Texas' Jeff Bannister selected AL Manager of the Year
NEW YORK (AP) Jeff Bannister has been selected the AL Manager of the Year after leading the Texas Rangers to a division title in his first season on the job.
Bannister got 17 first-place votes for 112 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America in balloting announced Tuesday.
Bannister is the fifth manager to win in his first year. Washington's Matt Williams won in 2014, his first as a manager. He was fired after the end of this season.
Texas won 88 games this season - 21 wins better than last year - in taking the AL West despite losing ace Yu Darvish for the entire season.
Houston's A.J. Hinch was second, receiving eight first-place votes and 82 points. Minnesota's Paul Molitor, another first-year manager, got two first-place votes and 33 points.
The NL Manager of the Year will be announced later Tuesday.
