by Sports Xchange

In recognition of that effort, Scioscia was named the American League Manager of the Year in voting by baseball writers. Scioscia was named first on 15 of the 28 ballots, outpolling Twins manager Ron Gardenhire (six first-place votes).

It was Scioscia's second time winning the award. He also was named manager of the year following the Angels' championship in 2002.

But this season was one of resilience. The Angels had to overcome the tragic death of pitcher Nick Adenhart in April and an early-season rash of injuries, but they wound up winning 97 games, their fifth division title in the past six seasons and reaching the AL Championship Series before losing to the Yankees.

"There were things that happened this year that every team has to be prepared for and some things there's no way to prepare for," Scioscia said. "I think our major league staff did an unbelievable job of keeping our guys who were torn by some really devastating things that happened this year together and just allow them to continue playing baseball. And they emerged as a terrific baseball club.

"There were definitely some things that happened this year that you're never prepared for. But those things weren't about us. They were about the Adenhart family, and by supporting them, I think we were able to get some peace and just play baseball."

Scioscia, who will turn 51 on Nov. 27, is the winningest manager in Angels history (900 victories) and the only manager in baseball history to lead his team to the postseason six times in his first 10 seasons.