Ron Gardenhire and Bud Black receive manager of the year awards
On Wednesday 17 November, the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) bestowed Manger of the Year accolades upon Ron Gardenhire and Bud Black. Gardenhire managed the Minnesota
Twins to a first place finish in the Central Division of the American League. Black’s San Diego Padres finished in second place in the National League West.
Gardenhire, a five-time runner up for the award, received 16 of a possible 28 first place votes for the award. Ron Washington, manager of the Texas Rangers, was the second place finisher.
Washington garnered 10 first place votes.
Gardenhire has led the Twins to six Central Division titles in the past nine years. The Twins finished the 2010 season with a record of 94-68. The New York Yankees eliminated the Twins
from the playoffs with a three game sweep for the second consecutive year.
Gardenhire, on a conference call, commented on the award, “Not finishing second anymore, I think that’s good. Now, if only we could just whack the Yankees and beat the Yankees next year,
we could get that one off. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Black took the National League award in a very close race with Dusty Baker of the Cincinnati Reds. Black received 104 total voting points to Baker’s 103.
Despite having the second lowest payroll in Major League Baseball and being selected by many pundits to finish last in their division, Black had the Padres in the playoff hunt until the
final game of the regular season. The eventual World Series Champion San Francisco Giants eliminated the Padres from playoff contention.
Black was on a San Diego golf course when he was informed that he had won the award. “This was a great year in the NL,” said Black. “I guess this vote could’ve gone either way. I feel
fortunate that I won.”
Both managers will have the chance to defend their Manager of the Year titles. Black was given a three-year contract extension in July, while Gardenhire was awarded a two-year extension
on Thursday 18 November.
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