Buck Showalter
Showalter with the New York Mets in 2023
Manager
Born: (1956-05-23) May 23, 1956
DeFuniak Springs, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB statistics
Managerial record1,727–1,664
Winning %.509
Teams
As coach

As manager

Career highlights and awards

William Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter III (born May 23, 1956) is an American professional baseball manager. He served as manager of the New York Yankees (1992–1995), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–2000), Texas Rangers (2003–2006), Baltimore Orioles (2010–2018) and New York Mets (2022–2023). He also is a former professional Minor League Baseball player and television analyst for ESPN and the YES Network.

Showalter has earned a reputation for building baseball teams into postseason contenders in short periods of time.[1] He helped the Yankees rise from the bottom half of the AL East to first place before a players' strike prematurely ended the 1994 campaign.[2] Under his watch, the Diamondbacks made their first-ever playoff appearance in only the second year of the team's existence.[3] Despite this reputation, Showalter has never appeared in a World Series; coincidently, he left both the Yankees and Diamondbacks just prior to seasons when they won the World Series.[1] Since Dusty Baker's win in the 2022 World Series, Showalter has become the winningest active manager in MLB to never win a World Series. However, in 22 seasons, he has reached the postseason six times, reaching the League Championship Series once.

A three-time American League (AL) and one-time National League (NL) Manager of the Year, he is the third manager to win four Manager of the Year awards, the seventh to win the award in both the American and National Leagues, and the only one to win the award with four different teams and in four different decades.

Early life

Showalter was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, on May 23, 1956,[4] and grew up in nearby Century.[5] His father, William Nathaniel Showalter II, served 23 years as a teacher and principal at Century High School, from which the younger Showalter graduated. Before becoming a teacher, his father had been a Little All-American fullback in 1940 at Milligan College, and had considered a career in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but chose to become a high school coach instead.[6]

College career

Showalter was known as "Nat", and had not acquired the nickname "Buck" prior to turning professional. Showalter played college baseball at Chipola Junior College (now Chipola College) in Marianna, Florida, in 1976. From there he transferred to Mississippi State University to play for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.[7]

Showalter with the Nashville Sounds in 1980

In 1976, Showalter played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) for the Hyannis Mets, where he won the league batting title with a .434 batting average, and was named league MVP. In 2002, he was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame.[8]

Showalter was an All-American and set the Mississippi State record for batting average in a season by hitting .459 during the 1977 season.[9]

Professional career

He was selected by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the 1977 MLB draft, and spent seven seasons in the Yankees' minor league system where he had a career average of .294 with 17 home runs and 336 runs batted in. He never played in the major leagues, rising no higher than Triple-A Columbus (one rung below the majors).[7]

Managerial career

Minor leagues

Showalter was hired as manager of the Single-A minor-league Oneonta Yankees of the New York–Penn League in 1985, leading them to 114 victories in two seasons. In August 2017, he was named as an inductee in the New York–Penn League Hall of Fame.[10]

In 1987, Showalter became manager of the minor league Fort Lauderdale Yankees, leading the league with an 85–53 record in his first season. In 1989, Showalter managed the Double-A Albany-Colonie Yankees of the Eastern League, where he was named Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America.

New York Yankees

In 1990, Showalter was promoted to the coaching staff of the New York Yankees, and eventually succeeded Stump Merrill as the team's manager for the 1992 season. During his four years as the Yankees' manager, the team posted a record of 313–268, finishing first during the strike-shortened 1994 season, thereby being named by the Associated Press as the American League Manager of the Year and became the 1995 American League manager for the All-Star Game. The Yankees won the AL wild card in 1995, participating in the playoffs for the first time since 1981. However, they lost to the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series. Following the season, owner George Steinbrenner offered Showalter a new, two-year contract, but demanded that Showalter fire his hitting coach, Rick Down. Showalter was unwilling to do this.[11] On October 26, 1995, the Yankees announced that Showalter and the team had parted ways "'under amicable terms'"; Showalter expressed surprise at the announcement.[12] While some sources say that Showalter was fired from the Yankees,[13][14] others indicate that he resigned his position.[15][16][17] Showalter finished his Yankees tenure with a regular-season record of 313 wins and 268 losses and a playoff record of two wins and three losses.[18]

