The world of Major League Baseball (MLB) has evolved exponentially over the past several years, with teams relying heavily on their managers to lead them to victory. In a game that requires focus, discipline, and determination, having an experienced and confident leader is essential for any squad to have a successful season. In this article, we will examine the top baseball managers in the MLB today and rank them according to their effectiveness. From traditional stalwarts to modern-day legends, we will evaluate the management style and accomplishments of some of the best MLB skippers.
Hall of Fame Managers
When it comes to baseball managers, few can compare to the Hall of Famers who have long been respected in the industry. Managers such as Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa have earned the respect of their peers and laid down a solid foundation for the current crop of MLB managers.
Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox is an American former professional baseball manager and player in the Major League Baseball (MLB). He managed the Atlanta Braves for twenty-four years, from 1978 to 1981 and again from 1990 to 2010. During his tenure with the Braves, he won the National League (NL) Manager of the Year Award four times (1985, 1991, 2004 and 2005), and remains the only manager in Major League history to have won the award in three different decades.
Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa is considered one of the most successful managers in Major League Baseball history. The former manager of both the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals, he has won three world series titles (1989 and 1990 with the Athletics, and 2006 with the Cardinals). La Russa is only the third manager in MLB history to have won the World Series in both the American and National Leagues, and is the only one to do so with two different franchises.
Modern Managers
While Hall of Fame managers have long been respected for their achievements and experience, the modern era of baseball has ushered in a new generation of managers, who have had success of their own.
Joe Maddon
Joe Maddon is an American former professional baseball player and current manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has managed the Tampa Bay Rays from 2006 to 2014 and was the Chicago Cubs manager from 2015 to 2019. He is also the only manager in MLB history to lead a team to the playoffs four years in a row in four different decades.
Clint Hurdle
Clint Hurdle is an American former professional baseball player and current manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He began managing the Pirates in 2011 and during his tenure with the team, he has earned three straight NL Central division titles from 2013 to 2015, and was named the NL Manager of the Year in 2013.
Terry Francona
Terry Francona is an American former professional baseball player and current manager of the Cleveland Indians. He began managing the Indians in 2013 and has since led the team to six consecutive winning seasons, five AL Central division titles and the 2016 World Series Championship. In addition, he was named the AL Manager of the Year in 2013 and 2016.
Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi is an American former professional baseball player and current manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He began managing the Yankees in 2008 and led them to their 27th World Series Championship in 2009. He also led the team to three AL East division titles and was named the AL Manager of the Year in 2006.
Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker is an American former professional baseball player and current manager of the Houston Astros. He began managing the Astros in 2017 and during his tenure, he has led the team to two AL West division titles and was named the AL Manager of the Year in 2019.
At the end of the day, it is clear that the MLB is full of talented, experienced, and successful managers. It is for this reason that it can be so difficult to narrow down the best managers in the league, as there are several Hall of Famers, modern-day legends, and up-and-coming skippers who all make a case for the top spot. Whether they are traditional stalwarts such as Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa or modern managers such as Joe Maddon and Clint Hurdle, each skipper put their own spin on the job and have had success of their own. The MLB is truly in great hands with the managers listed above and in the future, it is sure to be a bright one.
