Major League Baseball’s awards week continued with the AL/NL Manager of the Year awards getting handed out today. Gabe Kapler of the San Francisco Giants took home NL honours, while Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash got the nod for the AL.
Kapler’s Giants led the majors with 107 wins, and took home a divisional title in a season where most prognosticators had them pegged as a distant 3rd behind LA and San Diego in the NL West. The win total was a franchise record for the Giants, while Kapler became only the 2nd Giants manager to earn the award.
The San Francisco bench boss was hired in 2019 to replace Bruce Bochy. Prior to assuming the role he enjoyed a 12 year major league career, winning the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004. Following his playing career, he briefly coached Team Israel, worked as an analyst for FOX, and was appointed the Dodgers Director of Player Development. He was also manager for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2018-2019.
On the American League side, Kevin Cash became the first manager in AL history to win the award in back to back seasons. The legendary Bobby Cox had previously won the award in 2004 and 2005 for the NL.
Once again the Tampa Bay Rays ran roughshod over the AL East despite having the 5th lowest payroll in the majors. The Rays finished below .500 in their first 3 seasons under Cash, however since then have been a model of consistency in the American League. They were a wildcard team in 2019, went to the World Series in 2020, and set a franchise record for wins in 2021 en route to an AL East divisional title.
Cash defended his title with relative ease earning 109pts on voters ballots, and securing 19 of a possible 30 first place votes. Scott Servais of the Mariners, and Dusty Baker of the Astros finished in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Awards week continues with league MVPs and Cy Young awards still to come.