Murphy makes history with third straight NL manager award, Venable takes AL honor

Pat Murphy received the BBWAA's National League Manager of the Year award on Tuesday, becoming the first manager to win in three straight seasons since the honor was introduced in 1983. The Milwaukee Brewers manager also guided the franchise to its first World Series championship. Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable won the American League award in his second season.

Murphy collected 20 first-place votes and 124 points. Atlanta's Walt Weiss placed second with seven first-place votes and 86 points, followed by Philadelphia's Don Mattingly with one first-place vote and 25 points. San Diego's Craig Stammen received the remaining two first-place votes and finished fourth with 24 points. Voting took place before the postseason, following a franchise-record 103 victories for Milwaukee, which led the majors in wins for the second straight year.

Accepting the award from a hospital bed after hip replacement surgery, Murphy told MLB Network that Milwaukee's response to adversity during the playoffs had given him confidence in the team's chances. His appointment three years earlier followed Craig Counsell's departure for the Chicago Cubs. Murphy, then approaching his 65th birthday, had spent eight seasons as Counsell's bench coach.

Milwaukee entered the season with significant pitching losses. Freddy Peralta was traded during the offseason, Jose Quintana departed in free agency and Quinn Priester missed the entire season through injury. Brandon Woodruff, whose seven wins made him the returning staff leader from 2025, made only nine starts. A breakout year from Jacob Misiorowski and a major-league-high 80 starts by rookies helped the Brewers secure their fourth consecutive division championship.

The Brewers took permanent possession of first place on May 19. After their advantage narrowed to three games in mid-August, they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in consecutive games behind Misiorowski and Logan Henderson, then defeated Seattle 22-0. Milwaukee went 39-13 from Aug. 15 through the conclusion of the playoffs. Murphy also held players accountable for their effort, removing rookie Cooper Pratt from an August game and later pinch hitting for Willson Contreras after instances of failing to run hard.

Venable earned 15 first-place votes and 111 points, finishing ahead of Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash, who received 12 first-place votes and 98 points. Boston's Chad Tracy placed third with three first-place votes and 47 points. Chicago finished 84-78 and claimed a wild-card berth after losing 102 games in 2025 and a franchise-record 121 games two years ago.

Venable described the turnaround as "a collaborative effort" and credited players, coaches and the wider organization. He told MLB Network that lessons from his first season helped shape the team's daily preparation, communication and priorities.

Cash guided Tampa Bay to an AL-leading 98-64 record after a 77-85 finish in 2025, and the Rays won their second AL pennant under him. Tracy took over Boston following Alex Cora's dismissal after a 10-17 start. The Red Sox went 77-58 under Tracy, including a 32-5 stretch.

In the NL, Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson after Philadelphia opened 9-19 and directed a 79-55 finish. The Phillies placed second in the NL East behind Atlanta, which went 94-68 in Weiss' first season following Brian Snitker's retirement.