I know it’s a day late, but this was expected, Maddon was the best manager last year. That’s not what I want to talk about. Maddon recieved 28 out of 29 first place votes. Let’s talk about the guy who DIDN’T vote for Joe.

The guy was Terry Plutto from the CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. He voted for Gardenhire. IT WASN’T EVEN A GUY FROM MINNESOTA! Rod Gardenhire deserves the award, just not this year. He runs the same type of small ball team that Joe does. Gardenhire is a great manager, and definately the second best in the AL last year. Two things:

1) His team missed the playoffs (but barely)

I know this isn’t a great argument, but it helps your case a lot if you make it to the playoffs. Gardenhire did a great job dealing with the team he was dealt. This should’ve been a rebuilding year for the Twins, but the team was a contender. The Twins lost Johan Santana and on a lower level, key guys like Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza, Fransisco Liriano was up and down all year. But Gardenhire did not do one thing that trumps all things any other manager can do. Joe did it.

2) Joe took a team that was the worst team in baseball and made them the best team in the American League, in a division with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays, all great teams. Nuff said.

So, Terry Plutto, are you still happy with your move now? You are getting criticizm from media outlets all over the nation, and Rays fans now despise you.

You Should’ve Voted for Maddon

I think you know that, Terry Plutto.