Bob Melvin is Sporting News’ 2018 American League Manager of the Year, which was voted on by a panel of nine American League managers. SN has given Manager of the Year awards since 1936.
Melvin guided the Oakland Athletics to 97 wins and a playoff appearance despite an injury-plagued pitching rotation, an inexperienced lineup and a slew of midseason roster moves that could have altered clubhouse chemistry. He’s led the A’s to the postseason in four of his seven full seasons with the franchise.
At several critical junctures, players showed faith in Melvin’s decision making, demonstrating the organizational trust he’s built.
MORE: Miguel Andujar voted Sporting News 2018 AL Rookie of the Year
When Melvin began limiting pitch counts for his starting pitchers, members of Oakland’s rotation refrained from criticising him, accepting the strategy even though they acknowledged it would take time to get used to. A’s starters averaged about 73 pitches per outing in 2018, down from about 94 pitches in 2017.
After Melvin pulled Brett Anderson from an early-August contest after just five innings and 63 pitches, Anderson told reporters the relievers behind him had better stuff, seemingly backing his skipper. The A’s bullpen finished the regular season with a 3.37 ERA.
“I thought I could have gone back out there, but Melvin made his decision, and I respect his decision," Sean Manaea said after a shortened outing in July.
When Melvin dramatically altered the lineup after the All-Star break, moving third baseman Matt Chapman into the second spot in the order, the players pushed to the bottom of the order did not complain. Chapman hit .291 with 12 home runs in 60 starts from his higher lineup position.
Additionally, Melvin eased new players into a clubhouse that veterans Jonathan Lucroy and Edwin Jackson said was among the best they’ve ever experienced. The A’s added Jeurys Familia, Fernando Rodney, Shawn Kelley and Mike Fiers in the middle of the campaign.
With the 97-win season, Melvin moved into third place on Oakland’s all-time managerial wins list this year, passing Art Howe. He has 634 career wins with the A’s.
"Bob is one of the best in the game and he's perfect for us," said A’s executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane earlier in October. "The idea is that he's here for a long time and the rest of his career."
The A’s came back from an 11-game deficit to earn their postseason berth. While they were eliminated by the Yankees in the American League Wild Card game, their young roster appears ready to compete moving forward.
This is the second time Melvin has won SN’s Manager of the Year award. He claimed the honor as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Tampa Bay Rays skipper Kevin Cash also received votes this season.
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American League Manager of the Year results
1. Bob Melvin, 6 votes
2. Alex Cora, 2 votes
3. Kevin Cash, 1 vote
THIS WEEK’S SN AWARD SCHEDULE
Monday: Rookies of the Year (AL and NL)
Tuesday: Comeback Players of the Year (AL and NL) and Managers of the Year (AL and NL)
Wednesday: AL All-Star Team | NL All-Star Team
Thursday: MLB Player of the Year