Angels’ Mike Scioscia is Sporting News manager of the year

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His team may be down and almost out against the New York Yankees, but that hasn’t stopped the folks over at the Sporting News from naming the Angels’ Mike Scioscia as its American League manager of the year.

Sporting News says Scioscia was destined to get the honor after leading the Angels to a 97-65 regular-season record and their fifth AL West title in six seasons. Their trip to the ALCS also made the decision easier.

‘After the Nick Adenhart tragedy, it was very tough for us,’ Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu told the Sporting News. ‘Mike understood that and didn’t talk a lot about our play for about two weeks. Then he said, ‘We are going through a horrible time, but we have to go out and play the game. So let’s enjoy playing and get back to our normal routine.’ He not only kept us together but he helped bring us closer together as a team.’

Colorado Rockies Manager Jim Tracy is the Sporting News’ National League manager of the year.

-- Austin Knoblauch