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Geraldo Rivera appeared on the O’Reilly Show yesterday comparing Roger Clemens attorney with the attorney for Mark McGwire. Geraldo’s position was that Rusty Hardin, Clemens’ attorney, should be disbarred for allowing his client to testify. He said that Hardin is responsible for Clemens’ federal indictment yesterday for allegedly lying to Congress.

Geraldo’s position, like so many others including that of Major League Baseball, is that Clemens lied because he used steroids while winning some or all of his record-breaking seven Cy Young Awards as one of baseball’s two best pitchers.

The period in question was when his trainer Brian McNamee alleged he was injecting Clemens with steroids between 1998 and 2001, when Clemens won two of his seven Cy Young Awards.

Clemens was “convicted” on steroid charges by George Mitchell, former Senate Majority Leader, who was hired by Major League Baseball to do a report on steroid use in baseball. 

Clemens was singled out by name 82 times in the 409-page report, compiled by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell. Much of the information on Clemens came from his former trainer, Brian McNamee, once the Yankees’ strength and conditioning coach.

The use of largely one witness against Clemens to name him so many times in a report could leave the impression that Clemens is banking on proving McNamee is lying. And the “conviction” was done with little or no defense other than Clemens’ adamant denials of the charges of his alleged steroid use.

Are Geraldo, Mitchell, and MLB right even regarding Clemens’ steriod use? Is Geraldo right regarding the disbarring of Clemens’ attorney Rusty Hardin?

The first is yet to be decided. Famous people are often proved right in jury trials. Some say that they have the advantage because of their fame. The best example of this preference could be OJ Simpson. Yet, even in OJ’s case, the glove incident was tantamount to the win by the defense team he hired.

If this proves to end up being Clemens against McNamee, the defense could hold more of the cards than we know. Only a trial seems inevitable here. Not the outcome. The outcomes of jury trials are often a toss-up depending on what the two sides, the prosecution and defense, are able to get before the jury and the jury’s impression of the witnesses.

As far as the claim that Rusty Hardin should be disbarred, Geraldo is completely wrong.

His claim was that Clemens should have been handled in the same way as Mark McGuire. This means that he has both convicted Clemens before trial, wants the public to believe that attorneys have control of clients, and claims that the failure of Hardin to get his client to act in a certain way is a basis for disbarment. As an attorney himself, he knows full well that this is far from the truth.

Clemens is yet to be convicted. For this alone, despite the evidence largely from McNamee whose testimony is likely impeachable (that is can be attacked as wrong) in various ways, Geraldo is subject to some form of opprobrium because he knows full well that a trial can result in Clemens’ vindication.

But there are two more, far more grievous aspects of Geraldo’s statements.

The claim that Hardin should be able to control his client is complete nonsense. Clemens dictates the grounds of his defense and what he does. As the client, he has largely control over what is done. And he has complete control over what he chooses to do. Thus, despite legal advice one way or the other, Clemens controlled whether he appeared before Congress to testify. Geraldo’s claim that he did not is completely wrong.

Worse still is the claim of the need to disbar an attorney. As with any other attorney, Geraldo is obligated to ensure that he does not mislead the public. Especially, making claims like this against another attorney. There is absolutely no factual basis for his contention that disbarrment is appropriate.

Geraldo Rivera remains a member of the New York Bar. Thus, he could be disciplined if he broke any of the rules of that Bar when he made his intemperate statements. And one of the cardinal requirements is being accurate and truthful. It appears his remarks, as I remember them, missed that mark by a very long shot.

In the end, Clemens has the right as does anyone in the United States to vindicate his name in court. We should be far less ready to judge him than Geraldo Rivera. And if he clears his name, many will need to apologize to him.

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New York Yankee fans have been waiting patiently for Curtis Granderson to figure himself out and it was well worth the wait.

Presently, the hardest stretch of the regular season is well underway for teams in contention, making the Yankees timing for heading into crisis-mode a serious concern.

The worrying began after the Bombers lost two of four games to the Kansas City Royals. Winning games against sub-.500 teams gives teams in a divisional race some cushioning down the stretch.

With the Yankees schedule only getting harder, the added insurance wins are essential, vital actually because one lose could make all the difference.

Returning to the Bronx couldn’t come faster, but what seemed like a god-send in the past, only got worse.

