The 2026 Major League Baseball campaign wrapped with the Milwaukee Brewers capturing the Commissioner’s Trophy, but the spotlight quickly shifted to November’s flurry of honors. Over the next two weeks, the league will unveil its Platinum Glove, Silver Slugger and, most notably, the Manager of the Year awards. Amid the festivities, Brewers skipper Pat Murphy stands alone with a chance to rewrite the record books.
Pat Murphy’s bid for an unprecedented third Manager of the Year honor
Murphy entered his third season at the helm of a roster once projected to win merely 80-85 games. Defying those forecasts, he guided Milwaukee to a league-best 103 victories in the regular season and an additional 11 postseason wins, a feat that far exceeds the criteria typically considered by voters. His résumé already includes back-to-back Manager of the Year trophies from 2024 and 2025, making him the only active coach with consecutive honors.
What separates Murphy from his peers is his willingness to make bold in-game adjustments—benching underperforming players, pulling pitchers mid-at-bat, and reshuffling the rotation when injuries sidelined stars like Quinn Priester and Brandon Woodruff. This hands-on approach has turned a young, injury-hit squad into a dominant force, and many analysts argue that voter fatigue is the sole obstacle to a historic third award on November 10.
Variety’s Writers’ Room: Awards Season Edition gathers TV’s elite
On November 11, Los Angeles will host Variety’s annual “A Night in the Writers’ Room” Awards Season Edition. The invite-only gathering assembles the creative minds behind the year’s most buzzed-about drama, comedy and limited series. Before the panels, a cocktail reception offers industry voters a chance to mingle with the talent shaping the season’s narrative landscape.
The comedy session, moderated by executive TV editor Michael Schneider, features Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow of “The Comeback,” Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw from “Adults,” showrunner Matt Miller of “Ride or Die,” and Michael Schur on “DIG.” Drama is led by Angelique Jackson and showcases Katori Hall’s “P-Valley,” Brad Caleb Kane’s “Crystal Lake,” and Malcolm Spellman’s “The Drop: A Snowfall Saga,” among others. The limited-series panel, overseen by senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay, includes Nick Antosca’s “Cape Fear,” Silka Luisa’s “Blade Runner 2099,” and Shawn Ryan with Eileen Myers on “American Hostage.” Supporting partners span FX Networks to HBO MAX, underscoring the event’s industry weight.
Hollywood Music in Media Awards unveil blockbuster-level nominees
The 17th annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMAs) will crown winners on November 18 at Avalon Hollywood. Nominations span feature films, independent projects, documentaries and animation, with three billion-dollar titles—Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey and Michael—leading the pack. Heavy-weight composers such as John Williams, Ludwig Göransson, Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman are in contention, alongside chart-topping songwriters including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Charli XCX.
Highlights include the song “When I’m Home” from The Odyssey (James Blake, Travis Scott, Ludwig Göransson, Christopher Nolan) and the animated score category where Randy Newman returns for “Toy Story 5.” Past HMMA winner Ryan Coogler’s Sinners captured three trophies last year, setting a high bar for this season’s contenders. The diverse slate reflects the growing synergy between blockbuster cinema and contemporary music, promising a night of memorable performances and industry recognition.
