Paul Molitor brought the Twins back to relevance in 2015 and his efforts were recognized Tuesday when he was named the Sporting News American League Manager of the Year.
The award was voted on by 27 MLB managers, giving the award extra meaning because it’s coming from Molitor’s peers. Mets manager Terry Collins was named the National League Manager of the Year.
Congratulations to Paul Molitor and Terry Collins on being voted SN's Managers of the Year. https://t.co/hjFCj1hhec pic.twitter.com/HvMXdDnYAT
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 27, 2015
Sporting News has given the award to managers since 1936. Sam Mele (1965), Tom Kelly (1991) and Ron Gardenhire (2004, 2010) previously won the award while managing the Twins.
Congratulations on being named Sporting News A.L. Manager of the Year, Paul Molitor! https://t.co/J3ggtWb74Z pic.twitter.com/tkIIg0HPAL
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 27, 2015
Major League Baseball awards are still be named, and fans can vote for select nominees in a number of different categories right here. Molitor is a nominee in the “Best Manager” category.
On Molitor, MLB.com says:
“A first-year manager for a Twins squad that went 70-92 in 2014, Molitor entered 2015 amid less-than-lofty expectations. However, the skipper helped the development of youngsters Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, Aaron Hicks and Trevor May, among others, and he kept his club in the AL Wild Card chase until the penultimate game of the season while working with a starting rotation that lacked difference-making arms.”
Twins up for other MLB awards:
- Best Rookie: Miguel Sano
- Best Executive: Terry Ryan
- Best Offensive Play: Brian Dozier
- Best Moment: Eddie Rosario
- Best MLB Interview: Byron Buxton, Torii Hunter
