Managerial Candidates
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MLB Veteran Buck Showalter spent 8 seasons (2011-2018) with The Baltimore Orioles before being fired. Through Buck’s first 5 years with Baltimore, the Showalter led Orioles missed the playoffs 3 times through that span finishing 5th in 2011, 2nd in 2012, 3rd in 2013, 1st in 2014 & 3rd in 2015 in the AL East. Baltimore’s first postseason appearance under Buck came in 2012 that resulted in an ALDS defeat to the Yankees in 5 games. Two years later, the 2014 Orioles team won 96 regular season games & was met with an October run that sadly resulted in an ALCS defeat vs Kansas City. After missing the postseason in 2015 & finishing 81-81, the 2016 Orioles had a much better year finishing 89-73 and played in a Wildcard game, ultimately losing to the Toronto Blue Jays. From 2016 on, the Orioles never went to the playoffs again under Showalter and finished last in the AL East in 2017 & 2018.
Showalter’s time in Baltimore did not end in a World Series but did featured some magic during the regular season along with 3 postseason appearances, which was much needed given that the Orioles had not made the playoffs since 1997. Through 8 seasons, Showalter’s Win % did not dip below .500 besides his 1st year with the team & his last two seasons with the team with 2014 being his best year.
Is Buck Suited for San Diego??
No. Though it has been well documented that Buck Showalter has been vying for another chance to manage in MLB, I simply don’t see a fit between the two sides to make a potential marriage work. With San Diego being in that “Win-Now” mode, I think the possibility of another down year in 2022 will stray Buck away. Not to mention IF he is signed with the Padres, a potential firing would look puzzling due to Showalter being a bigger name than G.M. AJ Preller who is expected to have heavy influence in the teams managerial search.