Two days after the World Series defeat, John Schneider emerges as a contender for the American League Manager of the Year accolade, recognized for his leadership in propelling the Toronto Blue Jays to the pinnacle of the league. The prestigious award, determined by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, will unveil the AL recipient on November 11. Joining Schneider as finalists are Dan Wilson from the Seattle Mariners and Stephen Vogt from the Cleveland Guardians.
Schneider, now in his fourth year as manager and completing his third full season, orchestrated a remarkable revival for the team. Following a disappointing 74-88 record in 2024, the Blue Jays underwent a significant transformation under his guidance. The 2025 season saw Toronto clinch the top spot in the division with a 94-68 record, narrowly edging out the New York Yankees via a tiebreaker after a resounding 13-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in their final regular-season game.
The team’s impressive performance extended into the postseason, with Toronto triumphing over the Yankees in a four-game division series and the Mariners in a thrilling seven-game championship series. Despite their valiant efforts, the Blue Jays ultimately succumbed to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a hard-fought seven-game World Series showdown.