The National League Manager of the Year was announced on Wednesday by the Baseball Writers Association and Padres’ manager Bud Black just edged out Reds’ skipper Dusty Baker in the voting.

Black finished one point ahead of the Baker. Black received 16 first-place votes, seven seconds and three thirds for 104 points. Baker garnered 13 first-place votes, 12 seconds and two thirds for 103 points.

The Giants' Bruce Bochy, the Braves' Bobby Cox and the Phillies' Charlie Manuel, the 3-4-5 finishers, each received a first-place vote.

Baker led the Reds to a 91-71 season en route to the N.L. Central title and the team’s first playoff appearance since 1995. Most experts pegged the Reds to finish in the bottom couple of spots inside the division, but they managed to win it by five games. Baker won the award in 1990, 1997 and 2000.

Black, who played for Baker when he managed the Giants, led the Padres to a second-place finish in the N.L. West. His 15-game turnaround was two better than Baker’s, but Cincinnati made the playoffs and won one more game.  Throw in the Padres blowing a 6.5 game lead, including a 10-game losing streak, starting in late August and did not make the playoffs and it starts looking like the wrong manager won the award.

Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire was voted AL Manager of the Year, placing ahead of Texas' Ron Washington and Tampa Bay's Joe Maddon.

MLB cincinnati reds, dusty baker, san diego padres, bud black, nl manager of year, 2010 offseason awards