Maddon and Piniella Top Notch Managers

Tampa Rays skipper Joe Maddon and Chicago Cubs head honcho Lou Piniella have been named the 2008 AL and NL Managers of the Year. Maddon was far from being a favorite for the award, just like his team was far from being favored to win the AL East.

The Cubs were expected to win the NL Central and they didn't disappoint, despite a short playoff run. Piniella had skippered the Rays prior to taking over the Cubs in 2007.

Piniella defeated Charlie Manuel, manager of the world champion Phillies and our choice for manager of the year, by 36 votes. Former Yankees skipper Joe Torre came in 4th in the voting. Our pre-season pick of Dusty Baker didn't look too good as he got no votes. It was the same case in the AL where we thought Trey Hillman would make a significant difference in Kansas City.

2008 NL Manager of the Year Award Voting
Manager, Club	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Lou Piniella, CHC	15	8	4	103
Charlie Manuel, PHI	8	6	9	67
Fredi Gonzalez, FLA	5	6	5	48
Joe Torre, LAD	3	8	6	45
Tony La Russa, STL	1	1	3	11
Jerry Manuel, NYM		3	1	10
Cecil Cooper, HOU			3	3
Dale Sveum, MIL			1	1

Maddon received 27 of the 28 first place votes in the AL, with second place finisher Ron Gardenhire receiving the only other top vote. Yankees manager Joe Girardi did not receive any votes. The same can be said for the Willie Randolph/Jerry Manuel Mets combo.

2008 AL Manager of the Year Award Voting
Manager, Club	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Joe Maddon, TB	27	1		138
Ron Gardenhire, MIN	1	15	8	58
Mike Scioscia, LAA		12	9	45
Terry Francona, BOS			6	6
Ozzie Guillen, CWS			3	3
Cito Gaston, TOR			2	2

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Yankees vs. Red Sox

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The Daily Yankeeland - 6/18

We're still up against since we're off tomorrow. Where will be? Yankee Stadium for the first time this year. WOooooooooooooHOooooooooooooo.

Al Aceves is blipping on our radar like crazy. The lefty the Yankees plucked from the Mexican League was outstanding at Tampa and has brought his 'A' game to 'AA' in Trenton. Last night he threw 1-hit ball over 8 innings in a 7-0 win over the Harrisburg Senators. Between the two stops, he's 6-3, 1.88 with a 5.5:1 strikeout to walk ration. Austin Jackson is getting his bat going too. He's had a pair of 7 RBI games this year. Last night he had to settle for 4 RBI, 3 of them coming on his 7th home run of the season. He's not hitting .283 with 33 walks and 45 RBI.

Willie Randolph will always be a Yankee at heart and that's maybe why a lot of us are even angrier at how his firing was handled by the Mets. Omar Minaya's interview with Mike and the Mad Dog yesterday is a must listen.

We're in the midst of reading Bobby Murcer's "Yankee for Life: My 40-Year Journey in Pinstripes ". It's a good read to pick up. Some good stories about Thurman, Sweet Lou, and the Scooter, among others.

Chien-Ming Wang told Mike Puma of the NY Post that he's confident he'll be back by September. From the Wanger's mouth to God's ears.

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Where in the World is Steve Bartman?

99 years and counting. The Chicago Cubs made it a quick 3 and out as the Arizona Diamondbacks won tonight, 5-1, to complete an NLDS sweep. The Dbacks starting pitching dominated the series, as the victors outscored the Cubbies 16-6.

Oh, and Lou Piniella, you bring back Carlos Zambrano for game 4 now...oh wait, there is no game 4.

And does this look familiar? Alfonso Soriano, 2-14.

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