At the onset of the 2022 Major League Baseball season is plenty of speculation on the futures market regarding the American League manager of the year. First among those in the conversation is Dusty Baker of the Houston Astros. And there is plenty of good reason for Baker being a lead candidate. Among the reasons is sentiment. Baker, age 72, is missing only one item from his career resume. Despite a strong record of success as a Big League manager, Baker has never led a team to the World Series championship. And Houston gives him the best chance to complete the missing link. But there are plenty of other strong candidates as well.
On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the Major League Baseball season will begin with the final day of the regular season on Sunday, October 2, 2022.
Odds Analysis
When assessing the top candidates for the 2022 American League Manager of the Year award, there is a correlation between the top favorites to win the pennant and the manager. Additionally, sharps can assess a surprise team to emerge to enhance their potential profitability. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash is a 2-time winner of the award (2020 and 2021).
2022 American League Manager of the Year Top Candidates
Dusty Baker – Houston Astros
Few baseball lifers have had a more accomplished career than Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker. As a player, Baker’s career ran from 1968 through 1986. He was a 2-time All-Star and a member of the 1981 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Baker was a 2-time Silver Slugger awardee as a Dodger. But it is as a manager that Baker has made his greatest mark.
Baker is a 3-time National League Manager of the Year. Overall, his career record is 1987-1734, with a win percentage of .534. Baker has led 11 teams to the postseason and won the 2002 National League pennant with the San Francisco Giants.
Baker was retired for three seasons before the Astros asked him to take over in 2020 after the sign-stealing scandal blew open. Baker is 124-98 with two playoff appearances at Houston. This season, Baker is the pilot of the American League favorite.
Tony LaRussa – Chicago White Sox
In a similar way to Baker, Tony LaRussa, age 77, brings an elderly birthdate but modern success. As a manager, LaRussa has won three World Series championships. Additionally, LaRussa is a 4-time Manager of the Year awardee. Most important of all, LaRussa was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. His career record is 2821-2434, with a win percentage of .515. Last year LaRussa led the White Sox to their first American League Central Division title in 12 years.
In like manner to Baker, LaRussa is leading a top-tier American League favorite.
Joe Maddon – Los Angeles Angels
Joe Maddon manages a mid-tier favorite with the Los Angeles Angels, unlike Baker and LaRussa. But the Angels have two marquee men that could propel them to a championship season. Shohei Ohtani was the 2021 American League Most Valuable Player awardee. Meanwhile, Mike Trout has won AL MVP honors three times, the latest in 2019. Maddon is the man that ended the Chicago Cubs curse by leading them to the 2016 World Series championship. He is a 3-time Manager of the Year.
Mark Kotsay – Oakland Athletics
Last year the Oakland A’s were a highly touted American League West favorite that melted under the spotlight. This year the A’s are being ignored on the futures market. And that is when Oakland does its best work. New manager Mark Kotsay replaces Bob Melvin, who departed for the San Diego Padres. Kotsay was a coach under Melvin and a former A’s player. Kotsay could be the best value on the board. Especially if the A’s return to their normal sneaky good ways.
BookMaker Pick: Dusty Baker
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