Hosting the Detroit Tigers for a four-game set proved the Yankee hitters could barely make contact with the ball to start the series Monday night.

In the same game, the Bombers two best hitters, Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher, both exited mid-game with recurring injuries.

Yankee fans went into panic mode. Sans-ARod was enough of a reason in itself for fans to worry.

How the hell are the Yankees going to win and who the hell is going to hit?

The answer came Tuesday night and his name is Curtis Granderson.

Granderson is turning into the Yankee hero in a time of crisis, something Grandy knew he owed this team.

Since being in pinstripes, Grandy was not a liability like Nick Johnson, but he was not the stud from the Tigers either.

The all-star Granderson the Yankees craved was nowhere to be found, except on the DL for about eight weeks.

Still, at the stadium fans demonstrated no hostility towards Granderson, but not loving him either. This behavior was way out of character for Yankee fans.

Call it subconscious instinct because now Granderson is hitting and the Yankees love it.

Everyone is randy for Grandy, and deservedly so considering he is the prime reason the team survives this A-Rod drought.

Over the last six games, Granderson has a .364 batting average, with eight hits, two doubles, two homers, three RBIs, and three walks.

Granderson, his teammates, and the fans somehow knew this was no mistake and now we have the proof.

LET’S GO YANKEES!

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The hunt for October is coming ever closer. With each day, it’s becoming more clear who is making a move in the MVP race and who is fading out of the race. Division leaders keep changing and these players are responsible for playoff pushes.

Here’s the weekly update on the top nine Most Valuable Player candidates in the American League.

Begin Slideshow

Game Notes

The odds were stacked up against the New York Yankees before Texas Rangers Cliff Lee even threw his first pitch.

By the top of the sixth inning, Lee was schooling the Yankees again, with a 6-1 lead, posting 11 strikeouts, no walks, and a stacked bullpen just waiting.

Yankees Javier Vazquez pitched just shy of six innings. Vazquez is fighting a pitcher’s “dead arm,” which is fatigue from throwing, but regardless Vazquez didn’t skip his start and that is a sign of a true ballplayer.

Mark Teixeira was on a mini-paternity leave, but is back today and his hot bat is always appreciated.

Replacing Tex at the plate and at first base was Marcus Thames, who was the player of the game by a landslide. Thames hit a homer and the ninth inning single that drove in the needed runs for the win.

I really like Thames because he has preformed since joining the Yankees this season. Thames is like a subdued Swisher, just happy to be a Yankee and fans are happy to have him too.

Manager Notes:

I am not even going to try and dissect Skipper Joe Girardi’s decision making because it gets me too upset.

Still, I can’t help but point out that Jorge Posada was in the lineup for the win last night. Ironically 24 hours prior, Jorge was scratched form the lineup due to a bad shoulder.

Another Girardi move in question is why Curtis Granderson is not starting everyday.

Grandy is used to playing everyday and my guess would be that might get his hitting back on track. Grandy is a talented outfielder, if not the best on the Yankees.

Please don’t tell me that Girardi can’t chance Grandy against lefty pitchers. Girardi is the king of giving too many chances (i.e. Mitre), but obviously he can’t seem to figure out who, what, when it makes sense.

Team Notes:

Just 24 hours earlier, Tuesday night’s loss at Rangers Ballpark was awful, gross, and becoming a Yankees trend.

The bats were dead and Mariano Rivera lost the game 4-1 in the 10th inning.

It was grim because the Yankees looked old. Questions about playing October baseball were becoming doubts, but for good reason.

Then came Wednesday night and all of a sudden it felt like 2009 all over again. The Yankees were down multiple runs deep in the game, but that wasn’t going to stop them from winning.

It was dramatic, old school baseball at its best—weekly occurrence last season that was essential in this team’s success.

Nothing but positives can come from beating Cliff Lee, as the aurora of the Yankee players’ attitudes seemed to resurface. That never-giving-up attitude has been dormant this season.

Never-giving-up attitude was the fundamental theme of the 2009 World Series Champions. If the Yankees want to repeat as champs in 2010, it needs to be again.

Last night proved that this team could do it all over again.

Mark my words, beating the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, in 100-plus degree weather and against the best pitcher in baseball will be remembered as the turning point for the 2010 Yankees.

