When my Orioles hired William Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter III to be manager on July 29, 2010 it was a pivotal and landmark day in the great franchise. Even though there weren't clear signs in the standings yet, team President Andy MacPhail's master building plan was in full effect as he was building this franchise from the bottom, back to the top. His next missing piece was to bring on a proven manager, who would help the young O's take the next step in their development. When the O's officially introduced Buck as manager, and when he first stepped into the dugout as manager, the O's were a dismal and MLB-worst, 32-73. The possibility of an all-time low franchise record was within reach. But things would quickly change. There was a new leader. A proven winner. A winner who had successfully built the Yankees, D-Backs, and Rangers back to respectability, pretty much from the ground up.
While managing the Yankees ('92-'95), he was largely instrumental- and I emphatically believe deserves a ton of credit- for building the great teams that won multiple World Series championships under Joe Torre. It was Buck who helped draft and first bring up the core of those great Yankee teams: Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, among others. It was Buck who got the Yanks back to contention, and back to the playoffs in 1995, for the first time in 14 years. And I might add that if not for the 1994 strike, Buck's Yanks may have won the World Series as they had the best record in the AL at the time (with my O's right behind!). Of course, I'm glad they didn't win the WS! And in '95 if not for one of the most memorable games in playoff history, game 5 of the ALDS, perhaps Buck stays w/the Yanks after the season. I'm certainly glad he didn't, and was happy when he walked away (because of personnel control issues with "The Boss") b/c I saw how he was building the Yanks into a perennial powerhouse again. Yes, I think Joe Torre was a good manager and did a good job. But make no mistake, I also think he was very fortunate to inherit what Buck had largely built. And I believe that if Buck would have stayed on with the Yanks, he would have likely won multiple championships. The very next year, in 1996 under Joe Torre- with Buck's core intact- the Yankees won the World Series.
Then in 1998, he took over the Arizona Diamondbacks when they became an expansion franchise. And in just their second season, the D-Backs became the fastest expansion team ever to win an astounding 100 games. The next year, they slipped a bit and Buck was let go as D-Backs GM Jerry Colangelo said, "Buck Showalter is an intense guy in everything he does. There are those who have an opinion that there's a time and a place for that. But you also need to have an atmosphere that's conducive for players to perform at the best of their ability." (Ask the players on the Orioles about this perceived atmosphere!). Then once again, the year after Buck left, in 2001 these Diamondbacks- that Buck had mostly built- would win the World Series. It was one of the most dramatic and epic World Series' ever played, culminating in Luis Gonzalez' walk-off hit, ending the Yankees quest at a 4th straight championship. Yes, those Yankees that Buck had been instrumental in building back in the mid-90's. Jay Bell (player for the D-Backs when they won the WS) would say, "There's no question, Buck had a lot to do with what's going on here."
Then, Buck took over the Rangers in 2004 and once again, turned around the franchise in his 2nd season as they went 89-73, and Buck won another manager of the year award. But then once again, Buck was fired after the 2006 season, in what once again seemed to be mostly about personnel control issues.
Buck Showalter's resume is undoubtedly an impressive one. During his four managerial stints, he has won the MLB manager of the year awards in 1994 (Yankees), 2004 (Rangers), and then with the O's in 2014. And I also believe he should have won in 1999 with the D-Backs!
In my opinion, there is no one else in baseball I would rather have managing my O's. And here's hoping he will be in the dugout (then perhaps front office) for several more years! Last year, in an extensive survey of players, managers and baseball people among the industry, Buck landed up there among the majority of voters in the top 3 of overall best managers. And a couple years ago, the MLB Network did a special: "Buck Showalter, A Life In Baseball", which in my opinion is a must watch and gives you a great snapshot into the life of this man, on and off the field.
Yes, as I tell my wife, I have a "Man Crush" on Buck Showalter, and have for several years. No one has been more instrumental throughout the entire organization for bringing my beloved O's back to consistent winning (after 14 straight losing seasons!) than Buck. His fingerprints and leadership are all over this franchise, as it should be. And he is very humble in how he embraces and talks about the privilege of being a MLB manager, is quick to give others praise and credit with success, and doesn't take himself too seriously.
Here are some of the many of my favorite examples of why I like Buck so much:
1. His Press-Conferences-
Seriously, if you want to laugh, listen to good baseball stories, and really just sit at the feet and learn from a baseball genius, watch his press conferences. He is humorous, witty and incredibly intelligent in both life and baseball. Within his first week as O's manager, he talked about life with John Kruk and late night Taco Bell runs while working with ESPN. It was hilarious. There was the press conference in 2015 after the infamous "Buck Gnome" game, with his Gnome also taking it in. Then there is also the non-baseball side of him that loves and cares for the community and the City of Baltimore. This was on clear display when he spoke about the Freddie Gray riots and what Baltimore was going through.
