NL Rookie

1. Ryan Howard, Phillies.
2. Jeff Francoeur, Braves.
3. Willy Taveras, Astros.

Very tough call, but Howard passed Francoeur in OPS in the final days of the season and had a much better September. Taveras, the best full-season candidate, gets points for playing center field, but he had the fourth-lowest OPS among NL hitters who qualify for the batting title.

AL Manager

1. Ozzie Guillen, White Sox.
2. Eric Wedge, Indians.
3. Ken Macha, A's.

I have to pick Guillen; his volatility will get him fired before he gets another chance at this award. Seriously, Guillen deserves the honor because he not only managed the White Sox to the best record in the AL, but he also contributed to the vision that transformed them from an all-or-nothing offensive team into a pitching-and-defense dynamo. Wedge and Macha did terrific jobs with young clubs but didn't shape their teams the way Guillen did.

NL Manager

1. Bobby Cox, Braves.
2. Phil Garner, Astros.
3. Tony La Russa, Cardinals.

Garner rallied his team from 15 games under .500 to a postseason berth, but Cox is the master. Easiest choice of them all.

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