Buck Showalter named Sporting News' AL Manager of the Year

Dan Connolly, The Baltimore Sun

Elections Politics Baltimore Orioles MLB Manager of the Year Award Buck Showalter American League West Robin Ventura

Orioles manager Buck Showalter can add one more honor to his list of career accolades.

The Sporting News named Showalter as the American League Manager of the Year today for taking the Orioles to their first playoff appearance since 1997.

The Sporting News’ National League Manager of the Year is the Washington Nationals’ Davey Johnson, who was the last man to lead the Orioles to the playoffs (in 1997) before Showalter.

According to the magazine’s website, Showalter received four first-place votes from a panel of 17 managers, with Oakland’s Bob Melvin getting three first-place votes and finishing second. Chicago White Sox first-year skipper Robin Ventura received one first-place vote and was third.

The most prestigious managerial award – voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America – will be announced on Nov 13.

Showalter, who led the surprising Orioles to 93 wins and a Wild Card berth, and Melvin, who won an AL West division crown with the low payroll A’s, are the top two candidates.