Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider placed second in the American League manager of the year voting conducted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, with Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt coming out on top. Schneider led the Blue Jays to a successful season with 94 wins and clinching the American League East Division title. Vogt, on the other hand, guided the Guardians to the AL Central crown, ultimately earning him the top spot with 17 first-place votes and 113 points. Dan Wilson from the Seattle Mariners was also in the running as a finalist, receiving two first-place votes and 50 points.
This marks Vogt’s second consecutive year winning the award, with Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy also securing a repeat victory for the National League accolade. Schneider’s leadership saw a significant improvement for the Blue Jays this season, as they won 20 more games compared to their last-place finish in 2024. The team went on to triumph in two playoff rounds before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
The voting for the award took place prior to the start of the post-season. Bobby Cox remains the sole Blue Jays manager to have previously won the accolade back in 1985. Schneider’s second-place finish is the highest for a Toronto skipper since Cito Gaston’s runner-up position in 1989. Schneider, who took over as manager in July 2022, had his contract extended through the 2026 season, as confirmed by general manager Ross Atkins during a recent media briefing.
Schneider, a native of Princeton, N.J., played a pivotal role in the Blue Jays’ journey to the wild-card series in his first year as manager. Despite early setbacks, Schneider’s strategic approach paid off in the 2025 season, leading the team to victory in the AL Division Series and the AL Championship Series. The Blue Jays fell short in a close 5-4, 11-inning battle against the Dodgers in the World Series finale.
With over two decades of dedication to the Toronto franchise, Schneider’s career has been a testament to his commitment and expertise. Starting as a player drafted by the Blue Jays in 2002, Schneider transitioned to coaching roles within the organization. His promotion to manager of the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in 2018 resulted in an Eastern League manager of the year title after securing a championship for the team. Schneider’s progression to the major-league coaching staff in 2019 and subsequent appointment as bench coach in 2022 solidified his standing within the Blue Jays organization. Schneider is the 14th manager of the Blue Jays since the team’s inception in 1977.