It’s about time the Bombers started acting like champs and last night that swagger came back.

The improbable and impossible victory also gave Yankees fans some needed comfort and a good night’s sleep.

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The New York Yankees lost a heart-breaker to the Texas Rangers in the 10th inning, final score 4-3.

It’s no big secret that the Yankees are losing, winning only 4 of last 11 games and falling fast.

The Bombers first place lead is dwindling down, now just a half-a-game over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Boston Red Sox are playing catch-up sitting at five games back and also making the AL East a three-team event again.

Yankees starting pitcher AJ Burnett looked really good… again. For how long is a total crap-shoot. The Yankees need Burnett to perform more than ever because he could make or break whether October baseball happens.

The below list could be either interpreted as a fan’s cry for help, or a Yankees what NOT to do rant. Hey, my Yankees are slumping and at times a fan need to vent.

Let’s call it one fan’s observations:

1. If the Yankees MVP is sick with the flu and running a fever… why is he even at the ballpark? Especially when it is 120 degrees? Definitely a bad idea to pinch-hit Robinson Cano in the 6th inning.

2. Skipper Joe Girardi decides to NOT start Jorge Posada, when Mark Teixeira is in NYC as his wife had a baby boy and Cano is “out” with the flu… great idea. Girardi then claims that Posada’s shoulder hurt in the post-game, but he looked like he was fibbing and it was obvious.

3. Nick Swisher cannot be the only player that hits, with flashes of A-Rod on occasion. Hope Tex jumped on a plane to Texas because the team needs him NOW, more than ever.

4. Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns have been Yankees for two weeks. GM Brian Cashman gave the impression that the two were to give the Yankees bench-depth down the stretch, so why is Girardi playing them so much? Since the day these two showed-up have things started to collapse. Kind-of ironic timing, don’t you think? Playing Granderson and Gardner everyday worked better and the proof is the team was winning.

5. In 2009, the Yankees were the kings of the walk-off wins. The Yankees had more fight in their eyes, which the Rangers and Red Sox seem to have stolen.

6. Girardi has acquired a smirk on his face and I don’t know what to think of it. It started in Tampa in the third game of the series, which was on the line as both teams had taken a game. Girardi look liked he was testing things out. Why the hell else would Lance Berkman be playing first base in a spilt series with the Rays? I presumed the Yankees would put their best players out there to get a win and that was not the case. It was thoroughly disappointing, shocking and cocky of Girardi.

7. This is short and sweet. Don’t leave runners stranded on-base. It is unacceptable going 0-9 and ditching 11 teammates on the pads against the Red Sox; in a game the Bombers should have won.

Am I turning into a hater-fan?

Not at all, just a frustrated one.

One team in the AL East will not make the post-season. Whoever it may be, their fans will be heartbroken.

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I have witnessed Cliff Lee torment my New York Yankees at the Stadium while he was a Cleveland Indian, a Philadelphia Phillie in the 2009 World Series, and recently a Seattle Mariner.

Now Lee is a Texas Ranger, but his uniform is irrelevant because most Yankees fans have no problem identifying Lee on the mound. I still remember our first encounter, like it was yesterday.

It was May 7, 2008 and I was bringing one of my best friends to her first Yankees game at the Old Stadium. Bringing a virgin is always a treat because the Yankees usually impress newbies.

Not that day, as the Yankees went hitless. More precisely, the bats made contact with the ball about three times, just grazing the wood.

My mouth dropped and the Yankees looked just as shocked.

To make a long story short, my virgin-fan-friend was bored and she hadn’t been back to another game with me until two days ago.

Cliff Lee is a pitcher that teams fear because he can dominate batting lineups and makes it look almost too easy at times.

A perfect example is Game One of the 2009 World Series, when he caught a pop-up by just holding his glove out, not moving more than his wrist. The Yankee hitters’ career numbers against Lee look a lot better because a majority of the players did better while on other teams.

Lee has brutalized the Bombers in his last three seasons, regardless of where Lee was playing. Lee in pinstripes seems like a pipe dream, as Yankee Universe has drooled over this possibility for some time now. Lee seems to just go play on teams that the Yankees could face in October.

The Rangers are no different, as they are almost a lock to win the AL West, with no real competition, and they did get Lee at the trade deadline. Lee won the Cy Young in 2008, when he played with Yankees’ ace C.C. Sabathia in Cleveland and won a whooping 22 games.

