The Buck Stops Here, Hon.

Buck Showalter's presence makes everyone feel more accountable, according to Orioles CF Adam Jones. Overpaid athletes in search of motivation has been a real problem for managers this season, but unlike Hanley Ramirez and B.J. Upton, Adam Jones isn't getting paid in the millions yet. Though clearly not perfect (one would hope being paid $465,000 to play a game would be motivation enough to try one's best) his comments are very welcome in Baltimore.

By bringing in Showalter, Orioles' GM Andy McPhail immediately brought credibility and a winning attitude back to Baltimore for the first time since 1997 when Davey Johnson was manager. Since their last playoff appearance 13 years ago, the list of Orioles' skips reads like a "Who's not Who" of baseball managers. Ray Miller replaced Johnson and Mike Hargrove replaced him. Then came Lee Mazzilli and Sam Perlozzo (in that order) followed by Dave Trembley and Juan Samuel, all making their MLB managerial debuts with the O's.

There were two great candidates for the Oriole job, he and Bobby Valentine, and with his all-business approach, Buck was actually the best possible hire. Showalter was a key piece to the Yankees' resurgence in the 1990's and built the Arizona team that won the 2001 World Series under (and despite) Bob Brenly. Buck will demand accountability from his veterans, be able to help his young players take the next step, and perhaps most importantly, will identify and move young players that aren't taking that next step.

Buck was also easy on the wallet. His $1.5 million dollar salary is most likely less than Valentine would have asked for, is significantly less than Joe Girardi's $2.5 million, and is about a third of the money Joe Torre was able to command from the Dodgers in the best parley since Captain Jack Sparrow.

The 2008 Rays showed that despite the Yankees' $200 million dollar payroll and the Red Sox' continued pursuit of that number, it is possible to win the AL East from outside New York or Boston. It takes a talented group of 25 players, and the right manager to motivate them for 162 games and beyond.

"It's just that [Showalter's] presence, well, you can just feel the change coming. He's been on some winning ballclubs; he knows what it takes. Everybody knows his reputation around here. They know it as someone who's going to get on you, and it's working for us. He's looking at all the small things that are going on, the mental mistakes, and we haven't made too many." - Orioles CF Adam Jones