Roberts, Francona Named Managers of Year

By ESPN

Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers has topped Joe Maddon and Dusty Baker to win the National League Manager of the Year Award.

After taking over for Don Mattingly this past season, Roberts continued the Dodgers' trend of playoff appearances by guiding the club to a 91-71 record and a fourth consecutive NL West title. The Dodgers have now reached the postseason in four consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history.

"I think, you know what, it's about the process, and I think this is actually the first day I've had a chance to reflect on what happened from the first day of spring training to now," Roberts said. "And even after the postseason, I didn't really play the season out in my head too much. But I think to set goals, to play every out and try to get better, I think that as a group, as an organization, we did that. Obviously we came up short in the sense of winning a world championship, but I'm just proud of the way our guys battled adversity all year."

As much as the team's on-field success defined Roberts' rookie season as a manager, so did the player injuries he was forced to overcome. The Dodgers broke camp in spring training with 10 players on the disabled list, believed to be a record to open a season.

It did not get any better for the Dodgers, as 28 players ultimately hit the disabled list, the most players any club has put on the DL in the past 30 seasons. The list of injured players included staff ace Clayton Kershaw, who was lost for 75 days after a back injury in late June.

"Did I expect us to have the injuries that we did? I think when you look at it from that lens, [the season was] more challenging [than expected]," Roberts said. "But I think that the support that I had completely exceeded what my anticipation was. The relationship with the front office, the coaches, the way that the players bought into us, made this whole season considerably easier than I anticipated.

Terry Francona Named AL Manager of Year

Terry Francona, who guided the Cleveland Indians to their first American League pennant since 1997, was named American League Manager of the Year on Tuesday.

Francona wins the award, given by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, after guiding the Indians -- beset by injuries and drug suspensions -- to a surprising first-place finish with a 94-67 record. Cleveland also made its first playoff appearance since 2013 and won their first division title since 2007.

"I'm honored," Francona said. "... It also does give me a chance to brag about our guys. If somebody thinks it's an individual award, it's the furthest thing from the truth. One, it's incredible players. It's front office, ownership. The coaches work so hard every day. I wish we could take a bow together."

The Indians almost claimed their first World Series title since 1948 before the Chicago Cubs overcame a 3-1 deficit.

"It was an unbelievably satisfying year,'' Francona said.

It's already been a busy offseason for him, too. The Indians picked up options for his contract in 2019 and 2020, then he had a right hip replacement operation.