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Every MLB Team's Greatest Manager of All Time for All 30 Franchises. Read every Major League Baseball team's best manager in franchise history.
Every MLB Team's Greatest Manager of All Time - All 30 Franchises
A great manager can shape the legacy of an MLB franchise just as much as a great player. Every franchise in history has a skipper that either changed the culture or brought the organization to a new level of success. Read ahead for our list of the greatest manager in the history of all 30 MLB teams. Will you agree with our selections?
Arizona Diamondbacks - Bob Brenly
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 303-262; World Series Title; NL Pennant
Thanks in part to Brenly’s leadership, the Diamondbacks were the fastest expansion franchise in baseball history to win a World Series title. It remains Arizona’s only World Series win, making him the benchmark for all D-Backs skippers.
Athletics: Connie Mack
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 3,582-3,814; 5 World Series Titles; 9 Pennants; 50-Season Tenure
While Mack’s winning percentage is modest, it’s a reflection of both his longevity (MLB-record 50 seasons) at the helm of the Philadelphia Athletics, as well as his multiple rebuilds of the club. Managing Hall-of-Famers such as Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove, some of Mack’s teams were the most dominant of their era.
Atlanta Braves: Bobby Cox
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 2,149-1,709; World Series Title; 5 Pennants; 15 Playoff Appearances
Under the tutelage of Cox, the Braves transformed from a laughingstock into a powerhouse. Atlanta won an unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles during one stretch of his tenure, which led to five NL Pennants and a World Series title in 1995. Cox was known for his loyalty to his players and his fiery temper, which led to record-setting number of ejections over his career.
Baltimore Orioles: Earl Weaver
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 1,480-1,060; World Series Title; 4 Pennants; Analytical Innovator
Weaver is not only the greatest Orioles manager, but one of the most influential in MLB history. He was an early adopter of platoon advantages and roster matchups, putting him way ahead of his time analytically. Weaver spent his entire managerial career with the Orioles, winning a World Series title and 4 Pennants.
Boston Red Sox: Terry Francona
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 744-552; 2 World Series Titles; 2 Pennants; Ended Boston’s 86-year championship drought
Francona helped the Red Sox to snap their 86-year championship drought and end the most infamous “curse” in baseball history. The most beloved Red Sox manager of the modern era, he helmed both scrappy underdogs – like the 2004 squad that overcame an 0-3 deficit to the Yankees in the ALCS – as well as a dominant rosters – such as the 2007 club that cruised to a World Series title.
Chicago Cubs: Frank Chance
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 768-389; 2 World Series Titles; 4 Pennants; Player/Manager
Joe Maddon likely comes to mind for ending one of the most infamous championship droughts in sports history, but it was Chance who established the Cubs as a powerhouse in the first part of the 1900’s. A player/manager, Chance led the Cubbies to three consecutive World Series appearances between 1906-1908, winning two world titles.
Chicago White Sox: Ozzie Guillen
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 678-617; World Series Title; AL Pennant
Guillen’s fiery style was sometimes controversial, but it’s tough to argue with the results. The Sox ended an 88-year championship draught with Guillen at the helm, bringing a World Series title to the South Side in 2005 following a dominant 11-1 postseason run. A longtime shortstop for the club, Guillen amassed the third-most wins in Sox history during his eight years as manager.
Cincinnati Reds: Sparky Anderson
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 863-586; 2 World Series Titles; 4 Pennants
Sparky led the legendary “Big Red Machine” teams and built a dynasty in Cincinnati during the 1970s. Anderson’s Reds won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975-76 and made four trips to the World Series during his nine-year tenure.
Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 921-757; AL Pennant; 6 Playoff Appearances; Most Managerial Wins in Franchise History
A World Series title eluded Francona during his brilliant 11-year tenure in Cleveland, with the then-Indians falling to the Chicago Cubs in the epic 2016 World Series. Despite the lack of a world title, Francona stabilized the franchise by posting a winning season in nine of his 11 years at the helm with rosters of varying talent levels. He’s the winningest manager in Cleveland history.
Colorado Rockies: Clint Hurdle
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 543-625; NL Pennant; Second-Most Career Wins in Franchise History
It’s pretty telling that no one who has ever managed the Rockies has amassed a winning record during their tenure with the club. So while Hurdle’s losing record as Colorado’s skipper doesn’t look pretty, everything is relative. Known for his clubhouse culture, Hurdle helped develop young stars such as Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki. He also led the Rockies to the 2007 NL Pennant and what remains the lone World Series appearance in Rockies franchise history.
