After leading the Orioles back to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, it’s hard not to wonder what Buck Showalter was doing on the set of ESPN for so long instead of planted in a dugout. It’s even harder to wonder why his three previous employers, the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers, ever wanted to part ways with the two-time American League Manager of the Year.
After working his way through the Yankees farm system as a manager, Buck was promoted to the coaching staff of their major league team and eventually took over the managerial duties in 1992. The Yankees finished in first place in 1994, a season shortened by strike. In 1995, Buck guided the team to their first playoff birth since 1981, winning the AL Wild Card. Despite the playoff birth, the Yankees did not rehire Buck for the 1996 season. Whether it was his failure to advance far in the playoffs or because he took advice from George Costanza to dress the team in cotton uniforms (a move that eventually backfired), the two parted ways.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYFbknzeVNM[/youtube]
In what would become somewhat of a trend for teams the year after firing Buck, the Yankees won the World Series. Not only did they bring the Commissioner’s Trophy back to the Bronx in 1996, but also in 1998, 1999, and 2000; a very successful post-Buck era if you ask me.
Buck’s next gig was taking over an expansion team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, in 1998. In just their second season, the D-backs finished in first place in the NL West while winning 100 games. They failed to win a playoff series that year however, and failed to even make the playoffs the following, bringing the Buck era in Arizona to an end after just three seasons.
And just like those pesky Yankees, the Diamondbacks won the World Series on the memorable Luis Gonzalez walk-off hit in game 7, just a year into their post-Buck era.
The Rangers did not see as much success under the watch of Buck, finishing no better than 3rd place during his four seasons as manager. The club was also not lucky enough to receive “The Curse of Showalter,” or in this case maybe it was more of a blessing, as they did not win the World Series the year after parting ways. Although it was not immediate, they have been successful in their post-Buck era, wining the AL Pennant in 2010 and 2011.
It’s no secret that Buck was able to win games during his years in New York, Arizona, and Texas, posting records of 313-268, 250-236, and 321-329, respectively. So why was he fired after building rosters that were obviously capable of winning World Series?
Prior to his days in Charm City, Buck was infamous for his petty attention to detail and was not the most well liked manager by the media, to say the least. It’s also worth noting that Buck is managing with somewhat of a chip on his shoulder. He has every right to believe it should have been him, not Joe Torre, leading the pinstripes to all those AL East division crowns. And it should have been him, not Bob Brenly, watching Gonzalez’s bloop base hit sail over the head of Derek Jeter. And maybe it even should have been him, not Ron Washington, leading the Rangers back to one of the top teams in the American League.
The general consensus is that Buck has mellowed down since joining the Birds. He has been known to be a little more jovial with the Baltimore media, yes, but more importantly, he has become a manager that gets the best out of each one of his players. They seem to, in turn, love playing for him.
Even Buck has recognized his transformation. Following the Orioles’ 9-6 come from behind win against the Nationals on Wednesday night, he was asked if he could enjoy the win. His response, “I can. 10 years ago I couldn’t have.”
Although the post-Buck era has been kind to his previous teams, I am a firm believer that those times are well behind him. The contract extension that was signed in January by Buck and Dan Duquette, keeping the duo in Baltimore through 2018, proves that the front office plans on bringing the World Series title back to Baltimore with Buck leading the way.
One Response
Nice job on a brief conversation. Has Buck really mellowed or has time done that to him.
At least I can understand what he mutters at post-game news conferences now (for the most part). When he was on ESPN I would change channels.