Top 5 Buck Showalter Moments
When Buck got to Baltimore in 2010, Baltimore was a 31-70 team. They were lead by interim manager Juan Samuel after the firing of Dave Trembley in early June 2010. Orioles, then, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail had this to say about his new hire: "Buck Showalter's proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles. We believe Buck's extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future." And it has.
On the 5 year anniversary of the Orioles' hiring of Buck Showalter, we look back at the last 5 years and give 5 of our favorite moments along the way, in chronological order.
1. Orioles knock Red Sox out of Playoffs
(September 28, 2011)
Buck's first full season with the Birds. In the last game of the season, the Orioles trailed the Red Sox 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th inning. Jonathan Papelbon was on the mound for the save. Mark Reynolds, "The Sherriff" went down swinging in true gun-slinger style. With 1-out, Chris Davis came up to the plate and slapped one into the corner for a double. Buck put in pinch runner Kyle Hudson who scored on a Nolan Reimold double to tie the game. Papelbon had blown the save but the game wasn't over just yet with Robert Andino up next. Andino singled to left, just beyond the reach of a sliding Carl Crawford and Nolan Reimold never looked up. He rounded third and slid safely into home plate for the Orioles win. The Orioles didn't have much to celebrate from a 69-93 season but knocking the division rival Red Sox out of the playoffs sure felt good.
2. Buck Pranks O'Day
(June 28, 2012)
With help from pitcher Jim Johnson, Buck Showalter pranked pitcher Darren O'Day about his Solowheel. This one was worthy of an episode of Prank'd. Buck might have a future in acting. Maybe they'll remake Major League with Buck as Manager Lou Brown. He just needs a mustache.
3. We like 'em too, Buck
(April 30, 2014)
4. American League East Championship
(September 16, 2014)
Buck's Orioles clinched their first American League East Championship since 1997.
5. The Buck Showalter Garden Gnome
(June 28, 2015)
Buck Showalter finally made peace with his gnome. At first, he didn't want to see it. He wanted no part of it and didn't find it very funny, "I'm glad I could be so entertaining," he muttered as he placed the gnome to the side, but once he saw how the fans and the bullpen reacted he took it with stride.
Bonus:
Showalter's first ejection of the season and the 25th of his managerial career, according to the Associated Press. The Baltimore Orioles' Buck Showalter, when tossed from the game for arguing a reversed call at the plate decided to go the "You can't fire me! I'm firing you!" route.