MLB Makes History as Pat Murphy Wins Third Straight Manager of the Year Award — But Will Venable’s White Sox Turnaround May Be Even More Remarkable
CHICAGO / MILWAUKEE — November 11, 2026
Major League Baseball has witnessed two extraordinary managerial achievements, with Milwaukee Brewers skipper Pat Murphy and Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable capturing the 2026 Manager of the Year awards after leading their respective teams through remarkable seasons.
Murphy secured the National League honor for an unprecedented third consecutive year, becoming the first manager in MLB history to accomplish the feat. Meanwhile, Venable earned the American League award after transforming the White Sox from one of baseball’s struggling franchises into a postseason contender.
The announcements, made Tuesday night by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), delivered a fitting recognition for two managers whose teams exceeded expectations in very different ways.
But Murphy’s historic achievement and Venable’s remarkable turnaround raise an even bigger question: Are these two managers changing what success looks like in modern Major League Baseball?
Pat Murphy Makes MLB History With Unprecedented Third Straight Award
Murphy’s latest recognition places him in an exclusive category of baseball managers.
The 67-year-old Brewers skipper became the first manager in either league to win the Manager of the Year award three consecutive times since the honor was introduced in 1983.
He also became the 10th manager in MLB history to receive the award at least three times.
Murphy collected 20 first-place votes and 124 total points, comfortably defeating Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss, who finished second with 86 points and seven first-place votes.
Philadelphia Phillies manager Don Mattingly placed third.
The achievement reflects Milwaukee’s remarkable consistency under Murphy’s leadership.
Since taking over before the 2024 season, he has guided the Brewers to three consecutive National League Central division championships.
In 2026, Milwaukee recorded a franchise-best 103 victories against 59 losses, finishing with the best regular-season record in the major leagues.
The Brewers subsequently carried that momentum into October, capturing their first World Series championship in franchise history.
Their postseason journey included defeating the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series and defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in five World Series games.
The combination of regular-season dominance and a historic championship made Murphy’s third consecutive award particularly significant.
Pat Murphy Receives Award While Recovering From Hip Replacement Surgery
One of the most remarkable details surrounding Murphy’s award announcement was his physical condition.
The Brewers manager was recovering from a recent hip replacement procedure when the results were announced.
He participated in MLB Network interviews from a hospital bed, demonstrating that even a historic baseball achievement could not interrupt his medical recovery.
Murphy had also undergone back surgery in June, making his demanding 2026 campaign particularly challenging.
His ability to continue leading Milwaukee through another successful season despite those health setbacks added another dimension to his accomplishment.
Murphy’s coaching career extends well beyond professional baseball.
Before joining the Brewers’ coaching staff, he spent 25 years as a college baseball head coach, including successful tenures at Notre Dame and Arizona State.
His collegiate coaching record reached 1,000 victories, demonstrating the experience he brought into professional baseball.
He also spent eight seasons as Milwaukee’s bench coach between 2016 and 2023 before replacing Craig Counsell as manager.
That continuity proved valuable as Murphy established his preferred approach to managing the team.
His philosophy emphasizes preparation, accountability and winning the immediate game rather than becoming distracted by the larger schedule.
The Brewers have responded with three consecutive division titles and now their first World Series championship.
Will Venable Leads Historic White Sox Turnaround
While Murphy made history in the National League, Venable delivered one of the most impressive managerial turnarounds in recent MLB history.
The White Sox manager won the American League Manager of the Year award after guiding Chicago to an 84-78 record and its first postseason appearance since 2021.
The accomplishment becomes even more remarkable when considering the franchise’s recent struggles.
Chicago entered the 2026 campaign after suffering three consecutive seasons with at least 100 losses.
The team recorded 101 losses in 2023, a Modern Era record of 121 losses in 2024 and another 102 defeats in 2025.
Venable inherited the difficult situation when he became the White Sox manager ahead of the 2025 season.
His first campaign produced a 60-102 record, but the organization showed signs of progress.
That development accelerated dramatically in 2026.
Chicago improved by 24 victories, finishing 84-78 and earning the American League’s third Wild Card position.
The White Sox also became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason after consecutive 100-loss seasons.
It was a remarkable achievement for a franchise that had spent several years struggling to remain competitive.
Venable Defeats Kevin Cash and Chad Tracy in American League Voting
Venable received 15 first-place votes and 111 total points in the BBWAA voting.
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash finished second with 12 first-place votes and 98 points.
Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy placed third with 47 points, receiving three first-place votes.
The voting results demonstrate how competitive the American League managerial race was.
Cash guided Tampa Bay to the American League’s best record and a World Series appearance, while Tracy helped Boston reach the postseason after taking over as interim manager following Alex Cora’s departure on April 25.
Nevertheless, Venable’s achievement stood out because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Chicago’s turnaround.
His 24-win improvement represented one of the biggest positive developments in the American League.
Venable also became the sixth White Sox manager to win the BBWAA award and the first since Ozzie Guillén received the honor in 2005.
Other Chicago winners include Jerry Manuel, Gene Lamont, Jeff Torborg and Tony La Russa.
How the White Sox Went From 121 Losses to the Playoffs
The foundation of Chicago’s transformation began with establishing a stronger team identity.
Venable emphasized accountability, preparation and maintaining concentration throughout all 27 outs of a baseball game.
Rather than allowing the team’s difficult history to define its expectations, he encouraged players to focus on daily improvement.
