Showalter and Duquette: On the job for the Birds through 2018

Now that is a contract extension. Both Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter get extensions through the 2018 season, so get used to this duo running the Orioles. By the way, Adam Jones' extension from May also runs through 2018. I sense a theme here. If Buck finishes this contract, he will have over eight seasons under his belt as Orioles manager and only Hall of Famer Earl Weaver will have managed the club longer. We can probably surmise a few things from yesterday's announcement. First of all, owner Peter Angelos and his ownership group are showing great confidence in the duo. No doubt Showalter and Duquette would have been delighted to be extended for a few years and instead they got six. The O's clearly believe in their braintrust. Also, to me, this puts to rest any questions about how this pair gets along and works together. First of all, there was never any reason to doubt that their professional relationship was anything but mostly smooth and productive, but this news should end any doubts by anyone out there. They both signed on for six more seasons joined at the hip, so to speak. If one had any doubts or concerns about the other, I can't imagine this would have happened this way. Stability at the top of a pro sports franchise is almost always a good thing. The O's ship is now sailing in very stable waters for the forseeable future with no clouds on the horizon. For the fans, the news comes bookended by the Nationals signing a reliever for $28 million and dealing Michael Morse to Seattle and not Baltimore. There is a segment of the fan base that is very disappointed in the Orioles offseason to date. Keep in mind there are still almost three months to opening day. Starting then, Buck and Duke will be back on the clock for another season. Then for one after that, and after that, and so on and so on. You get the rest. Oriole appearances coming tonight: The Bowie Baysox are hosting a Baltimore Orioles Caravan at the Westfield Annapolis mall today from 6-8 p.m. Zach Britton and Chris Tillman will be in attendance and participating in a Q&A session, along with posing for photos with kids and signing autographs. The event is being held in the mall outside the JC Penney and fans may begin lining up for autographs and photos at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Showalter and Jim Johnson will appear at the Aberdeen IronBirds' first Hot Stove Dinner beginning at 6 p.m. tonight at Ripken Stadium. Click here or call 410-297-9292 for more info.