The Chicago Cubs made some huge strides forward this season, and one of the biggest architects of that success was rewarded on Tuesday as Joe Maddon was named the National League Manager of the Year. 

Maddon, who guided the Cubs to a 97-65 record and a berth in the NLCS in his first year at the helm, beat out New York Mets skipper Terry Collins and St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny for the award. 

The victory is Maddon's third as a manager, following two that he won while he was in charge of the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Maddon ended up receiving 18 of the 30 first place votes for the award, and he also got 11 second place votes. He was the only manager in the National League to appear on all 30 ballots cast. 

With his victory, Maddon becomes the first Cubs manager to win the award since Lou Piniella was awarded the prize in the 2008 season. 

The Cubs racked up 97 victories in the 2015 season, their highest total of wins since they won an identical number in the 2008 season. Their record improved by 24 games overall from the 2014 season, and several players stepped up their games as a result of Maddon's tutelage, including Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. 

The Cubs may end up grabbing a third award on Wednesday night, as Jake Arrieta is one of the three finalsts for the National League Cy Young Award.