I thought Jim Leyland had this sewn up until recently, but the Tigers' slide (not toe mention batting Neifi Perez leadoff a couple of times!!??) have made it a race.
I don't think Torre will, or should, get it for leading a $200 million team of All-Stars to a division title, but Gardenhire and Macha are probably both serious candidates.
I'd probably still go with Leyland, but I'm not completely sure. Who would get your vote?
2006-09-20 07:25:12 · 21 answers · asked by Craig S 7 in Sports ➔ Baseball
If the Tigers make the playoffs, Leyland has a pretty good shot. Otherwise, I'm going with Torre.
2006-09-20 10:08:39 · answer #1 · answered by Baseball Fanatic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now, I think it's a toss up between Ron Gardenhire and Joe Torre. I hear your point on the Yankees payroll, but Torre endured a lot of injuries this year, yet found a way to get this team on the same page. This year he seemed to have the Midas Touch - much like 1996.
But Ron Gardenhire is long overdue for the award. He's one of the most underrated managers in Baseball.
I think the Tigers' slide in the second half has hurt.
2006-09-21 20:49:12 · answer #2 · answered by L.A. Scene 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe people honestly think torre should get AL manager of the year. He is by far the most OVER-RATED manager. He has never won more then 89 games since he joined the yankees. He has a career .468 winning % in 15 years he's managed outside of the yankees which would be 15 years average of being behind 22 games behind the current yankees.
Most managers would be fired after 3-4 years of that. Torre proves anyone with a $200 million payroll can manage a team.
For yanks fan who think losing matsui and sheffield was devasting and think torre deserves MOTY because of it is crazy when they added abreau another overpriced all-star, the salary difference between abreau and matsui and sheffield is about 10 million which consitutes 5% of the salaried player injured. WOW such a loss. Lets see if Torres can turn the Royals around, I doubt he'd last one year.
I agree with most common sense posters that Leyland should get it, he changed the entire mentality of that team, Gardenhire would deserve it since he managed the 3rd youngest team in baseball with expectations of not even making the wild card and being predicted to be behind the sox and indians plus losing his entire outfield for half the year and losing his #2 pitcher who would be #1 on 90% of pitching staff and his #3 pitcher who would be a #2 on 90% pitching staff and playing in the TOUGHEST division. But Leyland deserves his props for his turn around and the division he plays in.
2006-09-20 21:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by 34 RIP 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if Detroit blows the lead, it's Jim Leyland. He took a team with no real stars and guided them to a winning record and contention for a division title.
Macha deserves consideration in Oakland.
Laugh if you will, but look at the Royals roster and the fact that they started the year on a pace to have the worst record in baseball history and tell me Buddy Bell didn't do a good job. He kept them out of the abyss and righted the ship.
2006-09-20 15:28:34 · answer #4 · answered by ulbud k 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jim Leyland 100%!
Main reason is because he took a team that lost 91 games last year and turned it around. EVEN if he doesnt make the playoffs (He will) he still gets MOY!
The Tigers were expected to finish 4th this year, at or near .500.
Leyland has completely turned around The Tigers.
Gardenhire is a good manager, but The Twins were expected to be a good team.
Leyland has been (and continues to be) THE MAN!
anyone who even remotely thinks torre needs thier head examined.
2006-09-20 14:30:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Gardenhire has a staff of 3 AAA pitchers, and he's going to win the division. He's the MAY hands down, no contest. Leyland had it, until his team started playing like it was last season.
2006-09-20 15:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by Lefty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Torre should get some consideration...considering he has had to work around injuries to Matsui & Sheffield...Giambi has been hurt...A-Rod struggled for a while...Cano was out a while...
BUT...win or loose, Jim Leyland should win it...his team went from nothing to the verge of the playoffs...even if they blow the division, they should still make the wild card...and for that, he deserves it hands down.
The Twins were kind of expected to contend for that division (or the wild card) and most picked Oakland to make the series.
2006-09-20 15:49:42 · answer #7 · answered by brianwerner1313 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a Detroit man, I'd stick with Leyland. NO ONE predicted the Tigers winning close to 100 games.
2006-09-20 14:42:43 · answer #8 · answered by Michael L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It hurts me to not for Ozzie since I am a White Sox fan. I can't vote for Gardenhire because he doesn't really do anything. Leyland has had a great year. I'm going to go with the Phil Jackson of Baseball, Torre. He has the most pressure to win, the most stuff riding on his shoulders, and he works for the toughest boss. Considering how they opened up the AL east after injuries to Sheff and Matsui, I would say he has done a remarkable job. Plus look how many egos he has to keep in check. My second place vote for manager of the year goes to Jeter, cause I mean c'mon he's basically a manager anyways.
2006-09-20 14:40:27 · answer #9 · answered by thatchelpage 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Im still giving it to Leyland. Just think about where all the so called experts had the tigers finishing before the season started. Im sure it was 4th place.
2006-09-22 12:10:39 · answer #10 · answered by amc3480 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