Expansion Era Ballot: Managers

Basbeall's Expansion Era ballot was announced on Monday, putting 12 men (six players, four managers, and two executives) from the post-1973 era up for induction in baseball's Hall of Fame. First, I'll look at the managers:

Bobby Cox YES
A no-brainer. The Atlanta Braves' dynasty won 14 consecutive division titles, five pennants and the 1995 World Series title in Cox's 21 seasons at the helm. He ranks fourth all-time in managerial wins.

Tony LaRussa YES
Managed for 33 years, winning more games than any manager not named Connie Mack or John McGraw. LaRussa skippered the Oakland A's mini-dynasty of the late-80s, then presided over some awesome Cardinals' squads in the new millenium. In all his teams won six pennants and three World Series, the last of which came in 2011--his final season in the dugout. LaRussa also had a major impact on the game, revolutionizing how managers use their bullpens.

Billy Martin NO
As a player and as a manager, Martin falls short of the Hall. His combative nature and quick-temper quickly wore out its welcome wherever he went, often turning his players against him. He never stayed long at any one place, with George Steinbrenner famously firing him five times. Even so, he still managed to be in charge of some pretty successful teams, such as the 1969 Twins and (more famously) the 1976-'77 Yankees. Only twice in his 18 years did a team have a losing record under his watch. But he was his own worst enemy and proved too intense to build any sort of consistency. An unforgettable personality who will always be linked to Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Casey Stengel, Steinbrenner, and Reggie Jackson.

Joe Torre YES
Never mind that as a player, Torre is a borderline Hall candidate. Throw in his distinguished 29-year managerial career in which he guided the Yankees to a dozen consecutive postseason appearances and won more games than all but four skippers in big league history, and he's a slam dunk.