ORLANDO, Fla. –- Terry Francona managed the Boston Red Sox to five postseason appearances, including World Series championships in 2004 and 2007, in eight years. But he never received a single first-place vote for the American League Manager of the Year award from the Baseball Writers Association of America.

This time around, Francona received a lot more than one first-place vote as he won the award in his first year as Indians manager. Boston’s John Farrell finished second and Oakland’s Bob Melvin finished third.

"There were exceptionally qualified guys and I know a lot of managers had impact on their teams," said GM Chris Antonetti, "but none more so than Tito."

Francona received 112 points (16 first-place votes, 10 second place and two third place). Farrell received 96 points (12 first place, 10 second place and six third place). Melvin, who won last year, received 36 points (two first, five second and 11 third).

In winning the award for the first time, Francona is the first Indians manager to be so honored since Eric Wedge in 2007. Francona led the Indians to 92 victories and a spot in the AL wild-card game. It was the Tribe’s first postseason appearance since Wedge’s team won the AL Central in 2007.

"I really don't feel I won this award over anyone else," said Francona. "This is an organizational award. That's what makes me so happy. I think we did this together all year."

In winning the first wild-card spot, the Indians went 21-6 in September, winning their last 10 games in a tense three-way race with Tampa Bay and Texas. The Indians needed every one of those victories as Texas and Tampa finished one game behind and had to play a tiebreaker game. Tampa won the tiebreaker and beat the Indians, 4-0, in front of a sellout crowd at Progressive Field. Farrell’s Red Sox eliminated the Rays in the AL Division Series.

On Oct. 8, 2012, shortly after a disappointing 94-loss season, GM Antonetti hired Francona as the Indians’ 42nd manager. The son of former Indians outfielder Tito Francona signed a four-year deal.

The Indians were a team of streaks under Francona, but each time they went on a skid, they managed to rebound. Here’s a breakdown of what they did following losing streaks of five or more games.

• After losing five straight from April 14-19, they went 22-9.

• After losing five straight from May 24-28, they won three of their next four.

• After losing eight straight from June 2-10, they went 32-16.

• After losing six straight from Aug. 6-10 they went 9-4.

• After losing five straight Aug. 27-31, they were 21-6 in September.

"I didn't wake up one morning and say, 'I did this good or that good,'" said Francona. "But i was proud of our effort and our resiliency. The thing I'm most proud of is since the first day I've been here, it's been a we attitude."

The Indians’ 92 victories represented a 24-game improvement from 2012, tying the 1986 Indians for the biggest one-year improvement in franchise history.

The Indians won 92 games without a 15-game winner, a 30-save closer or a hitter with 25 homers and 100 RBI. Justin Masterson led the pitching staff with 14 wins. Chris Perez saved 25 games, while Nick Swisher led the team with 22 homers and Jason Kipnis did the same with 84 RBI.

"We did this the right way," said Francona. "When we clinched on the final game of the season in Minnesota, those hugs were real."

When asked why this team was able to respond to adversity so well, Francona said, "We had great veteran leadership from Jason Giambi and Nick Swisher's constant enthusiasm. Michael Bourn was great even though he was beat up. We had Yan Gomes emerge.

'We had so many contributions from all over the map. That's why we won as many games as we did."

Farrell and Francona are friends. Farrell, Francona's former pitching coach in Boston, guided the Red Sox from a last place finish in the AL East in 2012 to a division title and a World Series championship this year. BBWAA voting, however, is based strictly on the regular season.

"I called John this morning," said Francona. "I told him if someone told us back in 1988 when we were teammates on the Indians that we would be finalists for something like this, we would have laughed ourselves right out of the room.

"When organizations do well, things like this happen. John and the Red Sox did the ultimate this year. I'm sure he wouldn't change what they did this year in exchange for this."

Asked if he was going to celebrate the moment, Francona said, "I've got a load of laundry in the washer. Tomorrow I'll get up, go for a swim and go golfing. The thing I'll celebrate is the whole year because I got to live it."