Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin was named as a finalist for the Baseball Writers' Association of America American League Manager of the Year today, along with Boston's Alex Cora and Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash.
Melvin has won the award twice previously, earning National League Manager of the Year honors in 2007 with Arizona and AL honors in 2012 with Oakland. Since the award began in 1983, only seven managers have earned honors three or more times, including Dusty Baker, Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Joe Maddon, Lou Piniella and Buck Showalter. Melvin has already been named Sporting News Manager of the Year this year.
Melvin led the A's to the fourth best record in the majors (97-65) and a postseason berth in 2018. The 22-win improvement from 2017 to 2018 (75-87 in 2017) was the third time a Bob Melvin-managed team increased its win total by 20 or more games from the previous season. It was the fourth time he led the A's to the postseason since joining the organization in 2011 and improved his record as A's skipper to 634-599 (.514). His win total is third most in franchise history behind Connie Mack (3,582) and Tony La Russa (798).
Melvin received a two-year contract extension through the 2021 season a week ago today. Among active managers, only Bruce Bochy (SF), Ned Yost (KC), and Clint Hurdle (PIT) have longer uninterrupted tenures with their current teams. In 15 seasons as a manager, Melvin has guided Seattle (2003-04), Arizona (2004-09) and Oakland (2011-present) to three division titles (2007, 2012, 2013) and two Wild Card appearances (2014, 2018).
The winners of the BBWAA Manager of the Year awards will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 13 on MLB Network at 3:00 pm PST.