Managers

A quick blog on two managers.

Prior to the getting a hometown team in DC, I was a Braves fan (mainly due to superstation WTBS's domination of both North Cack and Florida, my two states).  And I would happily root for the Braves to win another World Series this season as a great send off for Bobby Cox.   

Cox is doing a great job with this year's Braves, but always does a great job.  Sports Illustrated recently ran a great piece on his longevity and his record-setting number of ejections.  It's a great article.

After moving to DC, also pre-Nats, the Orioles were my favorite American League team.  Easy to forget that once upon a time going to Camden Yards in the 90's was an huge deal.  Fantastic stadium - full of charismatic superstars like Cal Ripken, Robbie Alomar, Rafael Palmiero and Tar Heels like B.J. Surhoff - made it the place to be for many Washington sports fans.

Unlike many DC sports fans, who blamed O's owner Peter Angelos for keeping baseball out of the nation's capital, I never harbored any anti-Orioles sentiment.  Hard to be mad once you get a team, plus Angelos is Greek and a liberal.  

So I'm happy for the Orioles and their hiring of Buck Showalter - who is 4-0 so far. Instead of nickel-and-diming it with Lee Mazzilli and other rookie managers who quickly found themselves in over the heads in the ultra competitive AL East, the Os went big with Showalter.  I hope the undefeated mark leads to a successful run in Baltimore and that Showalter makes the Orioles relevant again.