In 2010, Lee has already pitched seven complete games and one shutout. His record is 10-5, but that is because he spent the majority of the season with the awful Mariners, who could never back Lee’s performances on the mound by scoring runs. Lee has only given up only nine home runs and nine walks total this season.

In his six starts as a Ranger, Lee has faced 195 batters, walking only three, striking out 37, allowing 15 earned runs in 51.1 innings pitched, and sporting a 2.62 ERA. Lee has pitched at least eight innings in each start.

In Lee’s last game against the Oakland A’s, Lee allowed one earned run, struck out eight, and walked zero batters. Expect Lee to shut down the Yankees lineup because he thrives in the spotlight, as the pressure never seems to faze his talent.

In a sense, if Lee wants to be a Yankee, then any start against the Bombers adds another zero to his paycheck.

Yankees starter Javier Vazquez will face off against Lee on Wednesday night. Vazquez had trouble in his last start against the Red Sox, but has otherwise been solid. Vazquez has to presume that he will get zero run support from Yankee bats, so he better wake up that dead arm and be lights-out.

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Intense. Driven. Competitor. Tough. Gritty. Clutch. Leader. Intelligent. World Champion.

These are all words that immediately come to mind when Angels fans think of Darin Erstad, but seem far removed from the vocabulary one would use to describe the current Angels club.

This young Angels team seems long on talent and short on competitive will.

Are the 2010 Angels less talented than the 2002 roster that won it all, or did Erstad and company simply want it more?

Angels fans have been hearing about the “upside” of their young talent for years. As many of these prospects have now made it to the majors and are rapidly approaching the age of 28, many have stopped thinking about upside and are now simply asking the question, “What is up?”

When is Howie Kendrick, 27, going to turn from a very average second baseman into the batting champion he was touted as being?

Will Kevin Jepsen, 26, ever mature into a dominant reliever, or is he the West Coast washout equivalent of Joba Chamberlain?

When is Erick Aybar, 26, going to develop into the leadoff hitter that everyone thought he would be?

Will Jeff Mathis, 27, ever be able to play well for longer than two weeks at a time?

When will this team start doing the little things championship teams need to do to win?

I don’t think there is anyone in the Angels lineup this season that would allow themselves to be hit by pitches 27 times like the 5-foot, 7-inch David Eckstein did in 2002. In fact, their entire team has been hit a grand total of 35 times.

The 2010-version of the Halos clearly lack focus and the hunger to win. So why not bring back the most focused, competitive and intense Angel of all time to help motivate them?

Erstad brought the football mentality he acquired while playing as a kicker for the University of Nebraska to the diamond every day. Even when he wasn’t hitting well, his very presence was invaluable to the Angels.

Erstad wasn’t interested in chatting it up with his opponent when they were standing on first base. He was too busy thinking up ways to destroy them.

How many times do the current Angels coaches have to watch Bobby Abreu stand on second base giggling with the shortstop—only to get picked off?

There is a fine line between being loose and just not caring, and the Angels have crossed it. Their coaching staff should be calling them out on it—veterans or not.

Today, Erstad is filling in as an assistant baseball coach for his alma mater, but it’s hard to believe he would turn down a chance to return to the majors—especially with the team where he had his finest years.

Although he never officially retired as a player from baseball, Erstad decided this winter he would rather spend time with his family than be relegated to a bench player role in the National League. He told the Orange Country Register he would have a tough time justifying being away from his family for eight days in a row for the sake of three at-bats per week.

Angels fans would not expect any less of a statement from a man of Erstad’s character. However, a man as competitive as Erstad can only stay static for so long before he needs another competitive challenge.

Challenging would be a great word to describe the job Erstad would have in front of him if he were offered a chance to help his old team as a coach.

Tweakers who have blown up their apartments cooking meth under their sink think the Angels have bad chemistry.

The Angels can have all the closed-door meetings they want for the rest of the summer, but clearly whatever is being said is falling on deaf ears. Manager Mike Scioscia’s riff might be wearing thin and new motivational voices may need to be heard.

In particular, Erstad would be an excellent candidate to replace Dino Ebel as the third base coach. Maybe Erstad, a former Gold Glove first baseman and great base runner in his own right, might be able to clue the young guys in on why it’s not a good idea to try to steal third with two outs or bunt with two strikes—looking at you, Erick Aybar.

