NL Connie Mack Award Choice
By: Mike Reisman
As you know (or do not know), this blog is a part of the BBA or the
Baseball Bloggers Alliance, and they are holding their annual awards, which, as a member, I get to vote on. So here are my selections for the Connie Mack Award, which is equivalent to manager of the year.
Runner Up: Charlie Manuel- Philadelphia Phillies. Charlie made some key moves this year. Starting with the acquisition of Roy Halladay to the Phillies staff, which was key, since they would end up trading Cliff Lee. He would also make a great move, trading for Roy Oswalt. Of course, maybe the most vital thing he did was replace Milt Thompson, which drastically improved the club's hitting and brought the Phillies to where they are now. Yet, he did all of this with a club with loads of experience, and he did hit a serious road bump in June and the first part of July, so he is only my runner-up.
WINNER: DUSTY BAKER- Cincinnati Reds. Dusty Baker is one great manager. First and foremost, he took a team that was in third place with a 78-84 record in 2009, to the playoffs, winning their division with a 91-71 record. He also produced a probable MVP in Joey Votto, who would lead an offense that was considered by many to be the best offense in the NL. Though Dusty was swept in the NLDS, that was mostly due to inexperience, something you cannot coach, which is why this should not be held against him. In general, when against most odds, Dusty Baker turned Cincinnati back into a baseball town, and brought the Reds to their first playoffs since 1995, which is why he is my NL Connie Mack Award choice.