Full Name: William Nathaniel Showalter
Birthdate: May 23, 1956
Birthplace: DeFuniak Springs, FL
Playing Career: Showalter played college ball at Mississippi State University, graduating as an All-American in 1977. No doubt the .459 batting average helped him get drafted in the fifth round by the New York Yankees following college. After seven years as a first baseman in the Yankees' farm system, Showalter's playing career ended in 1983, never making it to the majors.
Managerial...
The average person works a five-day work week; the average major league pitcher goes to work once every five days.
So what are they doing for all those days in between? Well, it's not all hanging out on the bench watching ballgames.
As Jeremy Guthrie takes the mound Wednesday night against the Blue Jays, the right-hander takes you through the meticulous routine he'll carry out on Thursday - the day after his latest start.
According to Guthrie, the post-start routine begins the afternoon...
When Jim Riggleman managed the Seattle Mariners in the latter part of 2008, he had a journeyman reliever in the bullpen available for a variety of situations. Whether it was for a spot start, in relief of a starter's early exit or to protect a late inning lead, Riggleman could call on and trust Miguel Batista.
Earlier this season, on April 18th, the skipper turned again to his trusted veteran, asking Batista to warm up quickly and save the rest of the bullpen from a 10-run, first inning...
Jim and Roch recently sat down on the set of O's Xtra to discuss the possibility of the Orioles dealing Luke Scott at the trade deadline, which is fast approaching at the end of July.
Jim also asked Roch about the roster move that sent Craig Tatum to Triple-A Norfolk after Tatum earned the backup catcher spot out of spring training.
And finally, the pair touched on the Orioles' probable role as sellers leading up to this year's July 31 trade deadline.
Remember the 1970 World Series Anniversary Auction that put up for grabs autographed 1970 championship team replica jerseys, hats, and batting helmets?
Well if you're interested, the final report from the O's is that the auction raised more than $50,000 for the Orioles Charitable Fund.
In further celebration of Orioles history, the Annual Orioles Hall of Fame Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the sixth floor of the Warehouse at Camden yards.
The...
For this week's 'Where in the Yard?' you'll have to think outside the lines, but don't worry, you've all see this particular piece of the Yard before - and I even know some people who think touching this bright yellow piece of Oriole Park is good luck - though for you or the Birds, I'm not sure.
So as always, take a look at the photo below and let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
And remember, this is your last chance to rack up...
Here in this Nats Buzz space, I often have the opportunity to write about the many ways that Nationals players and front office staff give back to the community around Nationals Park and in the greater Washington D.C. metro area.
Well, on July 30th, you can get involved right alongside those players and front office staff in an effort to "green-up" the area around the ballpark.
The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is teaming up with the Earth Conservation Corps to host a NatsTown...
It's shaping up to be a big week for Jason Berken in Birdland and beyond. First, he gets a T-shirt Tuesday at Oriole Park; now a player appearance at the new Sports Clips in White Marsh.
Berken will sign autographs at the new Sports Clips location at the Avenue at White Marsh from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 22.
The Oriole Bird and former O's Scott McGregor, Rick Dempsey, and Dave Johnson will join Berken Thursday afternoon as well.
The group of O's will help to celebrate the...
You asked (through Ben Goessling's in-game chats), and Nats Buzz answered. We'll try to do more of these throughout the season, featuring new faces and players who you don't usually hear much about.
First up is Joel Peralta, new to the organization after stints with the Angels, Royals and Rockies. Peralta was called up to join the Nationals on June 21st after going 2-0 with 20 saves and a 1.08 ERA in 28 appearances with the Syracuse Chiefs.
Since the callup, Peralta has pitched in 13...
Join Nationals president Stan Kasten and ESPN 980 personalities Thom Loverro and Kevin Sheehan for "Lunch with a Legend" on Wednesday.
Kasten, a true "legend" in sports entertainment and business, will be the special guest at Morton's on Connecticut Ave. This event is part of a continuing series.
The $40 tickets include a salad, main course, sides and dessert and the opportunity to participate in and watch the live show. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. with a reception. Lunch and...
