Will Venable and Pat Murphy Win MLB Manager of the Year Awards

Will Venable wins tight American League race

The American League competition featured a narrow margin between the top two candidates, with Will Venable edging out Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays. Venable secured 15 first-place votes, while Cash followed with 12. Chad Tracy also received three first-place votes.

Venable’s recognition stems from his leadership of the Chicago White Sox, as he guided the club to a postseason appearance following a prolonged period of difficulty for the franchise. While Kevin Cash led the Rays to the best record in the American League, voters prioritized the turnaround achieved by Venable in Chicago. Other managers receiving votes in the American League included Stephen Vogt, Aaron Boone, and Joe Espada.

Pat Murphy secures second National League honor

In the National League, Pat Murphy claimed his second Manager of the Year award, solidifying his status as the favorite throughout the voting process. Murphy received 20 first-place votes, outpacing Walt Weiss, Don Mattingly, and Craig Stammen, who each received at least one first-place vote.

The Milwaukee Brewers exceeded expectations by finishing at the top of the National League, a position many analysts had projected for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Other managers receiving votes in the National League included Dave Roberts, Craig Counsell, and Don Kelly.

Acceptance from the hospital

Following the official announcement, Pat Murphy accepted his award while recovering in a hospital. The Brewers manager recently underwent a hip replacement surgery. His success this season was evaluated based on regular-season performance, as the voting process concluded before the start of the postseason.

Frequently asked questions about the 2024 awards

No, the voting for the Manager of the Year awards was finalized at the conclusion of the regular season. Therefore, performances during the postseason did not factor into the ballots cast by the writers.

The National League race was more decisive, with Murphy securing 20 first-place votes to maintain his position as the league’s top manager.

In the American League, Chad Tracy, Stephen Vogt, Aaron Boone, and Joe Espada all received votes. In the National League, Walt Weiss, Don Mattingly, Craig Stammen, Dave Roberts, Craig Counsell, and Don Kelly were included in the balloting.

More on this story: Pat Murphy Makes MLB History With Third Straight NL Manager of the Year Award