Detroit Tigers: Sparky Anderson
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 1,331-1,248; World Series Title; AL Pennant
After leading the Cincinnati Reds to a pair of World Series titles in the 1970s, Anderson joined the Tigers in 1979. He quickly changed the culture in Motown and managed one of the most dominant teams of the decade to a World Series title in 1984. Sparky managed more games than anyone in Tigers history and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Houston Astros: Dusty Baker
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 320-226; World Series Title; 2 Pennants; Stabilized Team Following Scandal
Dusty Baker took over a talented roster following the infamous sign-stealing scandal that severely tarnished the Astros image. Baker managed to successfully stabilize the team following the fallout, leading Houston to multiple playoff appearances, as well as winning two pennants and a World Series title in 2022.
Kansas City Royals: Ned Yost
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 746-839; World Series Title, 2 Pennants, 22-9 Postseason Record
His overall record is misleading, as Yost went through to rebuilds during his Kansas City tenure. Despite those lean years, Yost was able to maximize talent when it was on the roster. He’s the only Royals manager to guide teams to two World Series appearances and KC won the world title in 2015.
Los Angeles Angels: Mike Scioscia
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 1,640-1,428; World Series Title, AL Pennant, Most Wins in Franchise History
Both the longest-tenured and winningest manager in Angels history, Scioscia led the most sustained era of success since the organization’s inception. His teams won 6 division titles and captured the only World Series title in Angels history in 2002.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Walter Alston
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 2,040-1,613; 4 World Series Titles; 7 Pennants; Hall of Fame
While Tommy Lasorda remains a beloved Dodgers icon, Walter Alston’s quiet, steady leadership helped the Dodgers to earn four World Series titles and seven pennants during his tenure. Alston was the first manager to win a title with the Brooklyn Dodgers and maintained a winning culture after the team moved to Los Angeles. He holds the record for most wins and World Series titles in franchise history.
Miami Marlins: Jack McKeon
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 281-257; World Series Title; Pennant Title; Won World Series at 72 Years Old
Finding a Marlins manager with a winning record is like finding a needle in a haystack. McKeon guided one of the most improbably World Series runs in MLB history with the 2003 Marlins – a team that was below .500 when he took over in May. His experience and calm leadership help a squad full of young talent defeat the New York Yankees in the 2003 World Series.
Milwaukee Brewers: Craig Counsell
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 707-625; 5 Postseason Appearances; Most Wins in Franchise History
Counsell transformed the Brewers into consistent playoff contenders despite often dealing with a modest payroll. His 707 wins and five postseason appearances are both the most in franchise history.
Minnesota Twins: Tom Kelly
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 1,140-1,244; 2 World Series Titles; 2 Pennants
The only manager in Twins history with multiple championships, Kelly led the club to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. He spent 16 years with the Twins and was a consistent presence through multiple rebuilds and small-market constraints.
New York Mets: Davey Johnson
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 595-417; World Series Title; NL Pennant, Most Wins in Franchise History
Known for managing big personalities and turning potential into wins, Johnson set the franchise standard for sustained regular season success in the 1980s. He has the most wins by a manager in franchise history and was at the helm of one of the most talented teams in MLB history… the World Series-winning ’86 Mets.
New York Yankees: Joe McCarthy
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 1,460-867; 7 World Series Titles; 8 Pennants; Established Yankees Dynasty
McCarthy set the standard for “The Yankee Way”, combining sustained success with legendary rosters that achieved unmatched postseason success. “Marse Joe” was a brooding, serious manager who handled superstars such as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig beautifully. The Bronx Bombers won seven of the eight World Series they reached under McCarthy’s tutelage.
Philadelphia Phillies: Charlie Manuel
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 780-636; World Series Title, 2 Pennants; Most Wins in Franchise History
With his players-first style, Manuel oversaw the most successful era in Phillies history. His teams won five consecutive NL East titles, 2 Pennants, and the 2008 World Series. A consistent postseason contender during his nine-year tenure, Manuel holds the Phillies franchise record for managerial wins.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Danny Murtaugh
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 1,115-950; 2 World Series Titles; 2 Pennants; Fielded First All-Black Lineup In MLB History
Murtaugh arguably remains one of the most underrated managers in baseball history. He’s the only manager in franchise history to lead the Pirates to multiple World Series titles, taking Pittsburgh to the promised land in 1960 & 1971.
