Rum Bunter’s 2016 American League Manager of the Year

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (L) and Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (R) meet before game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (L) and Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (R) meet before game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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As we continue to dish out our 2016 Major League Baseball awards here at Rum Bunter next on the docket in the 2016 American League Manager of the Year.

Now that the 2016 Major League Baseball regular season has ended eyes can be pointed toward the offseason. The offseason includes, first and foremost, postseason play, free agency, trades, and award. Due to this here at Rum Bunter we are dishing out our 2016 awards for Major League Baseball.

So far we have named the MVP and Cy Young Award winner in each league. Furthermore, Dave Roberts has been named the National League Manager of the Year. Up next is the American League Manager of the Year, and that man is Cleveland Indians’ skipper Terry Francona.

In 2013 Terry Francona was the American League Manager of the Year. This was his first season in Cleveland. So, winning this award is nothing new to him.

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In my opinion Francona is a future Hall of Fame manager. Francona is a two time World Series Champion, a former manager of the year, and the season the Indians had in 2016 just added to his resume.

During the 2016 season the Cleveland Indians finished with a 94-67 record. With this record they secured their first postseason berth since 2013. Furthermore, the Indians won the American League Central Division in 2016.

This was Cleveland’s first division championship since 2007. The reason Francona is AL Manager of the Year is not just due to the Indians winning their division, however.

Francona and the Tribe dealt with many injuries to their pitching staff in 2016. Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco are the Indians two best starting pitcher. Both of these pitchers spent time on the disabled list in 2016.

In fact, Carrasco is still on the disabled and not pitching for Cleveland in the postseason. Despite this, the Indians currently lead their American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox two games to none.

In my opinion, Terry Francona was the best manager in the American League in 2016. Due to this, he is Rum Bunter’s 2016 American League Manager of the Year. Congrats, Tito!!

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