Story by
Cleveland Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt wins MLB AL Manager of the Year Award
- Story by
- Cleveland Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt wins MLB AL Manager of the Year Award
Cleveland Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt was recognized Tuesday by Major League Baseball with the Manager of the Year Award in the American League.
Former MLB Manager of the Year Award winner Joe Maddon got to announce Vogt as the winner on MLB Network.
Advertisement
During his first year at the helm, Vogt's Guardians won the AL Central division with a 92-69 overall record. They made a run to the American League Championship Series but lost to the New York Yankees in five games.
"I knew I had to come in and be myself," Vogt said on a Zoom call with media Tuesday night. "I knew I would never replace Tito (Francona) or fill his shoes. I just wanted to come in and be me and help our players be as good as they could be and that was the goal from Day One."
The Baseball Writers' Association of America have voted on the top managers in each league dating back to 1983. Ballots are submitted prior to postseason play.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt watches from the dugout against the Royals prior to a game, Sept. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Guardians news: Cleveland Guardians make some changes to their uniforms for 2025 season. Check them out
Advertisement
Vogt was a finalist for the award along with Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro.
"I'm so fortunate to work with so many good people," Vogt said, "and I have too many texts right now to reply, a lot from our players and coaches and front office people, and just the closeness of this group is something special and a lot of teams have a special group, but this one was by far the closest one I've ever been around. These guys care about each other so much and I appreciate the love and support from all of them."
While this is obviously Vogt's first Manager of the Year win in his first year eligible, the Cleveland organization has a history of its managers winning this award.
Who has won Manager of the Year for the Cleveland Guardians ?
Guardians manager Terry Francona looks on from the dugout against the Pirates during the first inning, July 19, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
In addition to Vogt taking home the award in 2024, his predecessor Terry "Tito" Francona had a phenomenal run while with Cleveland.
Advertisement
Francona, who was hired to be the next manager of the Cincinnati Reds following a year away from the game to focus on his health, last won AL Manager of the Year in 2022.
Injury news: Guardians All-Star David Fry has elbow surgery, can only be DH to start season
He also won it in 2016 and 2013 — the latter of which, like Vogt, was after his first season as Cleveland's skipper.
Prior to that, former Cleveland manager Eric Wedge won the award in 2007.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: AL Manager of the Year Award goes to Cleveland Guardians Stephen Vogt
