Tight Race for LVBP Manager of the Year Heats Up After Wild Card Finish
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The battle for the “Chico” Carrasquel Award, recognizing the LVBP’s Manager of the Year, is poised to be a compelling contest following the conclusion of the 2025-2026 regular season on Tuesday, December 30. The Caribes de Anzoátegui’s victory in the second game of the wild card series against the Tigres de Aragua has intensified the competition, with five teams now vying for championship glory in the Round Robin.
The Round Robin stage has narrowed the field to four leading candidates: César Isturiz (Cardinals), Henry Blanco (Braves), Yadier Molina (Magallanes), and Asdrúbal Cabrera (Caribes). While past performance is no guarantee of future success, the accomplishments of these managers have positioned them as frontrunners, though the possibility of Lipso Nava of the Águilas del Zulia repeating his success remains a factor.
Cardinals’ Isturiz Capitalizes on Second-Half Surge
Despite a challenging start, César Isturiz orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Lara Cardinals. The team dominated the second half of the season, finishing in first place with a 30-26 record. This late-season surge provides a strong argument for Isturiz’s candidacy, potentially allowing him to emulate Jose Moreno, the last Cardinals manager to claim the award.
Molina’s Magallanes Experience a Dramatic Revival
The return of Yadier Molina to the Navegantes del Magallanes has been nothing short of transformative. Taking over a team previously languishing at the bottom of the standings, Molina guided them to a 29-27 regular season record, punctuated by a strong finish – winning seven of their last ten games, including a three-game winning streak. “The Puerto Rican took over the reins of the electric team at the bottom of the table and led a team that is now looking for great things,” a source close to the league stated.
Cabrera Leads Caribes Back to Prominence
Asdrúbal Cabrera’s debut season as manager of the Caribes de Anzoátegui has been a resounding success. He led the team to their first Round Robin appearance since 2021, securing 28 wins out of 56 games. The vinotinto also overcame the Tigres de Aragua in an extra series to secure their place in the postseason.
Blanco’s Braves Secure Early Postseason Berth
The Margarita Braves, under the leadership of Henry Blanco, were the first team to clinch a playoff spot. Despite a late-season slump that saw them lose six consecutive games, Blanco’s team demonstrated resilience and consistency throughout the year. Notably, Blanco has previously won the award, achieving the feat in the 2015-2016 season while managing the island team.
Last season, Lipso Nava of the Águilas del Zulia set a high benchmark, receiving 37 first-place votes and 13 second-place votes for a total of 124 points, surpassing even Henry Blanco in the voting. The league will be watching closely to see if any of this year’s contenders can match his impressive performance.
The coming weeks promise a thrilling competition, not only on the field but also in the race for the prestigious “Chico” Carrasquel Award. The manager who can guide their team to championship victory will undoubtedly have a strong claim to the title of LVBP Manager of the Year.
