After one of the most successful years since 1989, the O's could welcome Manager Buck Showalter back to the diamond for three more years. A previous contract totaling $1.5 million may have set him in the middle of the pack when it came to ranked-income MLB managers, but one can't ignore the numbers on the scoreboard instead of those in the bank. Ranked second in the American League East Division, only second to the Yankees, the birds snatched the 2012 wild-card win and found themselves in the running for the world series for the first time since '97.
As a manager, Showalter's style and success is hard to come by. Nearly closing in on his third AL Manager of the Year award in 2012 (losing only by 8 points to Oakland A's manager, Al Melvin) Showalter has built a base for more great seasons to follow- Returning young infielder Manny Machado and starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez. The Orioles roster is also still looking for another possible outfielder or pitcher with a reputable batting average.
Aside from being a knowledgeable man with impeccable guidance for his own team, Showalter has a side to him that makes him near-lovable by players and fans alike. Too many a time, we've seen men grow vulnerable and criticized by the public should they wear an eternal smile or show emotion to their counterparts, especially in the world of sports. Showalter dares to keep high-spirits and good comradery among teammates while also remaining a fierce competitor and fearless leader.
Short Stop JJ Hardy once stated, "I think the thing with Buck is he manages the team well. [He's] very personable with everybody, easy to talk to. He keeps it loose."
I remember reading this quote in a story by Brittany Ghiroli that captured the manager stating, "You always learn from things -- some of it positive some negatively." Showalter was responding to a question surrounding a possible change in his managerial style from previous games. He continued..."But if it were that easy, everybody would be doing it. Every situation calls for a different approach, and I pride myself on being flexible with the needs of each club and each organization. You adjust to them; you don't ask them to adjust to you."
While the agreement to extend his contract isn't final, a yay-or-nay could be confirmed by the end of this week- no later than FanFest occurring Jan. 19th. If it were up to me, I'd recommend confirming yay- unfinished business could lead to complete success for this up-and-coming Baltimore power-house leader. Could it mean tighter tension between my Yankees and those Baltimore roots? We'll just have to wait and see.
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