And then there are countless examples of when you can just listen and be in awe of how his master strategist and baseball managerial mind works. In my opinion, no one is better prepared and so skillfully thinks ahead in so many specific situations than Buck. One of these prime examples is when he talks about how he thinks through (and skillfully prepares in advance for) the bullpen match-ups: why someone pitched that night, and for how long; why someone didn't pitch that night; saving someone for the next series and specific hitters; track records of those pitchers and hitters; and just relying on pure baseball instincts. I would love if someone put together several hours of Buck press conferences as I would certainly watch them all.
2. His relationship with his players-
His players love him. And respect him. And Buck loves his players, and respects them. One of his best skills is finding a players' strengths, putting them in the best position to succeed, and getting them to "be as good as they can possibly be", which he quotes often. His players are fiercely loyal to Buck. And Bucks is fiercely loyal to his players. In his earlier years of managing, it was often said that Buck probably micro-managed a little too much and that his intensity and demands of his players became too much at times. Whatever the case back then, I can't imagine a better manager than Buck who currently displays an appropriate blend of intensity, demand of perfection and strongest work ethic possible, meticulous attention to detail, and knowledge of the game, while simultaneously and skillfully keeping the guys loose, making them believe in themselves and what works, being relatable, not taking themselves too seriously, and even creating a great culture of humor around the clubhouse. A great example of this was when he pranked Darren O'Day back in 2012! So good.
Buck also doesn't shy away from appropriately and boldly confronting his players when needed through discipline and correction. I once read an example of when Manny Machado flipped his bat in an arrogant way while hitting a HR and Buck pulled him aside when he reached the dugout and confronted him by saying he was putting his teammates in a bad position by making the pitcher mad (which most managers wouldn't bother telling their players). Machado quickly respected Buck and would thank him for how he has helped him in these ways. While Buck wants his players to be who they are and have fun, he also wants them to be keenly aware of how their actions and words affect each other, as well as the fans.
But one of the most endearing moments I can recall between Buck and a player was when Nick Markakis got drilled on the hand by CC Sabathia during the critical late season surge in 2012. Markakis, who was perhaps playing the best ball of his career at the time, had a broken thumb and it was a crushing blow (I believe costing the O's the AL East title & possibly a deeper playoff run) as he would be lost the rest of the season. After Markakis emerged from the clubhouse where he got further diagnosis on his injury, Buck embraced him as a father embraces his son. That image stayed with me and I believe epitomizes the deep love Buck has for his players. And though the injury was indeed devastating, Buck's leadership emerged once again as he led his players to see the injury as a rallying cry and all the more fuel them in their post-season run.
One of the most special team moments I can recall from the past several years: Buck embracing Nick Markakis shortly after the devastating injury.
3. His leadership-
To talk about Buck's exceptional leadership is an entire piece itself, and then some. His influence on the entire Orioles organization began from the top down the day he was hired. Buck skillfully and convincingly gets his players to buy in to what he wants to do. And one of the best things, is that he indeed knows what he wants to do, and how to get there. As mentioned above, Buck immediately changed the attitude and culture when he came here. An organization that knew nothing but losing for 14 straight seasons, rose from the Abyss under Buck's leadership to surge back to the postseason in 2012.
There are countless examples within the organization that I attribute to Buck's leadership, specifically his attention to detail. One of the very first examples of these kinds of things was a story I heard about a picture that was already up in his office when he first arrived. It was a beautiful picture of Camden Yards on a gorgeous sunny game day, with a packed out house. But Buck immediately noticed a problem: "The bases were loaded and we were getting hammered", he said. "I ain't looking up at that!" The picture was immediately removed.
Another example of this attention to detail I remember was a game when Matt Wieters was chasing a foul ball over by the O's dugout. As he neared the railing, he slipped on a little padding and flew right under the railing, somehow not getting close-lined under the chin and no doubt having an injury. It was a near disaster. And Buck immediately noticed. And the next day the little padding was removed.
Then in the 2012 season, though I'm not sure I have ever heard who's initial idea it was, or should be given the most credit, but I would be willing to bet that it was Buck who spearheaded the plan- perhaps from observing Yankees legends at Monument Park during his managing days there- to have the 6 Orioles Hall of Famers showcased during a year long, "Orioles Legends Celebration" series, where each of the 6 would have a special ceremony, and a bronze statue of each placed in the newly renovated picnic area in CF. Each was a memorable and celebratory event, and unquestionably some of the very best events in the history of not only Camden Yards, but in Orioles history.
And also during the final stretch of the '12 season, the team produced a players video for the fans, where Buck spoke during the intro and thanked the fans for their enormous support during the great run during the season. Buck is not only in tune with his players and the organization from top to bottom, but the fans as well.
