PHOENIX — Bob Melvin wasn't even the Arizona Diamondbacks' first choice as manager. Three seasons later, he's considered the best in the business.
Arizona's even-keeled skipper was voted National League manager of the year by the Baseball Writers Association of America, an award he said should be shared by the entire D-backs franchise.
"In a team sport, sometimes it can be a little uncomfortable accepting an individual award," Melvin said at a news conference Wednesday at Chase Field, "but I think this award filters up and down through the organization. For the players, the coaching staff and front office, this is an award for the organization."
Under Melvin, the young Diamondbacks won a league-best 90 games en route to the NL West championship, then swept the Chicago Cubs in three games in the division playoffs. The remarkable run ended when Arizona was swept by Colorado in the NL championship series.
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With a starting lineup that included at least three rookies and two second-year players, Arizona won despite being outscored by 20 runs in the regular season. The Diamondbacks became the first team since the 1906 Chicago White Sox to have a league's best record and worst batting average.
They did it with a mix of solid starting pitching, timely hitting and a strong bullpen. The team won a major-league best 32 one-run games. Along the way, the team weathered the loss of Randy Johnson, their best hitter Chad Tracy and three-time Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson because of injuries.
"This was a teaching year for us," Melvin said. "From the start of spring training it was going out there and teaching, and I think as a staff, you couldn't ask for any more than that. Our coaching staff was very influential with this team, and I think it's the hardest working staff that I've ever been around."
Eric Wedge became the first Cleveland manager to win the AL award, chosen by a wide margin after the Indians and Boston tied for the best record in baseball.
A-Rod talking to Yankees
NEW YORK — In a startling turn of events, Alex Rodriguez spoke with the Steinbrenner family and New York Yankees officials Wednesday and told them he wants to stay in pinstripes.
His longtime agent, Scott Boras, wasn't involved in the talks. Yankees officials sounded confident the negotiations could lead to an agreement.
Inside pitch
● The Braves held their first formal talks Wednesday in pursuit of 300-game winner Tom Glavine, hoping to lure him back to Atlanta to finish his career. The two sides have not started talking money yet, but that will come. Glavine turned down a $13 million option to return to the Mets for a sixth year.
● The Red Sox will open the 2008 season in Tokyo against the Athletics on March 25-26.
● Hideki Matsui had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday, and the Yankees outfielder is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
