12, 2008 4:47 PM EST

I think it's well deserved in both cases. Maddon was pretty much the clear cut choice in the American League as he orchestrated a masterful run with his team. Although he made some questionable decisions in the posteason, you can't disregard what Joe did during the 162 game stretch. A lot of people foresaw the Rays making significant imrpovements in 2008, but not many analysts/fans envisioned Tampa Bay pushing an NL team to five and a half games in the World Series. Ron Gardenhire, who finished second in the AL voting, was in a similar situation as Maddon. Both skippers had young, talented teams with a relatively low payroll, but in the end, Maddon led his team into the playoffs for the first time whereas Gardenhire came up just short.

The choice of Lou Piniella is a bit less convincing as Chicago had a ton of proven veterans going into the season, but you can't really pin the honor on any other guy in the National League. A case could plausibly me made for Charlie Manuel, Joe Torre or maybe even Tony La Russa, but Piniella led his team to an impressive 97-64 record. You can fault Lou for a lot of things, but he is a winner wherever he goes, sans Tampa Bay.

Congrats.

FanPosts are user-created content and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Camden Chat or SB Nation. They might, though.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm so sick of hear about the genius of Maddon

Rays did a great job; but I don’t know if I give all the credit to some witty press conferences and an occasional 5 man infield. Yeah I know; 9=8.

I guess all winning managers get too much credit, but for some reason I find it exceptionally annoying with Joe.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Nov 12, 2008 5:47 PM EST reply actions

maddon

I have to admit that I don’t know a whole lot about Joe Maddon, but I will say he handled his team in such a zen like manner in the playoffs that I could be nothing but impressed. Plus any guy over 40 who has a fawkin mohawk is either a dreg of society or worthy of a lot of respect. I’m going with the latter in his case.

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Nov 13, 2008 12:13 AM EST up reply actions

Manuel should have won it in the NL

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Nov 12, 2008 9:45 PM EST reply actions

These things are based on the regular season

And Manuel just squeaked in even with three perennial MVP candidates and a Cy Young caliber ace.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Nov 12, 2008 10:32 PM EST up reply actions