On August 8th, 2014 vs the Cardinals (St. Louis of course being the city that moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1954), another one of the greatest events in the illustrious Orioles history took place: the "60th Anniversary Celebration" that honored and celebrated most of the greatest players and moments in team history. While witnessing this 30-plus minute post-game extravaganza (after a blow out win over the mighty Cardinals), I stood in awe as it hit me how good things were in Birdland at that moment: not only were the O's really surging and starting to run away with the AL East title for the first time since '97, but I once again imagined that Buck's fingerprints had to be all over this event that featured so much special attention to details.
Then in the final stretch of the amazing 2014 season that had the O's sprinting towards their first AL East title since 1997, the team once again produced a video for the fans, that would also go on to be a rallying cry all the way through the post-season: "We Won't Stop!" Once again, Buck addressed the fans during the intro and I gotta think once again, he had a large say in initiating something like this.
Buck's leadership was once again on display in spring training of 2015. Coming off their AL East championship and deep playoff run, the Orioles had once again tasted the sweetness of what meaningful October baseball feels like. They had also experienced the added intensity of October baseball crowd noise. Showalter had the brilliant idea of simulating crowd noise during team drills in an effort to enhance team communication during key in game moments when crowd noise made it nearly impossible to audibly hear one another. The noise Showalter chose to simulate: Delmon Young's epic game-winning double in the 2014 ALDS game 2- unquestionably the loudest game moment in not only Camden Yards history, but perhaps even in Orioles history. As ESPN columnist Jayson Stark would say, "One thing we've come to learn about Showalter is that he never does anything without a purpose. Anything. Not even pop-up drills in February."
When I took my oldest son, JT on a tour of the Orioles clubhouse I once again saw some things that I gotta think are a direct result of Buck's leadership, as it related to the clubhouse atmosphere and little things that enhanced this winning culture that he has helped bring back.
First, there was a wall dedicated to each Orioles member of the MLB Hall of Fame. Though I'm not sure if these were there prior to Buck, with all that has happened (like HOF sculptures) since Buck's arrival, and his constant focus on embracing and learning from the rich O's history, they certainly have a Buck feel to them. Buck often talks about embracing and learning from the history, while at the same time not being inappropriately bound by it.
O's HOF members displayed on wall in clubhouse
Also in the clubhouse on one of the walls was something I really got excited to see: pictures from Delmon Young's epic 3 run double in game 2 of the '14 ALDS! Just another way to capture a great (one of the absolute greatest!) moment in O's history and serve as a way to fuel the winning culture so when guys walk through the clubhouse they are constantly reminded of it.
Delmon Young's epic 3 RBI double in the bottom of the 8th in game #2 of the 2014 ALDS.
The bases clear. Hardy slides home safe. The crowd goes nuts.
Then as you make your way into the O's dugout, you see a memorial dedicated to the most successful manager in O's history- and one of the greatest managers in MLB history: Earl Weaver. More of this below.
Earl Weaver plaque in O's dugout
Under Showalter, the Orioles are consistently at the very top of the league in team defense as they rarely make errors and mistakes that cost them games. In 2013, they set an MLB record with only 54 errors, and the best fielding percentage ever at .991! When the Orioles lose, they rarely lose because of self-inflicted mistakes. They are trained well to do all the right things. The big and small things. Players don't miss the cutoff guy. They hustle and run out every ground ball. They each know their role and where they should be in every situation. They grind to the last out. They play great defense. They have a high respect for the game, it's traditions, and how it should be played. And they play extremely hard. I believe there is no question that Showalter's leadership and attention to detail is the main reason for these kinds of results. He brings a high level of accountability, expectation, and work ethic that permeates throughout the entire organization- from top to bottom.
Yes, the fingerprints of Buck's leadership can be felt all throughout the organization, whether it be in personnel decisions, in-game management, clubhouse atmosphere, player relations, connection to the fans, or media savviness.
4. His love and respect for Orioles history-
One thing I noticed that Buck immediately wanted to do upon his arrival in Baltimore was help infuse and reinvigorate throughout the organization, a pronounced awareness of the rich history that is Orioles baseball. The Oriole Way. How the game was played. How the organization had once best functioned from top to bottom. The incredible winning tradition. And the Oriole legends who helped lay the foundation and set the standard for what baseball in Baltimore was all about. Not only did he want to be instrumental in bringing these things back to the present day organizational culture, but he also wanted to learn about all of it himself, and learn from these key people. He wanted his players, all throughout the organization, to lean into these people and learn, and be inspired and affected by them.
