Last weekend the world would receive the three finalist nominees for all of the MLB Awards. Those awards will be announced next week. So with that in mind, the Laracuente Ledger tosses in their unofficial ballot for the 2019 MLB Manager of the Year.
NL Manager of the Year Nominees
Craig Counsell
Mike Shildt
Brian Snitker
Ledger’s Pick: Davey Martinez- Washington Nationals
Yes, I realize that the Ledger’s choice for NL Manager of the Year isn’t among the final candidates. But Davey Martinez should be on that nominee list. Even if you discount the PostSeason, Martinez did an incredible job with the Nationals in 2019. (BBWAA members ballots for Regular Season Awards are handed in before the playoffs. That’s the reason we are overlooking the PostSeason.) On May 23rd, the Nationals were 19-31, twelve games under .500. And for the Nationals to come back and be in the playoffs. And ultimately win the World Series is even more impressive. Therefore, the NL Manager of the Year should be Davey Martinez.
But as Davey isn’t among the final three candidates, we must select a different choice. And with that, we choose Mike Shildt of the St. Louis Cardinals. Shildt and the Cardinals were expected to be competitive this season. But the favorites at the outset of 2019 were undoubtedly the Chicago Cubs. The Cards and Cubs would battle all season long. And the Cardinals under Shildt’s leadership would prevail.
Estimated Actual Winner: Mike Shildt- St. Louis Cardinals
AL Manager of the Year Nominees
Rocco Baldelli
Aaron Boone
Kevin Cash
Ledger’s Pick: Aaron Boone- New York Yankees
While Rocco Baldelli’s Minnesota Twins and Kevin Cash’s Tanpa Bay Rays had tremendous seasons. There is only one man that should walk away as the AL Manager of the Year. That man is Aaron Boone. Boone over the past two seasons has won over one hundred games each season. This makes Aaron Boone the first manager in Major League Baseball history to win over 100 games in their first two seasons.
Aaron Boone and the Yankees dealt with an insane amount of injuries this season. For Aaron Boone to be able to keep his team playing at an extremely high level through the injuries is what should win him the AL Manager of the Year.
