Francona named AL Manager of the Year
Cleveland Indians skipper Terry Francona was named 2016 American League Manager of the Year on Tuesday, after guiding the team to a 94-win season and its first World Series appearance in 19 years.
Francona, who earned 22 first-place votes from members of the BBWAA, beat out Jeff Banister of the Texas Rangers and Buck Showalter of the Baltimore Orioles.
Though Cleveland's playoff run didn't factor into his win, Francona's impressive regular season with the team did. Despite missing star outfielder Michael Brantley for most of the year, plus starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar down the stretch, Cleveland surged to a 94-67 record and its first AL Central crown since 2007.
Francona, who's recovering from hip surgery, wasn't feeling individualistic about his recognition, though.
"I'm so fortunate. I get to take a bow because of so many other peoples' work," he said, according to MLB.com's Zack Meisel.
It's the second time Francona has won the top managerial prize with Cleveland after taking home the honors in 2013.