Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, November 16, 2011

It was a great first season for Michigan State product Kirk Gibson as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The former two-sport Spartan star guided Arizona to a worst-to-first finish this season, and he was rewarded for his efforts by being named the NL Manager of the Year on Wednesday. Gibson received 28 of the 32 first-place votes. Read the full story on ESPN.com.

Under Gibson, the Diamondbacks made terrific improvements, particularly in the bullpen, and went 94-68 this season after going 65-97 in 2010.