Buck Showalter named American League Manager of the Year by the BBWAA

The Baseball Writers Association of America tonight announced that Orioles manager Buck Showalter has been voted the American League Manager of the Year, the third time in his career he has received the honor (also 2004 with Texas and 1994 with the Yankees). Showalter joins Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa (four each), and Dusty Baker, Jim Leyland and Lou Piniella (three each) in winning the award three or more times. Under Showalter's guidance, the 2014 Orioles (96-66) won the American League East crown and advanced to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 1997. Showalter became the 37th manager in baseball history to reach 1,250 wins when the Orioles won the opener of their doubleheader against the Yankees on September 12. The team's division-clinching win over Toronto on September 16 was the 1,254th victory of Showalter's career, moving him past Billy Martin into 36th place on the all-time wins list. This year marked the second division title for Showalter in his managerial career (also 1995 with New York). He led the Orioles past Detroit in the American League Division Series, the first postseason series victory of his career. This year's Orioles were the fourth different club that Showalter took to the playoffs (2012 Orioles, 1999 Diamondbacks, and 1995 Yankees). Showalter has 1,259 career victories in 16 seasons as a major league manager, the third-most wins among active managers. He is 377-328 (.535) in 4 1/2 seasons as the Orioles' skipper since being named the 19th manager in team history on August 2, 2010. Showalter is the third Orioles manager to be named Manager of the Year, joining Davey Johnson (1997) and Frank Robinson (1989).