By John Zamora 
30 MLB teams, 30 managers. There are three active managers with multiple World Series rings — but is one of those three the best manager in today’s game? Let’s take a look.
30. Will Venable — Chicago White Sox
A year after losing a record 121 games, the White Sox have nowhere to go but up. First-year manager Will Venable isn’t expected to lead the Sox to anything but a last-place finish in the American League Central, but plenty of people are high on his future. Venable enjoyed a nine-year playing career and has earned a strong reputation throughout the sport. Only 42, the rookie coach should be able to relate to his team and serve as a good sounding board for the young group.
29. Clayton McCullough — Miami Marlins
Our second rookie manager checks in at No. 29. Clayton McCullough joined the Marlins after spending the past four years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. McCullough spent a ton of time coaching in the Minor Leagues before becoming the Dodgers’ first base coach. From 2007-2014, McCullough managed one of Toronto’s Minor League clubs. Prior to his role with the Dodgers, he served as the Minor League Field Coordinator for the club. Like fellow rookie manager Will Venable, McCullough is well-liked by his peers.
28. Oli Marmol — St. Louis Cardinals
Now in his fourth year with the Cardinals, Oli Marmol is on the hot seat. Marmol’s tenure in St. Louis got off to a great start — the Cardinals went 93-69 in his first season and won the NL Central. However, Marmol and the Cards have failed to reach the postseason the past two years and aren’t expected to contend this season, either. Barring a run to the postseason, Marmol’s time with the Cards may come to an end at the end of the season.
27. Dan Wilson — Seattle Mariners
After spending 12 years with the Mariners during his playing days, Dan Wilson is entering his first full season as the club’s manager. A one-time All-Star selection as a catcher, Wilson took over for the M’s at the end of the 2024 season and led the team to a 21-13 record down the stretch. Wilson seemingly has the support of the clubhouse and the team has looked good with him in charge thus far. It’s too soon to tell whether Wilson is a game-changer for the franchise, but early signs are positive.
26. Derek Shelton — Pittsburgh Pirates
How long will Shelton’s leash be with the Pirates in 2025? Now in his sixth season, Shelton has not led the Pirates to a winning season yet. The Buccos have won 76 games each of the past two seasons — up from 61 and 62, respectively, in Shelton’s first two non-Covid seasons — and now there is pressure on the club to perform. With a crop of young talent including ace Paul Skenes, another below .500 season could spell the end of Shelton’s time in Pittsburgh.
25. Bud Black — Colorado Rockies
Bud Black is in his 18th year as a manager — after spending nine years in San Diego, the veteran is in the midst of his ninth year with the Rockies. Unfortunately for Black and the franchise, this will be the worst season of his career. Black led the Rockies to back-to-back postseasons in his first two years in charge but the team has fallen off a cliff in recent years. Hampered by a lack of talent and organizational ineptitude, the Rockies have posted six losing seasons in a row and are on pace for a historically bad record in 2025. Black is closing in on 1,200 wins as a manager — but his time may be up soon.
24. Joe Espada — Houston Astros
A former Triple-A player, Joe Espada was handed the reins to the Houston Astros’ wagon ahead of the 2024 season. Taking over for the iconic Dusty Baker, Espada guided Houston to yet another AL West title (88-73) but saw his team swept by the underdog Detroit Tigers in the ALWC. Still, Espada is viewed as a bright mind in the game. The second-year manager was previously the third base coach for the Marlins and Yankees before joining the ‘Stros. From 2018-2023, Espada served as Houston’s bench coach. He will have plenty of time to grow into his new role.
23. Mark Kotsay — Athletics
The Athletics may no longer be in Oakland, but Mark Kotsay has the club heading in the right direction on the field. A 17-year vet, Kotsay took over the A’s ahead of the 2022 season and made clear strides last year. Kotsay’s club enjoyed a 19-win improvement in ’24 and has the look of a team that should see another win-bump this year. Kotsay spent four years with the A’s as a player and takes pride in managing the team — the franchise should do what it can to keep him in the dugout for years to come.
22. John Schneider — Toronto Blue Jays
In his fourth year managing the Blue Jays, John Schneider is firmly on the hot seat. Schneider took over the Jays in July 22 following Charlie Montoyo’s dismissal. In his promotion from bench coach, Schneider led the Jays to a 46-28 mark down the stretch and a trip to the postseason. His first full season as manager ended with 89 wins and another postseason appearance — a second 2-0 sweep in a row. Now, Schneider is coming off a disappointing 74-88 season. Toronto isn’t expected to win the AL East, but a sub-.500 season could end Schneider’s run North of the border.
21. Ron Washington — Los Angeles Angels
At 73 years old, Ron Washington is in his second season leading the Los Angeles Angels. Famously, Washington led the Texas Rangers to back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. In ’14 — one year removed from his fourth 90-win season in a row — Washington was fired. The Halos gave Washington a second chance at managing 10 years later. The beloved coach took over the team in the aftermath of losing Shohei Ohtani in free agency and is now tasked with brining the club back to relevancy in a winnable AL West.
