Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider's remarkable 2025 season, which saw him guide the team from the bottom of the division to within two outs of a World Series championship, earned him a second-place finish in the American League Manager of the Year voting announced Tuesday.
The 45-year-old New Jersey native received significant recognition for his work, collecting 10 first-place votes and 91 total points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. However, he ultimately fell short to Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who secured 17 first-place votes and 113 points. Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson finished a distant third with 50 points.
The Journey to Recognition
Schneider's path to this recognition spans nearly two decades with the Blue Jays organization. He first joined as a catcher selected in the 13th round of the 2002 draft, playing 311 games over six seasons in the minor leagues before transitioning to coaching in 2008.
His progression through the coaching ranks included successful stops with Jays affiliates in Dunedin, Lansing, Vancouver and New Hampshire before taking over as Toronto's manager on July 13, 2022, following the firing of Charlie Montoyo.
Reflecting on his evolution, Schneider acknowledged the challenges he faced early in his managerial career. "I probably wasn't ready for it, whether it was interim or first year," Schneider said during the Jays' playoff run. "I think the guy right now is the guy everyone was waiting for, myself included."
A Transformational Season
The 2025 campaign represented a dramatic turnaround for the Blue Jays under Schneider's leadership. After finishing in last place the previous season, Toronto surged to 94 wins and first place in the competitive American League East, setting up their captivating postseason run that nearly ended with a World Series victory.
Schneider's growth in his third full season was evident in his improved in-game management and his ability to handle diverse personalities both in the clubhouse and front office. This evolution was recognized by voters, though the postseason success occurred after voting had concluded.
The voting process, conducted by the BBWAA, involves two writers from each American League city submitting ballots before the first pitch of the postseason, meaning Toronto's World Series run didn't factor into the Manager of the Year decision.
The Case for Schneider
Taking any team from last to first in any division automatically makes a manager a front-runner for such honours. Accomplishing this feat in the AL East, with its intense competition and roster challenges, only strengthened Schneider's credentials.
His runner-up finish represents the highest placement for a Blue Jays manager since Cito Gaston finished second in 1989. Only Bobby Cox in 1985 has won the award while managing Toronto.
Vogt, who won the award in 2024, deserved credit for guiding Cleveland's remarkable late-season surge to first place in the Central Division, overcoming a deficit that reached 15.5 games at one point and stood at 11 games in early September.
Despite not winning the ultimate recognition, Schneider expressed gratitude for the journey and the opportunity to lead the organization he's called home for his entire professional career. "Managing the rookie ball Gulf Coast League team and playing 10:30 games on a Saturday at the Dunedin training complex is a far cry from this," Schneider reflected during the World Series. "But you think about the work that you've done, the people you've met, adjustments you've made - this was always the end goal with this organization."
The authentic connection Schneider built with his players, particularly those like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whom he's known since their minor league days, became a hallmark of the 2025 Blue Jays' tight-knit clubhouse culture that propelled their unexpected success.
