Gabe Kapler was voted NHL manager of the year on Tuesday after guiding the San Francisco Giants to the best winning record in their history, 107 wins.
In the American League, the honor went to Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays.
PHOTO TERRANCE WILLIAMS, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kevin cash
Kapler was in his second season at the helm of the Giants.
Kapler edged out Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers and Mike Shildt of the St. Louis Cardinals in the ballot led by the Baseball Columnists Association of America.
Kapler coached the Philadelphia Phillies for two seasons before being fired.
The Giants hired him following the retirement of Bruce Bochy, the team manager for three World Series triumphs.
San Francisco offered a modest 29-31 return in 2020 – it was their fourth campaign in a row with a losing record at the time.
In 2021, the Dodgers or Padres were expected to dominate, but it was the Giants who had the best records in the big leagues.
The Giants were, however, beaten by Los Angeles in the first round of the playoffs.
Counsell and the Brewers were the champions of the Centrale.
Shildt was fired last month because of philosophical differences with management, said GM John Mozeliak.
Brian Snitker of the Braves and Dave Roberts of the Dodgers also received votes.
Kapler got 28 first-place votes; Counsell and Shildt each received one.
The Rays posted the American’s best record, 100-62, before losing to the Boston Red Sox in the first round.
Honored for the second year in a row, Cash this time defeated Dusty Baker of the Houston Astros and Scott Servais of the Seattle Mariners.
Fourth place went to Charlie Montoyo of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Only Bobby Cox was also named Manager of the Year for two consecutive years (at the helm of Atlanta in 2004 and 2005).
Cash received 19 first place votes.