:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65624802/usa_today_13414299.0.jpg)
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell is one of the three finalists for the National League Manager of the Year awards from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
2019 NL Manager of the Year
— BBWAA (@officialBBWAA) November 4, 2019
Top 3 (alphabetically)
Craig Counsell, Brewers
Mike Shildt, Cardinals
Brian Snitker, Braves
Winner announced Nov. 12. Voting concluded before postseason
Each year, qualified writers across the baseball landscape vote for the top manager in each league. Last season, Counsell came in second to Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves.
In his fifth season managing your Milwaukee Nine, Craig finished with an 89-73 record and claimed the fifth playoff spot in the league. Craig gets credit for digging his team out of a big hole with great game management in last August and September. Without his command of the pitching staff and the bullpen, it’s very unlikely that Milwaukee gets the Wild Card spot. It is all especially impressive when you consider that he did it without the potential MVP.
Counsell certainly faces tough competition. The other nominees are St. Louis Cardinals skipper Mike Shildt and reigning Manager of the Year Snitker. While Counsell showed an impressive grasp of his team and managing the game, the Brewers lost their claim to the NL Central crown and barely squeaked into the playoffs.
The winner of the 2019 award will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 12.