How about the Orioles? Since Buck Showalter took over as the team’s manager, the Birds have been white-hot, winning eight out of 10, including four one-run games. The O’s are playing so well that they no longer hold the worst record in the majors, having passed the Pirates with their 40th win of the season. One interesting tidbit that seems highly unlikely of a team with a .348 winning percentage is this: thanks to two extra-inning victories since Showalter became the skipper, Baltimore is tied with Philadelphia for the major league lead with 10 extra-inning wins, losing just three such games.
Buck Showalter
13 August 2010
30 July 2010
O’s Notes
After eight weeks of rumors, Buck Showalter has been hired as the next manager of the Orioles. I don’t expect the Birds to suddenly turn things around and finish the season with fewer than 100 losses (they’d have to go 31-29), but I do like Showalter’s experience; he’s led the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers to a combined .514 winning percentage over 10 seasons, winning 100 games with Arizona in 1999. Nothing against interim manager Juan Samuel, but he hasn’t managed over 1,700 games in the big leagues. I’m looking forward to seeing what Showalter can do with a full season as O’s skipper in 2011.
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