JTA – San Francisco Giants Jewish manager Gabe Kapler was named National League Manager of the Year on Tuesday.
In his second year at the helm of the Giants, Kapler guided a team with low expectations to a franchise-record and league-leading 107 in the regular season entering 2021.
In the division series of the playoffs, San Francisco lost to their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kapler’s award is based on the team’s regular season performance.
Kapler took 28 out of 30 first places, beating Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers and Mike Schildt (formerly) of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kapler said after winning the award, “My goal is to clearly support the players and what their goals are, to create an environment that is conducive to the growth and development of the players and also for the staff members to grow and develop.” “
The 46-year-old Hollywood, California native has a Jewish tattoo on each leg: a Jewish star on his left leg and “Never Again” — a reference to the Holocaust — on his right leg.
Kapler played for six teams during his 12-year major league career, primarily as a role player and backup outfielder. After retiring in 2010, Kapler played for and coached Team Israel at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
