Vindication

Davey Johnson has won almost everywhere he's managed: his 1986 Mets won the World Series; his Cincinnati Reds twice finished atop the NL Central; he skippered the Orioles to their final divisional title of the 20th century. Though he didn't reach the post-season with the Dodgers, he still put together an impressive resume... which wasn't enough to get him back to the majors between 2000 and 2010. Reported friction with owners in Cincinnati and Baltimore didn't help. Johnson finally got "the call" from the Washington Nationals during 2011. Taking over a team brimming with good prospects (like his mid-'80s Mets), they ruled the NL East in 2012, holding off the Braves and leaving the aging 5-time defending champ Phillies in the dust.
Despite a heartbreaking final-game loss to the Cardinals in the Division Series, Johnson was the logical winner for Manager of the Year -- pulling 23 of the 28 first-place votes.
With a full season of cornerstone players Stephen Strasburg and Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper, Johnson could be looking forward to an even more impressive 2013.

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