The National League has had a ton of drama this year. And many of its
playoff races have come right down to the end of the season. In tight
races, a team's manager has that much more value and importance, and
the race this season is no different.

There have been some amazing seasons by both, the Atlanta Braves'
Manager Bobby Cox, who helped guide his team to an amazing 13th
straight division crown, and by St. Louis Cardinals' skipper, Tony
Larussa, who helped lead his team to the best record in baseball in
2004.

Although both Cox and Larussa have led their teams to serious
contention, it is just as important for teams like the Cubs, Giants
and Astros to have a good manager guide them towards wild card
contention. For the Giants it could mean a possible division crown.

Even more impressive is the record of Astros' Phil Garner, who just
two years removed from being fired by the Detroit Tigers, took over
halfway through the season and helped turn the Astros' around. At
this moment they are on the brink of a possible wild card berth.

"Both Cox and Larussa have helped their teams to great seasons, but
you can't forget how much someone like Houston Astros' Manager Phil
Garner has meant to his team after taking over in mid-season." said
Dave Johnson, CEO of
WagerWeb.com "We have taken a lot of wagers on both Garner and Cox
and some surprise money on the Padres' Bruce Bochy."

Even if the Astros, Giants, or the Cubs do not make the postseason,
each of their managers will be in serious contention for this
season's award. Making the playoffs will definitely help a manager's
chances towards this coveted award, but voters will not take lightly,
at least in the Astros' case, the turnaround job that Garner has been
able to accomplish this year after it seemed as if Houston had no
chance of making a run for the postseason.

Almost as impressive has been Braves' skipper, Bobby Cox, who has
just helped his team to what many feel will never be repeated in
modern sports' history, that is, 13 straight division championships.
He has to be the favorite for this season's award in spite of having
a very young team and truly mediocre pitching.

WAGERWEB.COM IS PLEASED TO RELEASE ODDS ON: "WHO WILL WIN THE 2004
MLB NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD?"

MLB 2004 NATIONAL LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Bobby Cox-Atlanta Braves 1:1 Even
Tony Larussa-St Louis Cardinals 2:1 +$200
Phil Garner-Houston Astros 3:1 +$300
Felipe Alou-San Francisco Giants- 5:1 +$500
Jim Tracy-Los Angeles Dodgers 6:1 +$600
Bruce Bochy-San Diego Padres 8:1 +$800
Dusty Baker -Chicago Cubs 10:1 +$1000
Field-Any Manager Not Listed 15:1 +$1500


Note: This wager applies to the 2004 MLB NL Manager of the Year Award
voted on by the BWAA and is in no way associated with any other media
award. The BWAA is an association of baseball writers that votes on
awards such as the MVP, Cy Young and Manager of the Year.



For more Information go to www.wagerweb.com