MLB: Joe Smeltzer’s 2016 Mid-season Awards

NL Manager of the Year: Don Mattingly

Record: 47-41, tied for a Wildcard spot

This may be a surprise to some, as Bruce Bochy or Joe Madden might have been more expected for this honor. But, in my opinion, The Miami Marlins have been the most surprising team in the National League (no, I won’t give Pete Mackanin that much credit for making the Phillies suck a little less) and “Donnie Baseball” has been the driving force behind that. Marlins fans (both of them) should be very satisfied with the job Mattingly has done thus far. They should also be prepared for either;
A. Jeffery Loria getting sick of Mattingly or
B. Mattingly getting sick of him

Either way, the good feeling won’t last long. Miami has the worst owner in professional sports, and until they don’t, they will never be a long term contender.

AL Manager of the Year: Terry Francona

Record: 52-36, best in American League 
No debate here for me. The Tribe is ruling over the AL at the moment. Francona has established himself as one of the game’s sharpest minds over the past decade, and his Indians are the hottest team in baseball and are my pick to represent the AL in the Fall Classic. With respect to Buck Showalter (Baltimore) and Jeff Banister (Texas), Tito takes the cake. Go Tribe!

Next: What is Next