Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider came in second place in the American League manager of the year voting, with Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt taking the top spot as per the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Schneider led the Blue Jays to a successful season, securing 94 wins and clinching the American League East Division title. He received 10 first-place votes out of 30, accumulating a total of 91 points. On the other hand, Vogt, who guided the Guardians to victory in the AL Central, garnered 17 first-place votes and 113 points. Dan Wilson of the Seattle Mariners was also a finalist, receiving two first-place votes and 50 points.
This marks Vogt’s second consecutive year winning the award, with Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy also securing a repeat victory in the National League. Schneider’s leadership saw a significant improvement for the Blue Jays this year, winning 20 more games compared to their previous last-place finish in 2024. Despite a strong performance, the Blue Jays fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series after winning two playoff rounds.
The voting took place before the post-season began, with Bobby Cox being the sole Blue Jays manager aside from Schneider to have claimed this prestigious award back in 1985. Schneider’s second-place finish is the highest for a Toronto manager since Cito Gaston’s runner-up position to Frank Robinson in 1989. Having taken over as Blue Jays manager in July 2022, Schneider’s contract was recently extended through the 2026 season.
General manager Ross Atkins commended Schneider’s leadership, expressing pride in working alongside him. Schneider, hailing from Princeton, N.J., has been an integral part of the Toronto organization for over two decades. His journey with the Blue Jays started in 2002 when he was drafted by the team before later transitioning to coaching roles within the franchise. Schneider’s dedication and expertise have played a crucial role in the Blue Jays’ success, culminating in a strong performance in the 2025 season.