http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article...sp&c_id=mlb
MIAMI -- Determination and drive were two traits Joe Girardi exhibited while managing the Florida Marlins in 2006.
Undaunted by taking over the youngest and cheapest team in the Major Leagues, the former big-league catcher refused to settle for any expectation other than winning. Surprisingly, the Marlins won far more games than anyone could have imagined.
Dire predictions of 100 or more losses awaited Girardi, but the Marlins responded by remaining in Wild Card contention until mid-September, before finishing 78-84.
For his guidance and direction, the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Wednesday rewarded Girardi with the National League Manager of the Year Award.
Girardi is the second top manager award winner in Marlins history. Jack McKeon, who guided the club to a shocking 2003 World Series championship, picked up the trophy after that miracle season.
For Girardi, it's his second top manager award since the season ended. The Sporting News, in a vote of National League managers, tabbed him as the top NL manager in October.
This has been a reward-filled offseason for the Marlins. On Monday, shortstop Hanley Ramirez was named NL Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA. Additionally, All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla was a recent winner of the National League Outstanding Rookie Award in the Players Choice Awards. Uggla also was The Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year.
In a bizarre twist, Girardi claimed the award after he was dismissed by the Marlins on Oct. 3. On the same day, Fredi Gonzalez was hired as the organization's ninth manager.
After the 2005 season, Girardi signed a three-year contract with the Marlins, replacing McKeon. But internal friction developed with the front office, and it remained throughout the season.
On Monday, Girardi rejoined the YES Network, where he worked in 2004, as a Yankees analyst. Earlier in the offseason, the Peoria, Ill., native interviewed for the Cubs' and Nationals' managerial openings.
With the Marlins, Girardi worked with a rookie-laden squad. Predictably, the team that started a Major League record six rookies on Opening Day endured its share of growing pains. On May 21, the season appeared headed for disaster when the Marlins' record fell to 11-31. It would have been easy for the team to fall deeper in the standings, but it kept plugging away.
An emphasis was placed on teaching and instructing. So hours before each game, the coaching staff worked with players to help them continue to improve. Eventually, the results began to surface as the squad started coming of age.
On Sept. 12, the Marlins improved to 73-72, making them the first team in Major League history to improve from at least 20 games under .500 to post a winning record in the same season. It was a year of firsts, as the club set another all-time league standard with four rookie pitchers winning at least 10 games.
Girardi joined the Marlins without any previous managerial experience. He retired as a player before the 2004 season and spent that year working for the YES Network. In 2005, the former catcher was the Yankees' bench coach.
MIAMI -- Determination and drive were two traits Joe Girardi exhibited while managing the Florida Marlins in 2006.
Undaunted by taking over the youngest and cheapest team in the Major Leagues, the former big-league catcher refused to settle for any expectation other than winning. Surprisingly, the Marlins won far more games than anyone could have imagined.
Dire predictions of 100 or more losses awaited Girardi, but the Marlins responded by remaining in Wild Card contention until mid-September, before finishing 78-84.
For his guidance and direction, the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Wednesday rewarded Girardi with the National League Manager of the Year Award.
Girardi is the second top manager award winner in Marlins history. Jack McKeon, who guided the club to a shocking 2003 World Series championship, picked up the trophy after that miracle season.
For Girardi, it's his second top manager award since the season ended. The Sporting News, in a vote of National League managers, tabbed him as the top NL manager in October.
This has been a reward-filled offseason for the Marlins. On Monday, shortstop Hanley Ramirez was named NL Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA. Additionally, All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla was a recent winner of the National League Outstanding Rookie Award in the Players Choice Awards. Uggla also was The Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year.
In a bizarre twist, Girardi claimed the award after he was dismissed by the Marlins on Oct. 3. On the same day, Fredi Gonzalez was hired as the organization's ninth manager.
After the 2005 season, Girardi signed a three-year contract with the Marlins, replacing McKeon. But internal friction developed with the front office, and it remained throughout the season.
On Monday, Girardi rejoined the YES Network, where he worked in 2004, as a Yankees analyst. Earlier in the offseason, the Peoria, Ill., native interviewed for the Cubs' and Nationals' managerial openings.
With the Marlins, Girardi worked with a rookie-laden squad. Predictably, the team that started a Major League record six rookies on Opening Day endured its share of growing pains. On May 21, the season appeared headed for disaster when the Marlins' record fell to 11-31. It would have been easy for the team to fall deeper in the standings, but it kept plugging away.
An emphasis was placed on teaching and instructing. So hours before each game, the coaching staff worked with players to help them continue to improve. Eventually, the results began to surface as the squad started coming of age.
On Sept. 12, the Marlins improved to 73-72, making them the first team in Major League history to improve from at least 20 games under .500 to post a winning record in the same season. It was a year of firsts, as the club set another all-time league standard with four rookie pitchers winning at least 10 games.
Girardi joined the Marlins without any previous managerial experience. He retired as a player before the 2004 season and spent that year working for the YES Network. In 2005, the former catcher was the Yankees' bench coach.
