2026 Manager of the Year is Leading a Juggernaut

MANAGER OF THE YEAR:  Nick Cappiello- New York Express

Nick has been selected the “Walt Conry” Manager of the Year award after leading his New York Express team to one of the most impressive seasons in Gold Division history.  Keep in mind, this team has only been in existence a few years and they are already sitting atop the totem pole as the #1 ranked Gold Division team in the nation. 

Nick registered his team for the entire Triple Crown Series and the results were jaw dropping.  In the ECC his team finished 2nd to Connecticut Lawmen who are now a Majors team.  That made the Express the highest finishing Gold team at the ECC.  Next, the Express fly across the nation where they won the WCC in dramatic fashion.  Not only did Nick manage the team, he was declared the WCC MVP!   To put things in perspective NO EAST TEAM HAS WON A TOURNAMENT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SINCE 2005 (Ohio Lawmen winning WSI in Palm Springs, Ca.).  The Express were the ONLY East to come to California so they shouldered the load of the entire EC circuit and like an invading army, conquered California, ending a 21-year dry spell for EC teams. 

All that is left for Nick is the crown jewel of the Triple Crown Series, World Series XXI.  Being the top seeded team coming into Worlds, the championship is now within striking distance and under Nick’s leadership the team is ready to launch. 

For his accomplishments, Nick will be recognized on the field during the World Series Opening Ceremony.