That approach became increasingly important after the White Sox endured a difficult opening stretch in 2026.
Chicago began the season 1-5 during its opening road trip and subsequently lost 13 of its first 19 games.
Despite the poor start, the players maintained their confidence.
The organization gradually developed greater consistency, eventually winning enough games to remain competitive in the American League Central.
The White Sox spent 96 days atop the division standings during the season.
Their improvement ultimately secured the franchise’s 12th postseason appearance.
Chicago then delivered another surprise by sweeping the Houston Astros in two games during the American League Wild Card Series.
The team advanced to the Division Series against Cleveland, where it initially took a 2-0 lead.
However, the Guardians recovered and won three consecutive games to eliminate Chicago in five games.
Although the postseason run ended short of the championship, the White Sox had already accomplished something extraordinary.
They transformed from a team that had lost more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons into a legitimate postseason competitor.
Murphy and Venable Represent Two Different Paths to Success
The 2026 Manager of the Year results illustrate two distinct approaches to building a successful baseball organization.
Murphy guided an established competitive team toward sustained excellence.
Under his leadership, Milwaukee developed into one of baseball’s most consistent franchises, winning three consecutive division titles before securing its first World Series championship.
Venable, on the other hand, inherited a struggling organization that needed significant improvement.
His accomplishment involved rebuilding confidence, improving performance and restoring competitiveness to a franchise that had experienced several historically difficult seasons.
Both managers demonstrated the importance of leadership, although their challenges were very different.
Murphy’s success came through maintaining an already competitive organization and helping it achieve the ultimate championship objective.
Venable’s success came through changing the direction of a struggling team and creating a foundation for future competitiveness.
Their awards demonstrate that managerial excellence is not limited to winning championships.
It can also involve delivering extraordinary improvement under difficult circumstances.
What the Voting Results Reveal About MLB’s Manager of the Year Awards
The BBWAA uses a points-based voting system to determine the winners.
Each first-place vote is worth five points, each second-place vote is worth three points and each third-place vote is worth one point.
Voting is conducted by 30 baseball writers, with two representatives from each MLB city voting for the league they cover.
Importantly, ballots were submitted before the start of the postseason.
This means Murphy’s award was determined based on Milwaukee’s regular-season performance rather than its subsequent World Series championship.
The same applies to Venable’s recognition.
His award was based on Chicago’s regular-season turnaround, not its postseason victories over Houston or subsequent Division Series elimination.
That distinction is important when evaluating the results.
Both managers were recognized for their contributions during the regular season, even though their teams went on to experience different postseason outcomes.
Can Murphy Join MLB’s Greatest Managerial Legends?
Murphy’s third consecutive award puts him closer to the sport’s most celebrated managerial figures.
Only three managers have won the Manager of the Year award four times: Buck Showalter, Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa.
Murphy now has three awards, all earned consecutively with Milwaukee.
Other managers with three career awards include Terry Francona and Dusty Baker.
However, Murphy’s achievement is unique because nobody had previously won the honor three years in a row.
His success also reinforces Milwaukee’s reputation as an organization capable of competing with larger-market franchises.
The Brewers do not traditionally operate with the financial resources of organizations such as the Dodgers, Yankees or Mets.
Nevertheless, they produced the best regular-season record in baseball in 2025 and 2026, while capturing the franchise’s first World Series title this year.
That success could become an important reference point for smaller-market teams attempting to compete through player development, roster construction and consistent organizational leadership.
What Comes Next for the White Sox and Brewers?
For Milwaukee, the immediate challenge is maintaining its championship standard.
The Brewers have established themselves as a dominant National League organization, but sustaining success after a World Series victory can be difficult.
The front office must continue evaluating its roster, developing young players and finding ways to remain competitive.
Murphy’s leadership will remain an important part of that process.
For Chicago, the priority is turning the 2026 breakthrough into sustained success.
An 84-win season and postseason appearance represent significant progress, but the White Sox still have to demonstrate that their improvement is sustainable.
Venable’s next challenge will involve developing greater consistency, improving the roster and proving that the organization can compete for the American League Central title.
The difference between a one-season turnaround and a long-term rebuilding success will depend on what happens next.
The White Sox have finally given their supporters a reason to believe again.
And Milwaukee has delivered a championship that will remain a defining moment in franchise history.
The Bigger Picture: Two Managers, Two Historic Achievements
Pat Murphy and Will Venable have delivered two of the most compelling managerial stories of the 2026 MLB season.
Murphy became the first manager to win three consecutive Manager of the Year awards, capping another remarkable season with Milwaukee’s first World Series championship.
Venable restored competitiveness to the White Sox, guiding a franchise that had endured three straight 100-loss seasons into the postseason.
Their achievements highlight two essential elements of successful baseball management: sustaining excellence and creating meaningful change.
Murphy has demonstrated how consistency can produce a championship-winning organization.
Venable has shown how strong leadership can help a struggling franchise rediscover its identity.
Both managers now enter the offseason with their reputations strengthened and their teams facing new expectations.
For Milwaukee, the challenge is defending its championship.
For Chicago, it is proving that the turnaround was only the beginning.
And as MLB looks toward another season, one question remains: Can Pat Murphy lead the Brewers to a fourth consecutive Manager of the Year award, or will Will Venable’s remarkable White Sox revival become the foundation of baseball’s next great dynasty?
