The NL and AL manager of the year awards are given to one skipper in each league, as voted upon by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
The award has been given out on an annual basis since 1983 when Tony La Russa (Chicago White Sox) and Tommy Lasorda (L.A. Dodgers) captured the prize.
Since then, there have been a slew of high-profile managers that have taken home the award including Sparky Anderson, Jim Leyland, Lou Pinella and Joe Torre.
Bobby Cox became the first to win the award in both leagues (Blue Jays 1985, Braves 1991). La Russa and Cox share the record for most wins with four each.
With Major League Baseball set to announce the winners of the award Tuesday, Nov. 13 let’s take a closer look at this year’s finalists as previously announced by MLB.
AMERICAN LEAGUE FINALISTS:
Bob Melvin, Oakland Athletics
Age: 51 | Hired: September, 2011
A’s record 2012: 94-68
A’s record 2011: 74-88
The Skinny: In what supposed to be a rebuilding season, Melvin stunned the baseball world and brought the A’s to the playoffs.
Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles
Age: 56 | Hired: July, 2010
Orioles record 2012: 93-69
Orioles record 2011: 69-93
The Skinny: Showalter helped the Orioles escape their perennial fifth-place finish, bringing them to a wild card berth and to within two games of the AL East title.
Robin Ventura, Chicago White Sox
Age: 45 | Hired: October, 2011
White Sox record 2012: 85-77
White Sox record 2011: 79-83
The Skinny:, The rookie manager Ventura had the White Sox on the brink of a playoff spot in a year that was expected to be about the future.
Who do you think should win the 2012 AL Manager of the Year award?
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NATIONAL LEAGUE FINALISTS:
Bruce Bochy, San Francisco Giants
Age: 57| Hired: October, 2006
Giants record 2012: 94-68
Giants record 2011: 86-76
The Skinny: Bochy restored order and brought the Giants their second NL West title in the last three years. The Giants won the World Series, but the award was voted on after the regular season.
Dusty Baker, Cincinnati Reds
Age: 63 | Hired: October, 2007
Reds record 2012: 97-65
Reds record 2011: 79-83
The Skinny: Baker helped keep the Reds afloat despite losing slugger Joey Votto for a large portion of the season.
Davey Johnson, Washington Nationals
Age: 69 | Hired: June, 2011
Nationals record 2012: 98-64
Nationals record 2011: 80-81
The Skinny: The Nationals reached the playoffs for the first time since leaving Montreal with Johnson helping manage the best pitching staff in the National League.
Who do you think should win the 2012 NL Manager of the Year award?
$(“#poll_11026″).v2Poll({poll_id: 11026});
MLB Awards Schedule Nov. 12, 2012: AL, NL Jackie Robinson Rookies of the Year announced
Nov. 13, 2012: AL, NL Managers of the Year announced
Nov. 14, 2012: AL, NL Cy Youngs announced
Nov. 15, 2012: AL, NL MVPs announced