John Schneider, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, has been named a finalist for the American League Manager of the Year award. This recognition comes after he led the team from last place to first in the highly competitive American League East. Schneider's ability to foster a strong clubhouse culture and enhance communication among players has been pivotal to the team's success.

The announcement of Schneider as a finalist occurred just two days after the Blue Jays lost Game 7 of the World Series. The voting for the award was conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America. If he wins, Schneider would become only the second manager in Blue Jays history to receive this honor, following Bobby Cox, who won in 1985.

In the 2025 season, Schneider's leadership contributed to a remarkable turnaround for the Blue Jays, who finished with 94 wins, a significant improvement from the previous season's 74 wins. This turnaround was crucial in preventing potential turmoil within the franchise. Schneider emphasized the importance of veteran leadership, allowing players to take charge while he guided the team.

As the season progressed, Schneider's management style became increasingly effective. He concluded the season with 303 career wins, placing him fourth on the all-time list for Blue Jays managers. He is on track to surpass Bobby Cox's 355 wins in the upcoming season. Cito Gaston holds the record with 894 wins.

In an interview, Schneider reflected on his achievements, stating, "You look at the guys who are lucky enough to have a job like this and guys who are ahead of you and who you may have passed. It comes down to being consistent. I think I’ve been lucky to have good teams, competitive teams that are in this window that we’re in right now. But it’s nice to kind of take a step back and say, ‘OK, I’m doing all right.’"

Schneider is competing for the award against Stephen Vogt of the Cleveland Guardians, the 2024 winner, and Dan Wilson of the Seattle Mariners. It is important to note that the voting does not consider postseason performance, as the deadline for submissions was before the playoffs began. The winners of the awards will be announced on November 11.