Indians manager Terry Francona and Brewers skipper Craig Counsell have been named Sporting News' 2017 managers of the year, as selected by a panel of 19 MLB managers.

Francona, who also received the award in 2016, is just the third manager to win in consecutive seasons, joining Billy Southworth of the Cardinals (1941-1942) and Bobby Cox of the Braves (2002-2005). It is the first win for Counsell. Sporting News has given Manager of the Year awards since 1936.

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Francona, in his fifth year with Cleveland, led the defending AL champion Indians to 102 wins, a record 22-game winning streak in the second half, and a second straight AL Central title. Meanwhile, Counsell, in his third year with Milwaukee, kept the surprising Brewers in the playoff hunt until the end, finishing with an impressive 86 wins.

Those who play for both men tout their abilities to relate to players and keep the team motivated during the long MLB season.

“One of the first things that you understand about Tito when you first meet him is that he truly cares about everyone in here,” Indians closer Cody Allen told SN this season. “He’s going to absolutely listen to what you have to say.”

For Francona, relating to players means also spending time with them. That includes playing Cribbage in the clubhouse to help keep things loose.

“I’ve never been on another team where the manager is playing card games with players, but it’s not a fluke,” Indians reliever Andrew Miller told SN. “The way he does it works. It’s a way for him to keep his finger on the pulse of the team.”

Meanwhile, Counsell's communication skills and ability to inspire confidence have helped earn the respect of players, many of whom enjoyed breakout campaigns under his leadership this past season.

“He’s a player’s manager. If you come in and do what you’re supposed to do, you’re not gonna have any issues," said Brewers slugger Travis Shaw, who was among those who enjoyed a resurgence in 2017. "It’s fun to play for a guy like that.”

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Counsell's approach can likely be attributed to a 16-year big-league career that taught him to understand the ebbs and flows of a season, his players said.

“He knows when the team needs a little bit of a drive and he knows when to just let guys play,” starting pitcher Zach Davies told SN. “He knows when guys are on a roll. He knows when to just see the game and play on.”

Said veteran catcher Stephen Vogt: “The team a lot of times is a reflection of the manager. And so everybody here carries themselves professionally, come ready to play every day. And that’s the mark of playing for a good manager.”

Francona's second win gives Cleveland its fourth in the category. Mike Hargrove (1995) and Eric Wedge (2007) were the previous winners.

Counsell is the second Brewers manager to win the award, following George Bamberger in 1978.

VOTING RESULTS

American League (voting by AL managers)

1. Terry Francona, Indians: 7

2. Joe Girardi, Yankees: 2

3. Paul Molitor, Twins: 1

National League (voting by NL managers)

1. Craig Counsell, Brewers: 5

2. Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks: 2

3. Dave Roberts, Dodgers: 1; Bud Black, Rockies: 1

THIS WEEK’S SN AWARD SCHEDULE

Monday: Rookies of the Year (AL and NL)

Tuesday: Comeback Players of the Year (AL and NL) and Managers of the Year (AL and NL)

Wednesday: AL All-Star Team | NL All-Star Team

Thursday: MLB Player of the Year