Managers helped teams persevere through trying times

NEW YORK --- The Los Angeles Angels could have crumbled when pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a car accident in April, overcome by waves of grief and sadness.

Mike Scioscia kept them moving forward.

"There wasn't one defining moment," he said. "I think as the season started to evolve guys found that sense of purpose to play baseball again and they played it at a very, very high level."

For his deft touch during a trying season, Scioscia won the AL Manager of the Year award on Wednesday for the second time. Jim Tracy, of Colorado, was selected for the NL honor.

Tracy became the second manager to win the award after taking over during the season, joining Jack McKeon, of Florida, in 2003. Less than an hour after the award was announced, the Rockies said Tracy had been rewarded with a three-year contract.

"What we're talking about this afternoon, it's probably as flattering an experience as I've come to realize during the course of my professional career in athletics," Tracy said. "And obviously a new contract is extremely exciting. But what is more intriguing for me is what is still out there for our ballclub."

The Rockies promoted Tracy from bench coach after Clint Hurdle was fired in late May and won the wild-card race. Scioscia and the Angels paid tribute to Adenhart with their fifth AL West title in six years.

"Some things, you're never prepared for," Scioscia said. "But those things really weren't about us. They were about the Adenhart family and I think as we supported them we found some peace."

Scioscia managed the Angels to their third consecutive division title during one of his most difficult seasons in the dugout.

"For a long time, it wasn't easy for our club," Scioscia said.