Right when Buck was hired, he talked about the profound influence that one time Orioles player, and then manager, Johnny Oates had on his life, both as a person and as a baseball guy. Oates was Buck's manager in the Yankees system in both AA and AAA in the early 80's. Buck would say that Oates became an inspiration to him, and that his compassion for his players was something that he really learned from. And then when Buck became manager of the Yankees in 1992, it was Johnny Oates who was at the helm managing the Birds in the opposing dugout when the two rivals clashed and had some epic battles.
During his first spring training with the O's in 2011, Buck would tap into the rich history of the franchise by showing a film of various highlights throughout the years to everyone. Again, not only one of his many examples of leadership on display, but linked with this was his deep appreciation and respect for those who have gone before them, won, and essentially paved the way for the present day in many ways.
And then Earl Weaver. I have to imagine that it was partly because of Buck's love and respect for O's history, wanting to teach and infuse these things to his guys and have them be affected, and out of a humble desire to learn from those who have gone before him, Buck reached out to The Earl of Baltimore and formed a good bond with him. He started involving Earl with the team in various ways, and Earl would come often to spring training. He would speak to the team, hang out, and just have fun. I once heard Buck say that when Earl was present for those team meetings, "once that coffee set in", even though past his prime he would really light up and you could see and hear his wisdom and brilliance on display and why he was who he was. Earl loved Buck. And Buck loved Earl. And there have even been times when Buck has gone off on umps for horrendous calls and he absolutely looks like Earl Weaver out there with similar body gestures and fiery intensity! So good to watch.
He has also had Frank Robinson speak to the team several times. And the O's legends: The Iron Man, Cal Ripken, Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, among others. While there seemed to be controversy among the organization prior to Buck's arrival on what former players may not have been as welcomed, or felt as comfortable being around the organization, that certainly changed for the better when Buck arrived- as it absolutely should have. Buck's goal and profound awareness of how important it was to connect the former and current Orioles, tap into the rich history, and ultimately cultivate genuine relationships as one big family has been so refreshing to see. As mentioned previously, perhaps the best examples of this- and what I think are 2 of the greatest events in Orioles history- were the "Orioles Legends Series", and the "60th Anniversary" night.
5. His consistent winning-
Yes, all the categories mentioned above are reasons why I love Buck.. And they all weave together and help form one consistent and essential dynamic that has defined Buck's managerial career: winning. Since 2012, the Orioles currently boast the most wins of any organization in the American League. Certainly Andy MacPhail was a big reason as a master architect who started building from the ground up. And current GM Dan Duquette's success also can't be overlooked. And as Buck would be quick to point out, it's the players themselves who really make his success possible. But at the bottom of it all, I emphatically believe that it is Buck himself who is the master linchpin who holds it all together and who is most responsible for the current success. It's a combination of his deep respect and profound understanding and love of the game. It's how he handles himself and people. It's his meticulous attention to detail and relentless preparation. And it's his brilliant in-game management skills and reliance on exceptional instincts. A prime example of this being on display was in game 3 of the 2014 ALDS vs. the Tigers. The Orioles entered the bottom of the 9th inning with a 2-0 lead and on the verge of clinching the series and advancing to the ALCS. Stud closer Zach Britton was called on to do what Zach Britton does: close out the game and shut down the opposition. But the Tigers quickly mounted a threat by getting a run, and then having the tying run on 2nd with one out. What did Buck do? He relied on instincts and went against conventional wisdom: he intentionally walked 3B Nick Castellanos to actually put the winning run on base, and have Britton face Hernan Perez next. Of course, he also set up the possible double-play ball, which Britton is a master at inducing. The strategy worked, sending the Orioles to the ALCS.
In 2013, I took my family to Sarasota for spring training. One of the highlights was Buck signing a baseball for my son after one of the games!
Then last year ('15 season), I got what was perhaps my favorite giveaway of the year: A Buck Showalter Garden Gnome. Of course I wanted to proudly put it on visible display in our home, and initially placed it on top of the kitchen sink. But my wife had other ideas. We thought about where it could go as she understandably didn't want it as visible as I did. We eventually thought, why not in my closet? Yup, perfect spot. She would get her way and not have it as visible, while I would still be able to see it frequently. We joked that it was a great spot, so Buck could manage my closet!
Buck Showalter has oversight to manage my closet!
Again, there is no other manager out there that I would handpick to manage my O's over Buck Showalter. I actually started working on this piece at the outset of this season during spring training (interrupted by other pieces and work along the way!), so now as I finally complete it, we prepare to enter the second half of the MLB season. I am ecstatic to find the Birds in a familiar place under Buck: in the pennant race and competing for the post-season as they currently sit in first place in a competitive AL East. Here's to the Birds surging down the stretch and giving Buck another opportunity to "roll the dice in October" as we hope and long for the O's next- and Buck's first and long-awaited, World Series Championship!
