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Liam O'Leary

Liam O'Leary

Gabe Kapler Has Already Won NL MOTY

In 2021 the San Francisco Giants have been the best team in MLB and all you can do is admire the Brilliance of Gabe Kapler and in how short of time he has turned the team into a 1st place team.

At the end of the 2019 Regular Season, Giants Veteran coach Bruce Bochy retired after a 12-year coaching career and 3 World Series Titles. Though this left the big question, who will be the coach for next year. Luckily this wouldn’t be a problem for the Giants as they quickly signed Former Phillies coach Gabe Kapler. Gabe Kapler’s stent with the Phillies wasn’t the most impressive as the team never reached playoffs in the 3 years he had coached, so this new coaching job was his chance to prove that he can be successful as a manager.

Before Kapler’s first season with the Giants tragedy struck as the Covid-19 virus struck, ending Spring Training early and for a bit the Regular Season. But Kapler got his chance as the 2020 season was back on but only a 60 game season. With this shortened season, it wasn’t the greatest point to start his contract. So Kapler tried to make the best of it trying out different things with the team, and seeing what he can do for the 2020 season and next year. At the end of the season, the Giants ended with a 29-31 record only a half a game out of a Wild Card Spot. Wasn’t the greatest record but promising for next year. 

After the 2020 Regular Season, he knew what he needed to do starting with the rotation adding key players like Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, and Alex Wood. With an improved pitching rotation, depth was also added to the Giants such as Curt Casali and Tommy La Stella. After a clean-up of the roster, it was time for the 2021 season and what they needed to do was win, and win they did. The giants quickly became the best team in the NL West and the league. Throughout the 1st half, the Giants absolutely dominated with their rotation becoming elite lead by Cy Young contender Kevin Gausman, and the team leading the league not just in wins but also home runs absolutely crushing the ball. Even now in the second half the Giants still have the best record in baseball, with the newly acquired Kris Bryant.

From a 60 game season to being the best team in baseball, Gabe Kapler completely turned around the Giants and in only a short amount of time, for these circumstances and outcomes to happen are completely amazing and is the reason why and how Gabe Kapler will win the NL Manager of the Year.

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