Examiner.com MLB Awards: American League Manager of the Year - Mike Scioscia

Loa Angeles Angels of Anaheim skipper Mike Scioscia is the choice as American
League Manager of the Year among baseball writers for Examiner.com. Minnesota
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire tied Scioscia for total points in the balloting, but
Scioscia received the nod thanks to his 6-2 edge in first-place votes. (AP Photo/Jae
C. Hong)

Mike Scioscia is the 2009 American League Manager of the Year, as our Examiner.com poll predicted earlier this month.  Scioscia edged out Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire for the award.

Scoscia had to deal with a few obstacles in guiding his Los Angeles Angels to the National League Western Division title.  The death of rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was not only an emotional hurdle for his team to overcome, but it created a void in the starting rotation that was compounded by injuries to Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey, and Ervin Santana.  Star hitter Vladimir Guerrero had an injury plagued 2009 season, and the bullpen was hit by the loss of closer Francisco Rodriguez (to the Mets, through free agency), and setup man Scot Shields to injury.

Despite these challenges, Scioscia was able to get big contributions from part-time players and fend off the upstart Texas Rangers.  Ultimately, the Angels were defeated by the eventual world champion New York Yankees, but Scoscia's effort to keep his team together through tough times is recognized with this award.

Voting Panel
Robert Quinn (Tampa Bay Rays)
Theo Fightmaster (San Francisco Giants)
Greg Filice (Toronto Blue Jays)
Brian Pietrzak (Minnesota Twins)
John Stankevitz (Chicago White Sox)
Rand Huguely (Texas Rangers)
Josh Hood (Kansas City Royals)
Sam McPherson (Oakland A's)
Travis Lay (Colorado Rockies)
Randall Castro (Detroit Tigers) 
Claire Reclosado (SF Baseball)