Tonight, Stephen Vogt became the first manager in MLB history to win American League manager of the year in his first two seasons in the role.
It’s a bit ironic that Vogt won the award two days after news arrived that two Guardians’ pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, were being indicted on illegal betting charges, as their being placed on leave and the way Vogt subsequently kept the team together surely played a role in this award. The Guardians were 15.5 games behind Detroit in July and came back to win their division, the largest such lead ever overcome by a team in MLB history.
Vogt is not perfect, but I do believe he is the kind of manager who can learn from his mistakes. His players will always be able to remember the 2025 season when they wonder if they are without hope or if a slump will ever end. Now, let’s see the front office give Vogt the horses to lead a ride to win a World Series title and end the title drought for the Guardians.
CONGRATULATIONS, SKIPPER!