Buck Wild

When former ESPN analyst Buck Showalter was contacted by the Baltimore Orioles to take over the managerial job in late July of last season, he inherited a ballclub which possessed the worst record in the league at a dismal 32-73. However, the Orioles would finish the season going 34-23 with Showalter at the helm, giving them the best record in the division during that stretch. Helping turn the franchise around for the final two months of the season, many pondered what Baltimore's overall record would've looked like had Buck been the skipper on opening day. With a clean slate and a cast full of well-seasoned newcomers, baseball fans will get to see just how the new-look O's fair against the powerhouse AL East.

Regarded by most to improve by as many as 10 games and perhaps contend for a third place finish, some think Baltimore is only a season away from becoming a threat for the division. Better known as the Bill Parcells of baseball, having turned a number of mediocre franchises into championship caliber teams, Showalter likes his clubs chances this year and isn't refraining from calling out his division foes. First targeted by Buck's onslaught of criticism, was Red Sox GM Theo Epstein. In the soon to be released April issue of Men's Journal magazine, Showalter bashed Epstein by saying, "I'd like to see how smart he is with the Tampa Bay [Rays] payroll." Sox skipper Terry Francona responded to the remarks of his Baltimore counterpart, calling him, "Out of line", and added that Buck wouldn't appreciate his GM being attacked.

The 2-time American League Manager of the Year then took a shot at Yankees All-Star shortstop Derek Jeter, telling the magazine, "He's always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets, and yes, he ticks me off." Just what Jeter needed, some bulletin board material. Though he hasn't responded publicly as you can expect from an 11-time All-Star, you can bet your bottom dollar he'll let his bat do the talking when the two clubs meet next in New York on April 12th. Meanwhile, the Sox and O's will oppose one another for the first time this year on April 26th in Baltimore.

Regardless if you agree with Showalter for going after two of the premiere franchises in the league, you've gotta tip your hat to him for helping them earn a bit of recognition. After all, the last time the Orioles were in any sort of discussion was when Cal Ripken retired in 2001. At least that's what it seems like...