What's at stake

Which National League manager wins the 2026 Manager of the Year award and the formal recognition that follows.

The winner receives a prominent career accolade. It can influence job security, contract leverage, and a manager's long-term reputation among peers and award voters.

Who's in play

Torey Lovullo, Walt Weiss, Craig Counsell, Terry Francona, Warren Schaeffer, Dave Roberts, Clayton McCullough, Pat Murphy, Carlos Mendoza, Rob Thomson, Don Kelly, Oliver Marmol, Craig Stammen, Tony Vitello, and Blake Butera are the named candidates.

Each currently leads—or has led—an NL club this season, and their teams' records and narratives will be the primary basis for ballots.

What drives it

Team records, run differential, and key injuries form the statistical backbone of the voting case for any manager.

Voter narratives—perceived overachievement, late-season streaks, strategic in-game moves, clubhouse stability, and national media coverage—shift how writers rank finalists on their ballots.

What to watch

September performance and the final weeks of the regular season are decisive for Manager of the Year perceptions.

Monitor divisional races, head-to-head outcomes, surprise win streaks or collapses, prominent media narratives, and the release of BBWAA ballots after the season concludes.