Fredi Gonzalez was given some, but not a lot of, respect for the job he did as manager in 2008.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez finished third in voting for the National League's Manager of the Year Award, which was won by Chicago Cubs skipper Lou Piniella. Charlie Manuel, who guided the Philadelphia Phillies to the team's first World Series title since 1980, was second in the voting. Piniella received 15 first-place votes and a total of 103 points. Manuel was second with eight first-place votes and 67 overall points. Gonzalez, who completed his second season at the helm of the Marlins, received five first-place votes and 48 points. Yeah, I know that Fredi is far from perfect. However, Piniella winning the award with a $118 million dollar payroll with the team tanking towards the end of season, didn't do much for me. But, then again, what do I know, I'm not a professional sportswriter. Congrats Fredi! Third ain't bad.