20. Rocco Baldelli — Minnesota Twins
Rocco Baldelli is another former player who has found success as a manager. Baldelli took over the Twins in 2019 and made an immediate impact — leading the team to 101 wins and an AL Central title. Named the ’19 AL Manager of the Year, Baldelli’s Twins once again won the Central in ’20. Following two losing seasons, the Twins won the Central in ’23 for a third time with Baldelli in charge. And, for the first time since 2002, won a series in the postseason.
19. Mike Shildt — San Diego Padres
Is Mike Shildt the most underrated manager in baseball? Now in his second year with the Padres, Shildt has guided his team to the postseason in all four of his full seasons as a manager. After taking over as manager of the Cardinals in 2018 — Shildt went 41-28 to end the year — he led St. Louis to three postseasons in a row. Last year, Shildt’s Padres won 93 games and were the World Series favorite entering the playoffs. Shildt and the Padres have a good shot at returning to the playoffs in 2025, as well.
18. Stephen Vogt — Cleveland Guardians
From playing on the diamond in 2022 to managing his first game for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 — it was a quick ascendence for Vogt in his post-playing career. A two-time All-Star early in his career with the Athletics, Vogt made a big impression in his first year as a manager. Taking over for the legendary Terry Francona, Vogt led Cleveland to 92 wins and a trip to the ALCS. As a result of his performance, he was named American League Manager of the Year.
17. Carlos Mendoza — New York Mets
Carlos Mendoza was pegged as a future MLB manager for quite some time. His coaching career began in 2009 with the Staten Island Yankees and he went on to manage multiple teams in New York’s organization. Following the ’12 season, Mendoza became a defensive instructor for the Yankees. As he continued to rise through the ranks, Mendoza became the bench coach in ’19. Ahead of the ’24 season, the longtime coach was given his first opportunity to lead an MLB team, and he flourished. Mendoza led the Mets to 89 wins (third-place in the NL East) and an appearance in the NLCS.
16. Matt Quatraro — Kansas City Royals
Formerly the bench coach in Tampa Bay, Matt Quatraro has quickly established himself as one of the better managers in baseball. Quatraro was hired ahead of the 2023 season on the heels of Kansas City’s sixth losing season in a row. Year 1 was not enjoyable as the Royals went 56-106, but Year 2 was a rousing success. Quatraro’s club won 86 games to earn a trip to the postseason and swept the favored Orioles in the ALWC. Quatraro finished second for AL Manager of the Year and could contend for the award again in ’25.
15. Rob Thomson — Philadelphia Phillies
Rob Thomson has been a big success in Philadelphia. After taking over as interim coach in 2022, Thomson led the Phillies to a 65-46 record and the National League Pennant. Philly won 90 games in Thomson’s first full season and went 95-67 last year to win the NL East. Three trips to the postseason to start a tenure is pretty good. A trip to the World Series and being one game away from a second (Philly lost Game 7 of the NLCS in ’23) is even better.
14. Brandon Hyde — Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore’s front office stuck with Brandon Hyde after three miserable seasons and that decision has paid off. Hyde took over the O’s in 2019 and suffered through two 100-loss seasons in his first three years in charge. After going 52-110 in ’21, however, Hyde led a remarkable turnaround. Baltimore won 83 games in ’22 and won the AL East the following season with a 101-61 record. Baltimore won 91 games last year and returned to the postseason again. Now, Hyde must find a way to get his team over the hump — the O’s are 0-5 in the playoffs.
13. Pat Murphy — Milwaukee Brewers
It didn’t take long for Pat Murphy to showcase his talent as a manager. Before joining the Brewers ahead of the 2024 season, Murphy made a name for himself at the collegiate level. After a successful stint at Notre Dame, Murphy led Arizona State to four College World Series appearances and over 600 wins between 1995-2009. Murphy spent a few years with the Padres following his time at ASU and was the interim manager in 2015 following Bud Black’s firing. From ’15 to ’23, Murphy served as Milwaukee’s bench coach. In his first year as the manager, Murphy won NL Manager of the Year after his team won the NL Central with a 93-69 mark.
12. Aaron Boone — New York Yankees
One of the most ridiculed managers in the sport earned some praise last season. Entering 2024, Aaron Boone had led the Yankees to the postseason in six of his seven years. However, Boone remained on the hot seat after failing to make the playoffs in ’23 with an 82-80 record. Boone and the Yankees responded in a big way by winning the American League Pennant in convincing fashion. While it marked Boone’s first trip to the World Series as a manager, he has guided the Yankees to the ALCS three times.
11. Dave Martinez — Washington Nationals
Dave Martinez appears to be comfortable with his job security in Washington, but it is fair to ask how much longer the relationship will last. Martinez guided the Nationals to the World Series in 2019 but has not posted a winning record since that campaign. Of course, Washington lost all of its stars from that team — whether through trades or free agency — and has not been expected to contend. Now, Martinez has a young core that is showing a lot of promise. The team is not going to contend in the NL East this year, but don’t be surprised if Martinez has the Nats fighting for the division within the next two seasons.