San Diego Padres: Bruce Bochy
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 951-975; NL Pennant; 4 Postseason Appearances; Manager of the Year Award
Bochy would find his greatest success in San Francisco, but started his managerial career in San Diego, where he turned the Padres from a losing franchise into postseason contenders. Named Manager of the Year in 1996, Bochy would lead the Padres to the NL Pennant and the second World Series appearance in franchise history in 1998. Despite navigating multiple rebuilds during his tenure, he is the winningest manager in Padres history.
San Francisco Giants: John McGraw
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 2,583-1,790; 3 World Series Titles; 10 Pennants; Most Wins in Franchise History; Hall of Fame
One of the toughest decisions on our list, we’ll give the legendary John McGraw the slight edge on Bruce Bochy. McGraw established the New York Giants as a powerhouse in the early part of the 20th century. His Giants clubs won 3 World Series titles and 10 NL Pennants across his iconic 31-year tenure. The franchise’s all-time leader in wins, McGraw was one of the first managers to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Seattle Mariners: Lou Pineilla
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 840-711; 4 Postseason Appearances; 2001 Mariners Tied for Best Record in MLB History
The passionate and intense Pineilla guided the Mariners to their first postseason appearance in franchise history and presided over the most successful era since the organization’s inception. Pineilla was at the helm of a record-setting Mariners squad that won 116 games in the 2001 regular season and reached the ALCS. He is the winningest manager in club history.
St. Louis Cardinals: Tony La Russa
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 1,408-1,182; 2 World Series Titles; 3 Pennants; 9 Postseason Appearances; Hall of Fame
Following his iconic tenure with the Oakland A’s, La Russa took over a losing Cardinals club and transformed the franchise back into a powerhouse. St. Louis made nine postseason appearances with La Russa at the helm, winning 2 World Series titles in three appearances. He is the winningest manager in Cardinals history, has the third-most wins in MLB history, and is a Hall of Famer.
Tampa Bay Rays: Joe Maddon
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 754-705; AL Pennant; 4 Playoff Appearances; Innovative Use of Modern Analytics
Maddon did the impossible during his time in Tampa Bay, turning the perennially basement-dwelling Rays into a consistent playoff contender. Maddon was on the cutting edge and is widely considered the first MLB manager to deploy tactics based on modern analytics. His innovative style completely transformed the culture of the Rays franchise, a club that maintained one of baseball’s lowest payrolls.
Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy
Notable Accomplishments – Record: TBD; Won World Series & Pennant in First Season with Team
Ron Washington is beloved by Rangers fans and led the team to a pair of World Series appearances. However, for all “Wash” did for the franchise, he couldn’t get the Rangers over the hump, something that future Hall-of-Famer Bochy did in his very first season in Texas.
Toronto Blue Jays: Cito Gaston
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 894-837; 2 World Series Titles; 4 Postseason Appearances; First Black Manager to Win a World Series Title
A Toronto icon, Gaston remains the only manager in Blue Jays history to win a World Series title, and he did it twice. The franchise’s all-time leader in wins and games managed, Gaston is the only manager in franchise history to earn induction into the Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence – the club’s highest honor. He also made a cultural impact on the game, becoming the first Black manager to win a World Series title.
Washington Nationals: Felipe Alou
Notable Accomplishments – Record: 691-717; Most Wins in Franchise History; Manager of the Year; First Dominican-Born Manager in MLB History
We close our list with one of the trickiest decisions on it. The shared history of the Expos/Nationals doesn’t produce a clear-cut answer to the greatest manager question. Davey Martinez produced the only World Series title in franchise history, but never had a winning season afterwards. So… we’ll stretch back to the Montreal Expos days and give the slight edge to Alou, the first Dominican-born manager in MLB history and the franchise’s all-time leader in wins.
Alou was a legendary developer of talent, though that talent would often be shipped out of town thanks to Montreal’s shoestring budget. He often overcame those payroll challenges to field competitive teams. His 1994 Expos club is one of baseball’s great “what ifs”, as the squad held the best record in baseball (74-40) before the season was short by a strike.
