Venable Wins AL Manager Title; Murphy Claims NL MVP Honor

Following Monday's Rookie of the Year announcements, Major League Baseball continued its award season by revealing the 2026 Managers of the Year yesterday. Athletics skipper Mark Kotsay was not among this year's contenders for the prestigious prize as he has yet to lead his team to a winning record or playoff appearance since succeeding Bob Melvin in 2022. In contrast, another losing campaign could put his future with the organization in serious doubt if the 2027 season begins as scheduled and the A's rise from fourth to first in the American League West standings.

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable deservedly won the AL Manager of the Year award after beating fellow finalists Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays and Chad Tracy of the Boston Red Sox. Under his leadership, the White Sox who lost 100 or more games in each of the previous three seasons won 84 games and earned an American League Division Series appearance this year.

In the National League Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy made history by becoming the first manager to win three consecutive Manager of the Year awards. He received more votes than the other two finalists Philadelphia Phillies manager Don Mattingly and Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss.

Today attention shifts to the pitchers as Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski is the favorite for NL Cy Young Award honors after his record-setting season with New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler serving as the AL Cy Young favorite. Tomorrow the Most Valuable Player presentations wrap up MLB award season.