NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- 72-year-old Jack McKeon was named National League Manager of the Year Wednesday.
McKeon, who was the frontrunner, led the Florida Marlins to their second world championship in seven years after taking over for the fired Jeff Torborg on May 11. He led the Marlins to a 75-49 record, the best in the major leagues over that period.
McKeon received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 116 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
"I don't need this job," McKeon told the team before it faced Colorado on May 11. "I believe you guys can win. Winning is fun and fun is winning."
McKeon became the first manager to win the award who took over a team during the season, and also became the first Marlin to take the honor.
Dusty Baker, a three-time winner of the award, finished second with 62 points after guiding the Chicago Cubs to the NL Central Division title in his first season with the club.
Atlanta's Bobby Cox was third.
