John Farrell‘s eyes are on the prize. But when he finally has an opportunity to reflect on the Red Sox’ remarkable 2013 season, he’ll have at least one individual accolade to hang his hat on.
Farrell was named the Sporting News’ 2013 American League Manager of the Year, while Pirates skipper Clint Hurdle was named the National League Manager of the Year. Farrell and Hurdle were selected by a panel of 19 major league managers.
Farrell was hired in the offseason after the Red Sox went 69-93 under Bobby Valentine in 2012. Hurdle, meanwhile, guided the Pirates to their first winning season since 1992 and a trip to the NLDS, where they fell to the eventual NL champion Cardinals.
Farrell is looking to follow in Terry Francona‘s footsteps and lead the Red Sox to a World Series title in his first year as Boston’s manager. Francona finished second in this season’s Sporting News Manager of the Year vote for the success he enjoyed in his first season as Indians manager.
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