10. Bob Melvin — San Francisco Giants
If you win three Manager of the Year awards, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re a top manager. Melvin is known for elevating less-talented teams to successful seasons. Melvin began his managerial career with a 93-win season in Seattle. Four years later, he won his first MoY while leading Arizona to a 90-win campaign. In Oakland, Melvin led the A’s to four 94+ win seasons and won two more MoY awards. Now, the veteran coach is tasked with leading the Giants to the postseason — a difficult task considering arguably three of the top four teams in baseball are in the NL West.
9. Torey Lovullo — Arizona Diamondbacks
If it weren’t for Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the NL West nearly every year, Torey Lovullo would likely be viewed in a different light. Lovullo has been the manager of the Diamondbacks since 2017. That season, Arizona won 93 games and Lovullo took home the NL Manager of the Year award. Lovullo has guided the team to four more winning seasons since his debut — highlighted by Arizona’s shocking run to the NL Pennant in ’23. Lovullo is loved by his players and has a ton of respect around the league, but the common fan likely doesn’t appreciate just how good he is.
8. Brian Snitker — Atlanta Braves
With rumors flying around that Snitker may be managing his last season with the Braves, it is a good time to appreciate what he has achieved. Now in his 10th season with the club, Snitker will have more than 800 wins to his name by the end of the season. Atlanta has reached the postseason seven years in a row and had won the NL East six years in a row before finishing second last season. Of course, Snitker also has a World Series victory to lean on.
7. A.J. Hinch — Detroit Tigers
Hinch will always be knocked down a bit due to his involvement in Houston’s cheating scandal. Easily one of the best managers in baseball, Hinch was suspended for a season following Houston’s ways being exposed. The Tigers didn’t waste any time bringing Hinch back to the dugout following his suspension, however, and he rewarded the franchise with a trip to the ALDS last year — and a win over the Astros in the WC. Nobody doubts Hinch’s ability, but he will need to win again before anybody gives him credit.
6. Alex Cora — Boston Red Sox
Like Hinch, Cora is a confirmed cheater…and one of the best coaches in baseball. Cora was a main cog of Houston’s cheating scandal and was also suspended for a season due to his involvement. Before his suspension, Cora led the Red Sox to 108 wins and a World Series triumph in 2018. After being fired by Boston, he was brought back immediately following the completion of his suspension. Cora is in the same boat as Hinch — nobody doubts his ability to coach, but he will be knocked down a few notches unless he wins again.
5. Kevin Cash — Tampa Bay Rays
When people discuss the top managers in baseball, Kevin Cash is always one of the first names brought to the table. Now in his 11th season with Tampa Bay, Cash is a two-time American League Manager of the Year with over 830 wins to his name. Cash has guided Tampa to two AL East titles, four 90-win seasons, and one AL Pennant. Of his four losing seasons, three were 80-82 finishes. Cash consistently takes less-talented teams into October as a playoff contender. Cash is elite.
4. Craig Counsell — Chicago Cubs
Craig Counsell is widely regarded as one of the top-five managers in baseball. A two-time World Series champ as a player, Counsell spent the first nine years of his managerial career with the Milwaukee Brewers. Over that time, Counsell finished runner-up for NL Manager of the Year four times. His 707 wins rank No. 1 in franchise history. Before making the shocking move to manage the Chicago Cubs, Counsell led Milwaukee to the postseason in five of his last six years with the club. Counsell must now topple his former team in order to return the Cubs to the postseason.
3. Dave Roberts — Los Angeles Dodgers
Ahead of the 2024 season, there were plenty of people who doubted whether Dave Roberts was one of the top managers in baseball — that is no longer the case. Roberts won his second World Series last season and now boasts a career record of 872-517. Roberts’ .628 win percentage ranks third all-time in MLB history. Eight NL West titles, four NL pennants… Roberts is a Hall of Fame manager.
2. Terry Francona — Cincinnati Reds
Terry Francona just couldn’t stay away from the diamond. After announcing his retirement following the 2023 season, Francona returned to baseball following a one-year absence. Francona famously made a name for himself while managing the Red Sox. Between 2004-2011, Francona won two World Series with the Sox and compiled a 744-552 record. In Cleveland, Francona led the franchise to the postseason six times and fell just short of winning the WS in 2016 — losing Game 7 to the Cubs in extra-innings. Francona now has the challenge of leading a talented but unproven Cincinnati team to the postseason.
1. Bruce Bochy — Texas Rangers
While Bochy doesn’t receive the type of acclaim that some of his fellow elite managers do, we cannot deny his status as the top manager in the game. Texas’ manager has over 2,000 wins — the only active manager above that mark — and four World Series wins to his name. Before a brief retirement, Bochy led the San Francisco Giants to three World Series (2010, 2012, 2014). In his first season with the Rangers, in 2023, Bochy led the franchise to its first title. Only five other managers have won four titles.
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