The Midwest League Manager of the Year Award is an annual award given to the best
manager in
Minor League Baseball 's
Midwest League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers.
[1] Broadcasters, Minor League Baseball executives, and members of the media have previously voted as well.
[2] The award was created in the league's inaugural 1947 season.
[3]
[4] The circuit was known as the
Illinois State League from 1947 to 1948 and as the
Mississippi–Ohio Valley League from 1949 to 1955 before becoming the Midwest League in 1956.
[4] After the cancellation of the 2020 season,
[5] the league was known as the High-A Central in 2021 before reverting to the Midwest League name in 2022.
[6]
[7]
The only manager to win the award on three occasions is Mark Haley, who won in 2005, 2008, and 2013. Three others have each won twice:
Bruce Fields ,
Gomer Hodge , and
Buddy Kerr .
Six managers from the
Cedar Rapids Kernels and
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have been selected for the Manager of the Year Award, more than any other teams in the league, followed by the
Kane County Cougars ,
Waterloo Indians , and
West Michigan Whitecaps (5); the
Quad Cities River Bandits and
South Bend Cubs (4); the
Burlington Bees ,
Danville Warriors , and
Great Lakes Loons (3); the
Clinton Giants ,
Kenosha Twins ,
Lansing Lugnuts ,
Michigan Battle Cats ,
Peoria Chiefs , and
Wisconsin Rapids Twins (2); and the
Belleville Stags ,
Beloit Sky Carp ,
Bowling Green Hot Rods ,
Decatur Commodores ,
Fort Wayne TinCaps ,
Lafayette Red Sox ,
Madison Muskies ,
Michigan City White Caps ,
Quincy Giants ,
Rockford Royals ,
Springfield Cardinals , and
Wausau Timbers (1).
Six managers from the
Detroit Tigers
Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the
Chicago White Sox ,
Minnesota Twins , and
Oakland Athletics organizations (5); the
Boston Red Sox ,
Chicago Cubs ,
Milwaukee Brewers , and
San Francisco Giants organizations (4); the
Arizona Diamondbacks ,
Cleveland Guardians ,
Kansas City Royals ,
Los Angeles Dodgers , and
St. Louis Cardinals organizations (3); the
Baltimore Orioles ,
Cincinnati Reds ,
Los Angeles Angels ,
Houston Astros ,
Miami Marlins , and
Toronto Blue Jays organizations (2); and the
San Diego Padres and
Tampa Bay Rays organizations (1). Two award winners played for teams that operated as cooperatives of several MLB organizations.
Winners
Buddy Kerr won the Manager of the Year Award in 1958 and 1961.
Cal Ripken Sr. was the 1962 Manager of the Year.
John Goryl , the 1974 winner, was the recipient of the 2012
Mike Coolbaugh Award .
[8]
Duffy Dyer was the 1985 Manager of the Year.
Don Leppert won the Manager of the Year Award in 1987.
Rick Renteria was the 1999 Manager of the Year.
John Shoemaker was the Manager of the Year in 2019.
Wins by team
Active Midwest League teams appear in bold .
Wins by organization
Active Midwest League–Major League Baseball affiliations appear in bold .
Notes
^ Danville operated as a cooperative of 15 Major League Baseball teams in 1970.
[35]
^ Wasau operated as a cooperative of seven Major League Baseball teams in 1979, with most players coming from the
Texas Rangers .
[55]
References
Specific
^ Lantz, Jeff (November 9, 2022).
"Minor League Baseball Announces 2022 High Class-A League Awards and All-Star Teams" (PDF) . Minor League Baseball . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Avallone, Michael (October 7, 2021).
"MiLB's High-A Award Winners and All-Stars" . Major League Baseball . Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
a
b
c
d
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f
g
h
i
j
k
"Midwest League Award Winners" . Midwest League . Minor League Baseball. Archived from
the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
a
b Sheehan, Stephanie (March 30, 2022).
"Then and Now: Midwest League" . Minor League Baseball . Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
a
b
"2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved" . Minor League Baseball . June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 .
^ Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021).
"Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled" . Ballpark Digest . Retrieved February 13, 2021 .
^
"Historical League Names to Return in 2022" . Minor League Baseball . March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022 .
^
"Lukevics, Goryl Honored by MiLB" . Minor League Baseball . October 22, 2012.
Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^
"Walt DeFreitas Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1947 Illinois State League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Len Okrie Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1956 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Buddy Kerr Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1958 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Stubby Overmire Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1959 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1960 Waterloo Hawks Statistics" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1960 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Buddy Kerr Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1961 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Cal Ripken Sr. Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1962 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Don Bacon Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1963 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Gus Niarhos Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1965 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Al Ronning Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1966 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Alex Cosmidis Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1967 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Jack Krol Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1968 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Tom Saffell Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1969 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Brewers Sign Contract with Danville Club" . Journal Gazette . Mattoon. November 3, 1970. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
^
"Frank Calo Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1970 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Joe Sparks Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1971 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Joe Nossek Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1972 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Bernie Smith Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1973 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Johnny Goryl Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1974 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"John Sullivan Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1975 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Salty Parker Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1976 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Denis Menke Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1977 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Gordy Lund Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
a
b
"1978 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Woody Smith Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ McNichols, Mike (December 13, 1979).
"Triple Threat" . Wausau Daily Herald . Wausau. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
^
"Tom Robson Minor, Winter, Mexican & Japanese Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1979 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
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"Rick Stelmaszek Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
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"1980 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
a
b
"Gomer Hodge Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1981 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"George Enright Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1982 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1983 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Tom Gamboa Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1984 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Duffy Dyer Winter, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1985 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Gaylen Pitts Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1986 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Don Leppert Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1987 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Marc Bombard Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1988 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Dave Miley Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1989 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Don Long Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1990 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Gary Jones Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1991 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Tom Poquette Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1992 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Jack Mull Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1993 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"John Mizerock Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1994 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"DeMarlo Hale Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1995 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Roy Silver Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1996 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
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b
"Bruce Fields Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1997 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Billy Gardner Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1998 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Rick Renteria Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"1999 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2000 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Russ Morman Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2001 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Todd Claus Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2002 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Webster Garrison Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2003 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
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"Dave Joppie Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2004 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
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b
c
"Mark Haley Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2005 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Matt Walbeck Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2006 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Tom Brookens Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2007 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2008 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Doug Dascenzo Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
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b
"2009 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Marty Pevey Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Juan Bustabad Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2010 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Mike Redmond Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2011 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2012 Lansing Lugnuts Statistics" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2012 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2013 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Mark Johnson Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2014 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Josh Bonifay Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2015 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Jimmy Gonzalez Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2016 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Mike Rabelo Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2017 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Craig Albernaz Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2018 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"John Shoemaker Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2019 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Postseason All-Stars" . Minor League Baseball .
Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2021 High-A Central Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Minor League Postseason All-Stars" . Minor League Baseball .
Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"2022 Midwest League Standings" . Stats Crew . Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^
"Dinkelman, Rosario Highlight Kernels Honored in Midwest League Postseason Awards" . Minor League Baseball . September 20, 2023.
Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023 .
^
"2023 Midwest League" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved September 23, 2023 .
General
East Division West Division Former teams