Squawker Jon and I are members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance and we get the opportunity to vote on the group’s end-of-season awards. Today, I am casting my ballot for the top rookie and top manager in the American League.
Willie Mays Award – Top Rookie (American League)
1. Jose Abreu — Chicago White Sox (a player Brian Cashman should have gone after)
2. Masahiro Tanaka — New York Yankees (may have been No. 1 if he hadn’t gotten hurt)
3. Dellin Betances — New York Yankees (one of the few things to look forward to in Yankeeland)
2014 Connie Mack Award – Top Manager (American League)
1. Buck Showalter — Baltimore Orioles (Was always great at strategy; now is a great motivator of people. Was able to change with the times and relate to younger generation. Orioles are now team to beat in AL East. Yikes!
2. Ned Yost — Kansas City Royals (Not a perfect manager, but got Royals to first postseason since I was in high school!)
3. Lloyd McClendon — Seattle Mariners (Thanks to McClendon and Robinson Cano, the Mariners are relevant for the first time in over a decade.)
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