Showalter was not re-hired after that season in part because of the playoff loss, but mostly because he stood up for his players during the strike. The Yankees won the World Series the following year and they would win the World Series in four of the next five years. However, Showalter could not watch the Yankees win the World Series, saying, "I feel badly for the fans" in New York for what they lost during the 1994 strike.[19]

Showalter appeared as himself along with Danny Tartabull in the September 1994 Seinfeld television episode "The Chaperone".[20]

Arizona Diamondbacks

In November of 1995, Showalter was approached to manange an expansion team that would begin play in 1998. Named the Arizona Diamondbacks, Showalter was interested in taking a more active role in developing the eventual roster, complete with a $7 million contract for seven years. He had a handshake deal with the team, but Yankees owner George Steinbrenner made one last ditch effort to his home in Florida about wanting him back (Joe Torre had been tapped to manage for the moment). Showalter elected to honor his agreement with Arizona.[21] In the Diamondbacks' first season (1998), Showalter managed the team to a 65–97 record, but following numerous off-season player acquisitions, which included Randy Johnson, Armando Reynoso, Todd Stottlemyre, Luis Gonzalez, Tony Womack, and Steve Finley, Showalter managed the 1999 team to a 100–62 record and the National League West title, making them the fastest expansion team in MLB history to win a division title. They lost in the NLDS to the New York Mets. After the team regressed to an 85–77 record in 2000, the Diamondbacks fired Showalter on October 1, 2000, with the team citing a need for a "lighter touch" as compared to the disciplinarian approach by Showalter.[22] He had a three-year record of 250–236.[18][23] Just as the Yankees did after replacing him, the Diamondbacks, managed by Bob Brenly, won the World Series the following year.

Texas Rangers

After a few years as an analyst on ESPN, Showalter was hired as manager of the Texas Rangers on October 11, 2002, following a last-place season under manager Jerry Narron. In his first season with the Rangers, Showalter managed the team to a 71–91 record—again in last place; but following the high-profile, off-season trade which sent Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees, Showalter's Rangers jumped out to an early-season record of 17–9 by early May of the 2004 season. The Rangers stayed in playoff contention for most of the season, performing far better than most had predicted. The Rangers failed to make the playoffs, finishing third in the AL West, though Showalter was again named Manager of the Year. In Showalter's four years with the Rangers the team failed to finish better than third (of four teams) in the AL West. He was fired as manager on October 4, 2006.[24] He finished his Rangers career with a 319–329 record.[18]

Baltimore Orioles

Showalter with the Baltimore Orioles in 2017

Showalter was hired as a senior advisor to baseball operations for the Cleveland Indians on December 1, 2006,[25] and then returned to ESPN as an analyst, before being appointed to succeed Juan Samuel as manager of the Baltimore Orioles on July 29, 2010.[26] He chose to wear uniform number 26 as a tribute to Johnny Oates.[27] Signed to a contract through the 2013 campaign, he inherited a ballclub with the worst record in the majors at 32–73.[28] In his debut as manager on August 3, the Orioles recorded a 6–3 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oriole Park, leading to a three-game sweep.[29][30] The team's first-ever season series sweep of the Angels was completed by the end of the month.[31] The 2010 Orioles won 34 of 57 games played under Showalter, second only to the Phillies during the same stretch.[1]

Showalter managed the 1,000th victory of his major-league career in a 7–1 triumph at Yankee Stadium on May 1, 2012.[32] Showalter finished the 2012 season with a .574 winning percentage, winning 93 games, and ending a streak of losing seasons for the Orioles at 14.

Under Showalter, the Orioles reached the postseason for the first time since 1997, defeating the Texas Rangers in the Wild Card game on October 5, 2012. The Orioles were later defeated by the New York Yankees in the 2012 American League Division Series, 3 games to 2. Showalter was named the AL Manager of the Year by The Sporting News.[33] He was re-signed through 2018 with the Orioles.[34]

After finishing out of playoff contention in the 2013 season, Showalter led the 2014 Orioles to the AL East title—the franchise's first in 17 years. The Orioles subsequently swept the Detroit Tigers (3–0) in the ALDS for Showalter's first major league ALDS title, before being swept themselves (4–0) by the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS.

