Braves manager Brian Snitker did not repeat as National League manager of the year, finishing third on the ballot unveiled Tuesday evening. St. Louis’ Mike Shildt won the award, with Milwaukee’s Craig Counsell finishing as the runner-up for the second consecutive year. The award is voted on by the BBWAA and submitted before the postseason.
Snitker won the honor last season after guiding the Braves to an unexpected 90 wins and an NL East title. The Braves again won the East in 2019 – when many doubted them before the season – and increased their win total by seven.
But the odds are often against winning back-to-back manager of the year awards. The last individual to do so was Snitker’s mentor Bobby Cox, who won in 2004 and 2005.
Shildt led the Cardinals to a surprise NL Central title over the favored Cubs and Brewers. It was the Cardinals’ first postseason berth in four years and came during Shildt’s first full season as manager. St. Louis won 91 games and ousted the Braves in the NLDS before being swept by the Nationals.
Counsell oversaw a magnificent late-season run by the Brewers, who lost reigning MVP Christian Yelich to injury early in September. Milwaukee won 89 games and clinched the NL’s second wild card, eventually losing the one-game playoff in Washington.
Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins was voted the American League manager of the year.
