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The press conference introducing Buck Showalter as manager lasted about 43 minutes and included a few unexpected quips. He often wears a serious look, but he also has a nice sense of humor.
I'll attach some quotes later, but I wanted to pass along a few points:
* Juan Samuel will remain in the organization in a special assignment role that will include checking out the Dominican facility. Gary Allenson will continue to serve as third base coach for the rest of the season.
* No word on whether Showalter will bring in any new coaches. Everyone is being evaluated, he said, including himself.
* Showalter will wear No. 26 in honor of former Orioles catcher and manager Johnny Oates. Showalter regards Oates, who managed him in the minors, as a mentor. Coincidentally, Oates' family will be in town this weekend for the Hall of Fame ceremony.
* Showalter isn't prepared to lay out a plan for the team or suggest upcoming changes. He's observed that the club played hard for Samuel, but he needs time to evaluate everyone beyond what he's seen on television.
* President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said the Orioles need "an identity as a franchise," and he believes Showalter can make it happen. He also noted how he wanted a manager who brought experience creating a winning environment and had been exposed to a young roster.
* Showalter understands the challenges of competing in the AL East, but he won't use them as an excuse for losing. "Tampa Bay has eliminated a lot of those excuses," he said.
* MacPhail noted that Showalter will be asked for his input on player development, but probably not amateur scouting.
* MacPhail said Showalter's reputation as a micromanager wasn't a concern when making the hire. "It was not an issue," he said.
* Showalter rented an apartment in New York while he managed the Yankees, figuring it was a good idea, but he bought homes in Arizona and Texas. He plans to have a permanent residence in Baltimore.
Roch,
Any idea how many "nuggets" Buck thinks the O's currently possess?
Buck sounds just like Billy Bob Thornton.
Hey Roch, I missed the press conference on TV. Will MASN have it up on the site anytime soon?
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They're working on it now. - Roch
This is exactly the culture change this team needs. Someone with experience, past success, does their own thing, and who will not put up with crap. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Good for Samuel getting his special assignment. Wonder if he figured he would get canned as 3rd base coach in the offseason and worked out a deal to keep the paychecks coming. Well played.
Loved his use of the term, flexible, when referring to the roster. I realize that a few player's contracts expire at the end of the season, but he did leave the door open to really shake things up next year with the roster.
Hey Roch, I followed the news conference live on MASN and watched all the negative comments flow down the side of the picture of the conference. I feel sorry for these guys. Everything is a bummer. We are surrounded by losers, except for an elite few bloggers. They really need to get collective lives. I also thought it was a great move - giving Samuel a chance to work with the academy. That could turn into something pretty good unless he wants to coach again. Finally, I am most sorry that you have to fight through the thorn bushes of these sad sacks every time you post a question. Keep smiling; it keeps them guessing!
Roch,
Heard most of the conference on the radio, I was expecting a more straight forward guy. He seemed to dodge all the tough questions. How are you going to handle Peter ? What's your overall plan to compete in this division ? How are you going to fix the fundamental mistakes this club continues to make over and over.? Did you think he was upfront or was he being evasive ?
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I don't think he's prepared, on Day One, to break down how he's going to fix problems until he's witnessed them in the dugout. And he spoke about Angelos and competing in the division. - Roch
Thanks Alan, I appreciate the kind words and I'll have to admit I'm not used to being called an "elite blogger".
It sounds good for Samuel that he can step away from the major league club, while still contributing to the organization in a useful way. Ironically the O's official site has him listed as 3B coach, along with Showalter as manager. Perhaps that was wishful thinking and what they originally allowed for.
The nod to Oates sounds like a touching reason to wear #26. If he can be anything like Oates he'll be good for this organization. I guess it's a good thing that Cla Meredith wasn't in Baltimore wearing that number right now, though perhaps he would've given it up without too much of a battle.
I didn't have sound access to the press conference, but couldn't help think that Showalter looked a little bit like a younger Earl Weaver. Speaking of wishful thinking.
Roch, were you as shocked as I was when Buck mentioned Mel Gibson and Braveheart? I had to laugh at the one after all the controversy that Mel Gibson has caused.
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Didn't even occur to me until he joked that it probably wasn't a good idea. - Roch
I liked his "nuggets" analogy very much and applaud his diplomacy in not mentioning specific names when faced with questions regarding current personnel. He is wise, I think, to draw his own judgments in the next few weeks on his own observations and experiences rather than jumping to conclusions based on what he may or may not have already heard. He came off very professional to me. I think he loves competition, wants to win, and will respond appropriately if and when he finds those opposite qualities in some of our players. I don't know that the barn was ever on fire, but I foresee the fire being lit fairly soon under some of our players. When that happens I hope there is no one around to put it out!
Sweaty palms in the clubhouse, I think so. Going to evaluate all aspects not just what you see on television. Better shape up boys!
Bob, questions like, "How are you going to handle Peter?" are loaded. A question like this clearly implies the asker as an agenda and professionals recognize them from the get go. They won't answer them directly, no matter how clear it is in their head because they understand the asker will not utilize the answer in context. We often complain about pro athletes giving cliched answers... they are often in response to cliched questions. Unfortunately, too many fans categorize such as questions as "hard hitting" when, in fact, they are anything but objective. You have to be more subtle than that.
As for the press conference, I'm glad to hear Showalter put some emphasis on the nature of his working relationship with Andy MacPhail, and that it has to be productive if anything is going to be accomplished and the team is to progress. These two guys have to be open minded and work well together. If there is friction between them, the Orioles organization will continue to spin its wheels.
Other than that, I think the cornerstone of rebuilding starts with attitude and it will rest on Showalter's shoulders to introduce something fresh. Those who adapt to his new initiatives will stay. Those who don't adapt will go.
meet the new boss... same as the old boss.
I liked how Buck handled himself with the questions thrown at him. I think this was a good move for the organization.
What I liked more was how they handled Samuel. I didnt like him as a third base coach. I think he tried his hardest as a manager with the chips he had in place. To give him an assignment in his homeland, was both credible and respectful of what he brought to this organization.
Now time to move on and look for changes down the road. This team surely needs a ton of them to compete!
Tom Davis isn't going to like it when he hears Buck said playing in the AL East isn't an excuse for losing.look at Tampa. that tells me a lot right there.This is going to turn out to be a great move but it's going to take a while obviously.This team needed a freash pair of eyes on it. Showalter wil help us get FA's at the end of the year also.
Well said!
I'm tired of reading these comments but it is like a traffic accident that you have to turn your head to. Buck only dodged questions if you are dead certain that your view of Peter Angelos and Andy is right -- if Mr. Angelos isn't the meddler that you imagine and Andy is competent, than the answers he gave would address the questions dead on. Don't you people ever assume that there is a chance that you are wrong? You could have learned a lot from teh press conference --- especially where Buck said that you have to be in the mix to really see what is going on. He should have listened to these morons on here, then he would have known that all you need to do is sit on your couch, maybe get out to the games once in a while and sit in section 312, and then you basically have all the tools you need to be a GM and manager.
OK, O's fans, we got Buck, now to really make the organization top notch, all me need is a new owner named Cal. Remember to include this in your prayers tonight.
Hey Buck! Let RANDY the REALTOR go to bat for you!