New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim skipper Mike Scioscia was selected as the American League Manager of the Year on Wednesday, as chosen by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy was adorned with a similar honor in the National League after guiding his team to 74 wins and a playoff appearance, having taken over for the fired Clint Hurdle at the end of May when the team was 10 games under .500.

Tracy's win marked only the second time a manager hired in mid-season was honored. He joins Jack McKeon, the 2003 winner with the Florida Marlins.

Scioscia, who also won this award in 2002, finished first on 15 of 28 ballots cast by two writers in each league city. He also placed second on 10 and third on another for a total of 106 points based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system.

"This award is a true honor and a testament to the perseverance of our players and staff," said Scioscia. "As a team, we overcame several obstacles to put together a successful season in 2009. On behalf of the Angel family, I would like to thank the BBWAA for this award."

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire received six first-place votes and finished second with 72 points, while Joe Girardi of the New York Yankees, finished third with 34 points

This was Gardenhire's fifth runner-up finish.

Scioscia may have turned in the best managerial job of his career this season, as his team overcame a ton of injuries to his starting staff early on, including the tragic death of promising righty Nick Adenhart, while having to use 14 different starting pitchers throughout the season.

Still, though, the Angels managed to win 97 games and advance past the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS before bowing out in six games in the ALCS to the eventual World Series champion New York Yankees.

Scioscia is also the first manager in MLB history to take his team to the postseason six times in his first 10 years with the club.

Tracy, meanwhile, placed first on 29-of-31 ballots and second on two others for 151 points. St. Louis' Tony La Russa received two first place votes and finished second with 55 points, while Los Angeles' Joe Torre picked up the other first place vote and finished a distant third with 33 points.

Colorado was 18-28 when Tracy took over on May 29 and went 74-42 with him at the helm, advancing to the postseason for the second time in three years after a World Series berth in 2007.

The Rockies' 92 wins this season were a franchise high.

Tracy, who signed a three-year contract extension with the Rockies on Wednesday, joins his current hitting coach, Don Baylor, as the only Colorado managers to receive this honor.

Colorado was an NL-best 45-29 in the second half, and, since June 4, its 72-38 mark was second to only the Yankees (72-37).

San Francisco's Bruce Bochy (18 points), Atlanta's Bobby Cox (15 points), Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel (10 points), Florida's Fredi Gonzalez (four points) and San Diego's Bud Black (two points) rounded out the voting in the National League.

Also receiving first-place votes in the American League were Seattle's Don Wakamatsu (19 points) and Texas' Ron Washington (19 points), who tied for fourth, while Jim Leyland completed the voting with two points.