On November 11, 2014, Showalter won his third AL Manager of the Year award, his first since 2004.[35]

The Orioles finished the 2015 season with an 81–81 record, giving them their fourth consecutive non-losing season. And in 2016, the Orioles finished tied for second in the American League East with an 89–73 record. They made the postseason for the third time in five years, but lost 5–2 in 11 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays during the AL Wild Card game.

On October 3, 2018, days after the Orioles finished with a franchise-worst 115 losses, Showalter's and General Manager Dan Duquette's contracts ran out and the team announced that they would not be brought back.[36]

New York Mets

On December 18, 2021, the New York Mets hired Showalter as their manager, signing him to a three-year contract. Showalter wore number 11—the number he wore every other place he managed except Baltimore, where he wore number 26 as a tribute to Johnny Oates.[37]

In 2022 he tied for the lead among all major league managers in overturns (26), and had the highest overturn percentage (78.6%), while he was the only full-season manager to not be ejected from any games.[38] Under Showalter, the Mets had their first 100-win season since 1988, but their division lead (one that reached 10 games at one point) was gradually whitted away by September, with a three-game-sweep by the Atlanta Braves proving key to the finish as the Mets lost the division title to the Braves in an automatic tiebreaker.[39] The Mets would go on to lose the NLWCS in Game 3 to the San Diego Padres.[40] He was named NL Manager of the Year.

Amid a disappointing start to the 2023 season, in the words of The Athletic's Tim Britton, Showalter's performance came "under justified fire" from fans. In spite of that, on June 28, 2023, Mets majority owner Steve Cohen held a press conference in which he affirmed that Showalter's job would be guaranteed at least until the end of what Cohen conceded was an "incredibly frustrating" season.[41] Showalter then announced on the final day of the season that he was fired as Mets manager by newly appointed President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.[42]

Managerial record

As of August 21, 2023[43]
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
GamesWonLostWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
NYY1992 1627686.4694th in AL East––––
NYY1993 1628874.5432nd in AL East––––
NYY1994 1137043.6191st in AL East–––N/A (strike)
NYY1995 1457965.5492nd in AL East23.400Lost ALDS (SEA)
NYY Total582313268.53923.400
ARI1998 1626597.4015th in NL West––––
ARI1999 16210062.6171st in NL West13.250Lost NLDS (NYM)
ARI2000 1628577.5253rd in NL West––––
ARI Total486250236.51413.250
TEX2003 1627191.4384th in AL West––––
TEX2004 1628973.5493rd in AL West––––
TEX2005 1627983.4883rd in AL West––––
TEX2006 1628082.4943rd in AL West––––
TEX Total648319329.49200–
BAL2010 573423.5965th in AL East––––
BAL2011 1626993.4265th in AL East––––
BAL2012 1629369.5742nd in AL East23.400Lost ALDS (NYY)
BAL2013 1628577.5253rd in AL East––––
BAL2014 1629666.5931st in AL East34.429Lost ALCS (KC)
BAL2015 1628181.5003rd in AL East––––
BAL2016 1628973.5492nd in AL East01.000Lost ALWC (TOR)
BAL2017 1627587.4635th in AL East––––
BAL2018 16247115.2905th in AL East––––
BAL Total1,353669684.49458.385
NYM2022 16210161.6232nd in NL East12.333Lost NLWCS (SD)
NYM2023 1627587.4634th in NL East––––
NYM Total324176148.543–––
Total3,3931,7271,665.5091016.385

