Skip Schumaker, who made his head coaching debut with the Miami Marlins in 2023, won a very close vote for National League Manager of the Year honors on Tuesday.
The former player received eight of 30 first-place votes, as did Brian Snitker (Atlanta Braves), but Schumaker received more second- and third-place votes. Craig Counsell, who managed the Milwaukee Brewers before moving to the Chicago Cubs last week, was the other finalist.
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He was the first rookie manager since Rocco Baldelli (Minnesota Twins) to win this title. Eight men achieved this feat of weaponry, including the legendary Joe Girardi and Dusty Baker.
Despite his lack of experience, Schumaker managed to lead the Marlins to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. A little less than a year ago, he replaced Don Mattingly as coach. Miami was 84-78, good for third place in the East during the regular season. However, the team from Florida was eliminated in the play-offs against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Before leading the Marlins, Schumaker was a bench coach with the St. Louis Cardinals and an associate coach with the San Diego Padres. During his playing career, he played 11 seasons with the Cards, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.
Another honor for the Orioles
Twenty-four hours after Gunnar Henderson was named American football’s rookie of the year, Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was also honored.
The 50-year-old was rewarded for his patience – and that of his bosses – by leading Maryland to its best season in recent memory. The O’s posted a 101-61 record and earned East honors.
Hyde was in his fifth season at the helm of Baltimore. His first steps weren’t easy, including the 2019 (54-108) and 2021 (52-110) campaigns, but this is the second year he has been a finalist for Manager of the Year.
He defeated World Series-winning manager Bruce Bochy (Texas Rangers) and his great rival Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays to the finish line.