Tuesday, July 20 isn't just Jason Berken T-Shirt Tuesday at Camden Yards - and I'm not just talking about the fact that it's also Ollie's Bargain Night.
Before O's fans get to the ballpark to collect their T-shirt giveaway Tuesday night, First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama will visit the Yard to announce a new joint initiative between Major League Baseball, the MLB Player's Association, and the White House.
Following the announcement, Orioles and Rays players will conduct...
Welcome back for another week of 'Where in the Yard?' here in the Orioles Buzz. With the O's home all week against Tampa Bay and Minnesota, you'll even have the chance to make your way to the Yard to spot this week's image!
Though many of you know the drill, if you're joining us for the first time, the 'Where in the Yard?' photo contest goes something like this:
Take a look a the photo below and let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden...
When baseball resumes after the All-Star break, the O's kick off the second half with a 10-game homestand against Toronto, Tampa, and Minnesota.
During that homestand, things will be busy here in Birdland. Check out the list of O's events and promo nights coming up in the days just after the All-Star break:
Fri, July 16: Fireworks Night
Sat, July 17: Replica Brooks Robinson Jersey
(Click here for info on a change to this giveaway)
Sun, July 18: Kids Batting Helmet
Tue, July 20: Jason...
On Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., MASN will re-air Stephen Strasburg's debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of the network's Nationals Classics programming. It's the perfect way to enjoy the All-Star break. Watch as the rookie phenom strikes out 14 and picks up his first major league win.
The game will re-air again on Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m.
The Nationals also announced that they will distribute commemorative DVD copies of Stephen Strasburg's historic debut to the first...
In the first ever fan vote for a Nationals bobblehead, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez prevailed over teammates, mascots and the manager.
Pudge will be honored with a bobblehead on Saturday, August 28th when the Nationals face the St. Louis Cardinals. The first 15,000 fans will receive the bobblehead, so plan to arrive early.
Fans voted online for this fan choice bobblehead between March and April. The Fan Choice bobblehead is the last in a three-part series. First was Ryan Zimmerman's Gold...
With the All-Star break bringing our first half of the season to a close, Nats Buzz tallied up the totals for both the Where at Nats Park contest and Fantasy Baseball. And now, we have two winners to congratulate.
Shoshana and Terp4Life, your prize packs will be on their way out shortly. Please send your mailing address to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Shoshana crushed the competition in Where at Nats Park. She scored 10 points so far this season. NatsFan1a and Cheryl were close...
If you're thinking it feels like a long time since the O's have brought fans of Birdland together at the Yard, you're not the only one. The Birds embarked on a ten-game road trip following the completion of a nine-game homestand against the Marlins, Nats, and A's that ended on July 1.
With the All-Star break upon us, it'll be a few more days before we're back at the Yard for Orioles baseball, but we make sure to visit Oriole Park here in the Orioles Buzz every Monday morning with the...
On Saturday, General Manager Mike Rizzo announced that Jesus Flores experienced another setback in his long road back to the big leagues, saying the team will give Flores several days off from his throwing program after he recently experienced pain, once again, in his shoulder.
Flores hasn't played with the team regularly for over a year and he's been rehabbing his shoulder since he had surgery to repair a torn labrum last September. The Nationals had hoped Flores would be ready by Opening...
On Sunday, the Nationals teamed up with the USO and Microsoft for an all-out military appreciation day to say thank you to local servicemen and women who continue to make sacrifices overseas and here at home.
"This is a big deal for us," said USO Metro DC president Elaine Rogers. "It's a great way for volunteers to come together to say thank you to our troops and their families."
Wounded warriors were treated to a special pre-game BBQ while over 100 volunteers made care packages for...
Have you seen the new Orioles team page on MASNsports.com?
O's and Nats team pages have been in the works since our redesign brought forth a new look on MASNsports.com near the start of the 2010 baseball season, and they've arrived in style.
If you click on the Orioles tab (or the "Orioles Section" from the dropdown menu that appears when you scroll over the O's tab), you'll find our whole range of O's coverage all in one place.
Scores, recent videos, featured news, links to our...