No trick candidates this time (like with Mazzilli in the other poll) ... but BOY was I tempted to add Jerry Narron to this list!

I'm shocked with how the voting is going so far -- I agree that Cox "should" win, but he's been doing it for so long, I think he "will" be passed over for Robinson.

You can make the case for Robinson. The Nats are far better than I thought they'd be (and their mid-season acquisitions have had very little to do with their record).

It's awfully hard to differentiate between who "will" win and who "should" win, because in most cases, I can't see a way that any sane voter would pick anyone other than the person I think "should" win. Of course, insanity has never stopped voters before (see: 2004 NL Cy Young vote).

Anyway, I voted for Cox here.

So since I have identified myself as a Robinson voter, you consider me to be an insane voter?

Bobby Cox. Manager of the decade? Yes. Manager of the Year? No.

The Atlanta Braves have been great under Bobby Cox, period. However, when I see such a noticeable improvement in a span of one year as I have with the Nationals, I have to wonder how. The team is just about the same, but something changed. I look at the manager for that change.

I think that Bobby Cox has conditioned his team so well that the difference between last year and this year is none. But when you look at what Frank Robinson had to work with and made it work, you've got to tip your cap.

The team is just about the same, but something changed. I look at the manager for that change.

Good argument, but they have the SAME manager as last year. (Keep in mind, I voted for Robby, so I'm just playing devil's advocate here.) What's changed for the Nats is ... their home city. (Sorry.)

Yea, I tried to address that. When you isolate a team of players for a number of years, I don't think you'll ever see much of a change. Whereas, while the Nats have the same manager, it's the manager evolving with the team that makes that change.

Not to mention, when you manage in your hometown, there's a little more incentive to do better.

And right there, I tied in both ideas together to justify the vote. :)

Frank Robinson is obviously not an insane choice. The Nats have been much better than anyone expected, or Robby deserves some of the credit. I don't think he will win, but one never knows.

Bobby Cox has done a fine job of integrating young talent into the Braves lineup. He has done this before, to our delight, in the early 80s. He would make a fine choice as well.

I do think you also have to give LaRussa some credit. Yes, the Cards are talented, but the pitching staff has been much better than any reasonable expectation.

Correction:
The Nats have been much better than expected, and Robinson deserves some of the credit.

Back to the Second Cup for a second cup.