Personal life

Showalter has been married to his wife, Angela, since 1983. They have two children, Allie, born in 1987, and William, born in 1991.[44] The couple met in Nashville when he was playing for the Nashville Sounds.[45] When Showalter was manager of the Orioles, his wife was active in the KidsPeace charity for foster children.[46]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Solotaroff, Paul (April 2011). "Is This Man Too Smart for Baseball?". Men's Journal. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012.
  2. ↑ "New York Yankees Team History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Arizona Diamondbacks Team History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  4. ↑ Wheeler, Kate (July 29, 2010). "Getting to know Buck Showalter". Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.
  5. ↑ "Former Century Resident, Current ESPN Analyst Buck Showalter To Speak". NorthEscambia.com. March 4, 2010.
  6. ↑ Milligan Stampede (student newspaper) 1940–49. The interview by David Driver is mistaken on this point.
  7. 1 2 "Baseball Hero: The Baltimore Orioles' Buck Showalter". Sarasota Magazine.
  8. ↑ "Twelve Legends to be inducted into CCBL Hall of Fame". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Mississippi State University Baseball Team and Individual Records" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "NYPL announces 2017 Hall of Fame inductees". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  11. ↑ Appel, Marty (2014). Pinstripe Empire. New York City: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN 9781608194926.
  12. ↑ "Showalter won't return". Hartford Courant.
  13. ↑ Pennington, Bill (May 3, 2019). "A Yankees Courtship: How George Steinbrenner Tried to Win Back Buck Showalter". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  14. ↑ "Showalter would be right manager for Mets". MLB.com.
  15. ↑ "These 5 have managed both Yankees, Mets". MLB.com.
  16. ↑ "Steinbrenner wanted Showalter to return". Newsday.com. September 6, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Does Buck Showalter make sense to be next manager of Padres?". October 20, 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 "Buck Showalter". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Puckett receives Clemente award". USA Today. October 24, 1996. p. 5C.
  20. ↑ "The 10 funniest 'Seinfeld' sports cameos* from Jeter to Hernandez". Ftw.usatoday.com. May 9, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  21. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/03/sports/yankees-george-steinbrenner-buck-showalter.html
  22. ↑ Imber, Gil. "Ranking Kirk Gibson and Every Manager in D-Backs History". Bleacher Report.
  23. ↑ "Diamondbacks Fire Buck Showalter". Associated Press.
  24. ↑ Postins, Matthew. "Rangers History Today: Jon Daniels Becomes General Manager". Sports Illustrated Texas Rangers News, Analysis and More.
  25. ↑ "Tribe hire Showalter as senior adviser". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 1, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Orioles name Buck Showalter Manager". Baltimore Orioles. MLB.com. July 29, 2010. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  27. ↑ Zrebiec, Jeff (August 6, 2010). "To Showalter, No. 26 is more than a number". The Baltimore Sun.
  28. ↑ Connolly, Dan (August 2, 2010). "Orioles introduce Buck Showalter as manager". The Baltimore Sun.
  29. ↑ Karpovich, Todd (August 3, 2010). "Buck's era of accountability begins with win". MLB.com.
  30. ↑ Ghiroli, Brittany (August 5, 2010). "Great Cesar's ghost: O's walk off for sweep". MLB.com.
  31. ↑ Drellich, Evan (August 29, 2010). "Guthrie shuts down Halos to seal sweep". MLB.com.
  32. ↑ Ghiroli, Brittany (May 1, 2012). "O's click behind Matusz in Buck's 1,000th win". MLB.com.
  33. ↑ Bahr, Chris (October 24, 2012). "Sporting News MLB awards: Buck Showalter, Davey Johnson voted top managers". SportingNews.com.
  34. ↑ "Orioles extend Buck Showalter's deal". ESPN.com. January 18, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  35. ↑ ESPN.com News Services (November 11, 2014). "Buck Showalter is AL's top manager". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  36. ↑ Meoli, Eduardo A. Encina, Jon. "Buck Showalter, Dan Duquette out after Orioles' worst season in team history". baltimoresun.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (December 18, 2021). "Mets announce Showalter as new manager". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  38. ↑ "2022 Major League Baseball Managers".
  39. ↑ Casella, Paul (October 3, 2022). "Mets' division hopes nearly erased by sweep". mlb.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  40. ↑ Axisa, Mike (October 10, 2022). "Mets vs. Padres score, takeaways: San Diego knocks out 101-win New York with Wild Card Series one-hitter". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  41. ↑ Britton, Tim (June 28, 2023). "Cohen: Mets' GM, manager to remain through season". The Athletic. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Mets fire Buck Showalter after disappointing season". ESPN.com. October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Buck Showalter Managerial Record".
  44. ↑ "CEO Club of Baltimore" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2021.
  45. ↑ Amara, Kate (October 10, 2014). "What makes Buck Showalter tick?". WBAL. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  46. ↑ Engelke, Jakob (August 13, 2011). "Showalters make foster children part of the home team". baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
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