After what the Baltimore Orioles did in 2012, did anyone really think that the team would let manager Buck Showalter go into 2013 flailing in the wind with regard to his contract status? The Baltimore Sun reported last week that Showalter and owner Peter Angelos had spoken about an extension on numerous occasions over the past couple of weeks. Those conversations picked up some steam in the past week, and Showalter is expected to sign an extension sometime in January.
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Again, this is almost a formality. While they’re certainly more seasoned and experienced, don’t forget that Showalter went to the postseason with virtually the same core group of players that other managers had while in Baltimore. Certainly it’s fair to say that he had better pitching among other things, but that again is a credit to Showalter and his vision for what a baseball team should be about. One thing that will be interesting to see is the terms of the agreement. I’m not talking about money (although one would think that Showalter should be in for a nice raise after “bucking the trend” of the last 14 years) per se. Last year it was rumored that Showalter had the urge to move into the front office, but ultimately Peter Angelos felt that he was more valuable to the team in the dugout. (He was right.) Instead the job went to Dan Duquette, and the rest is history. However if Duquette ever stepped aside, would Showalter want to make that move? Might the end of his new contract coincide with the end of Dan Duquette’s?
If they do time the contracts to end at the same time (this would mean Showalter would get a two-year extension), it’s doubtful it would be for that reason. Because for the same reasons Dan Duquette has certainly earned his right to stay in Baltimore based on one year as well. Nevertheless, the two sides are close to an agreement and for all we know a handshake deal might already be in place ready to consummate after the holiday season.
I’ve been in and around sports since I was a child as a player, coach, and a fan. I consistently led the league in technical fouls when I was a basketball coach, and one famous incident I was tossed out of a game for protecting a player from poor officiating. The Orioles beat the Oakland A’s 4-2 the first time my father took me to Memorial Stadium as a kid, and I was hooked for life. While the “old lady” was far from a thing of beauty, to that point I had never seen grass so green, tasted hot dogs so good, or smelled beer so cold! Since that day many years ago, each time I'm at a ballgame I pay a bit of homage to that eight year old boy sitting in Memorial Stadium with his father. See you at the yard!
Domenic Vadala
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