Skip Schumaker's lone accolade is hardly ringing endorsement to become Reds manager

The Cincinnati Reds relieved David Bell of his managerial duties on Sunday night. While the timing itself was odd, a number of fans throughout Reds Country were lauding the decision, with a number of the Cincinnati faithful referring to it as long overdue.

With Bell now looking for employment elsewhere, the search has begun for a new voice in the Reds' clubhouse. Freddie Benavides will take over as the interim manager for the remainder of the 2024 season, but the Reds will likely be looking outside the organization for their new skipper.

Skip Schumaker has already emerged as one of the Reds' top candidates. A former player, Schumaker spent his final two Major League seasons in Cincinnati and has been the Miami Marlins' manager for the past two seasons. The 44-year-old took the Marlins to the playoffs in 2023 and won the NL Manager of the Year Award last season.

Reds' new managerial target Skip Schumaker won the 2023 NL Manager of the Year Award

However, a recent trend among NL Manager of the Year Award-winners should be enough for the Reds to think twice before considering Schumaker for the position. Since 2020, the winner of the award hasn't lasted more than two seasons after taking home the trophy.

Another Marlins' manager, Don Mattingly won the NL Manager of the Year Award in 2020 after taking Miami to the postseason with a 31-29 record during the pandemic-shortened season. Mattingly's ball clubs went a combined 136-188 the following two seasons before he was replaced by Schumaker.

In 2021, San Francisco Giants skipper Gabe Kapler took his team to a 107-55 record and won the NL West. The Giants lost their opening series, but Kapler still won the NL Manager of the Year Award. Kapler couldn't get San Francisco over .500 the following two seasons, and was replaced by Bob Melvin this past offseason.

In 2022, Buck Showalter of the New York Mets won his fourth Manager of the Year Award after posting a 101-win season in Queens. The Mets were defeated by the San Diego Padres during the playoffs that year, and after going 75-87 in 2023, Showalter was shown the door.

Schumaker will be the latest NL Manager of the Year Award winner to depart from his previous place of employment once the 2024 season comes to a close. While Schumaker is not the worst candidate for the job, winning an award at season's end is hardly the only reason the Reds' front office and fanbase should use when vetting their new manager.

Schumaker is well on his way to losing over 100 games this season, and that's certainly not the best achievement to attach to your resumé.

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