Replacing Terry Francona as the Cleveland Guardians manager was not going to be an easy task.

Stephen Vogt, a former big-league catcher, did an amazing job and was rewarded with the American League Manager of the Year award.

Vogt was playing ball just two years ago, so the Guardians job was his first experience as manager.

He led Cleveland to a 92-69 record and the Central Division championship. The Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers in the playoffs before losing the AL Championship Series to the New York Yankees.

Vogt’s biggest challenge was juggling the starting pitchers after Shane Bieber was lost to a season-ending injury in April. Two other starters, Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie, were sent to the minors.

Vogt allowed the bullpen to do the heavy lifting, with rookie Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Emmanuel Clase shutting down opponents in the late innings.

Kansas City’s Matt Quatraro finished second in the voting, with Detroit’s A.J. Hinch finishing third.

ANOTHER ROOKIE WINNER

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy won the National League Manager of the Year award, also in his rookie year as a skipper.

The Brewers hired Murphy after Craig Counsell left to run the Chicago Cubs.

Murphy’s Brewers finished 10 games better than the Cubbies and won the NL Central Division with a 93-69 record.

San Diego’s Mike Shildt finished second in the voting, and the New York Mets’ Carlos Mendoza placed third.

The Cy Young Award winners will be announced on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. Eastern.