ARLINGTON -- Jeff Banister is one of three finalists for American League Manager of the Year as selected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Banister was the only Rangers finalist in any of the four major awards announced on MLB Network Monday night.
Banister, who won the award in 2015 in his first year with the Rangers, was selected along with Terry Francona of the Indians and Buck Showalter of the Orioles. Voters are only allowed to consider the regular season and must submit their ballots before the beginning of the postseason. The Manager of the Year will be announced on Nov. 15.
Banister led the Rangers to a 95-67 record and the American League West Division title before they lost to the Blue Jays in the AL Division Series. He became just the fourth manager to capture division titles in his first two seasons as a Major League skipper since the start of three-division play in 1994.
If selected, Banister would be only the second skipper to win Manager of the Year Awards in consecutive seasons since the BBWAA started voting in 1983. Bobby Cox received the honor in 2004-05 with the Braves. Joe Maddon, who won the NL award last season, has also been named a finalist for the second straight year.