Indians manager was given the 2016 American League Manager of the Year Award on Tuesday by the Baseball Writers Association of America. He’s the first Indians manager to win the award since... himself, three years ago.
Francona, 57, managed the Indians to a 94-67 regular season record, good for first place in the AL Central. As BBWAA voting was done prior to the playoffs, his performance leading the team in the postseason was not considered. Francona did manage the Indians to their first AL pennant since 1997 and his club pushed the Cubs to a seventh game in the World Series before being defeated. Francona also had to deal with a litany of injuries to important players, including outfielder Michael Brantley as well as starters Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco.
Francona received 22 of 30 first-place votes. Rangers manager Jeff Banister, who won the award last year, finished second in balloting. Orioles manager Buck Showalter finished third, followed by John Farrell of the Red Sox, Joe Girardi of the Yankees, and Scott Servais of the Mariners.