Baltimore Orioles’ Manager Buck Showalter grabs second spot in AL Manager of the Year-MLB News
The Baltimore Orioles had a well fought season. They took it to the wire and almost bagged the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the New York Yankees before bowing out in Game 5. Their manager, Buck Showalter, had a similar fate in the Manager
of the Year race, falling just short at the final hurdle to Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin.
The voting was done by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The down to earth Orioles’ manager is known to stay away from the lime-light and prefers that players shine brighter. Even after he was unable to win the award, he felt disappointed for
his fans and the organisation but not himself.
"Now I know how Miss America [feels] when you are sitting on the stage," said Showalter, a two-time winner of the award. "The only disappointment is for our fans and for the organization because it was such an organizational award and a team award."
Having a look at the season, one can certainly see Buck’s good work. The 56-year-old won his 1000th match as manager on May 1, leading the O’s into the post-season for the first time since 1997. The birds had their first winning season with a
93-69 regular season for the first time in a decade and a half.
He led his team to victories in close encounters, with a 16-2 extra innings record, a 25-14 record in two-run games and an impressive 29-9 in single run games. Around 52 players were used by the club in 2012 to make sure that no stone was left unturned and
all the talent at hand could be utilised for the team’s progress.
Showalter himself suggested that Bob Melvin was a deserving winner and if he himself was voting, Bob will have been his choice. The Oakland manager won four more first place votes then Buck to win the prestigious award.
The vice president of baseball operations, Dan Duquette was all praise for the manager and acknowledged his role in the team’s turn around.
“I think the manager can influence the record in a number of games, but it's the close games that I think really distinguish Buck," he said. "Buck has a history of helping teams turn around and it's his leadership that helped turn the Orioles around."
Buck Showalter will remain with the Orioles for at least one more season. He is expected to build on his good work in 2012 and take the team to new heights in 2013.
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