Bobby Cox Is Named AL’s Manager of the Year

Bobby Cox, who led the Toronto Blue Jays to the Eastern Division title in the American League, the club’s first, was named the league’s Manager of the Year Wednesday by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America.

Cox, who resigned after the Blue Jays had lost to the Kansas City Royals in the playoffs to become general manager of the Atlanta Braves, was the only manager named on all of the ballots cast by the 26 voting members--two writers from each league city.

Cox, 44, received 16 first-place votes and 104 points in beating out Kansas City’s Dick Howser, who finished second for the second straight year. The Royals’ manager got four first-place votes and 63 points.

Gene Mauch of the Angels finished third with eight first-place votes and 57 points.