One thing is certain. Erstad would be welcomed home with open arms by appreciative fans who remember how he sacrificed his body diving for balls and legging out singles on seemingly every play.

That mentality is contagious, and hopefully these Angels can catch it before they are permanently immune.

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The Texas Rangers are going to the playoffs, and it is clear they are not going to be happy with just “being there.”

Texas’ nine-game lead in the AL West appears to be safe as the fledgling Angels search in vain for answers.

With the addition of Cliff Lee, most of baseball realizes the Rangers will be able to hang with any team in the playoffs, but Texas is clearly not interested in just “hanging.” They are out to win their first world championship.

This is what going for it looks like, Angels fans.

Not satisfied with winning the biggest pitching prize at the trade deadline, Texas has kept busy acquiring key playoff pieces like Bengie Molina—a World Series champion catcher and clutch veteran leader.

Still not done, the Rangers acquired Jorge Cantu and his 54 RBI to help out at first base.

Their All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler goes on the disabled list, and boom! The Rangers waste no time in picking up two-time All-Star middle infielder Christian Guzman today to fill in.

So now they’re done, right?

Wrong.

Today, the Rangers offered the Florida Marlins their top three prospects for pitching ace Josh Johnson and are still reportedly in the running for Adam Dunn.

Clearly Texas is making moves they feel they need to make in order to compete with the New York Yankees—not the Angels.

Granted, these players are no Alberto Callaspo, but something tells me baseball fans in the Lone Star State are willing to live with that.

Obviously, the Dan Haren move was nice for the Angels, but once again, it is too little, too late at the trade deadline.

It’s a good thing the Angels did not make any short-term moves to try to save this season because it wouldn’t have done any good. They would have hurt themselves long-term in the process.

In fact, Angels fans should be sending thank you cards to Derreck Lee right now for saving Angels GM Tony Reagins from himself.

However, it makes one wonder what the Angels could have done if they would have traded their prospects to supplement the key pieces they already had in place a few years ago—pieces that are now scattered across the baseball landscape.

Texas is doing what most Angels fans were screaming at the top of their lungs for then-Angels GM Bill Stoneman to do.

Stoneman balked at the idea—touting virtually every Angel prospect as an un-tradeable future Hall of Famer.

So, instead of having Alex Rodriguez and possibly a few more rings, the Angels instead retained the services of their “future Hall of Famers” Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis, and Erick Aybar.

They also refused to trade baseball greats Casey Kotchman, Dallas McPherson, Joe Saunders and Kevin Jepsen.

When they finally did part with a few of these individuals, some acted as if they had parted with Mickey Mantle.

Ask yourself this, Angels fans. Is there any talent in that group of eight that you couldn’t acquire on any given year in free agency at a very reasonable price?

Then ask yourself, how often do you get the chance to make a trade for Babe Ruth? Because that is exactly who you passed on, Stoneman.

Texas understands that concept, despite having one of the top-ranked farm systems in baseball.

The Angels should have understood that, but they were too preoccupied falling in love with the fantasy of an impending dynasty that never materialized.

Instead, the Angels became to this decade what the Atlanta Braves were to the last—a very good team that never took the next step to greatness.

Now the Angels find themselves in a quagmire of underachieving, untradeable disappointments. They will now have to buy themselves out of this situation through free agent purchases during the offseason.

Not only have their prospects underperformed, they have managed to turn a team on the verge of greatness into nothing more than a .500 ball club.

As of now, and hopefully before the trade deadline, Reagins should consider nobody un-tradeable.

In the meantime, Angels fans will be gazing enviously toward Texas to see if their gamble pays off. If it does, Angels fans will continue to wonder about what might have been.

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It had been reported over the last couple of days that the Minnesota Twins were looking to acquire a pitcher in order to bolster a bullpen that could use work, despite having the best ERA in the league today.

It appears as though the Twins have found that man. But he most certainly came with a price.

In exchange for the 26-year-old right-hander, Minnesota had to trade one of their best prospects, catcher Wilson Ramos.

Ramos, who will turn 23 on August 10, was called up on May 1 in order to start for Joe Mauer, who was injured at that time.

In seven games with Minnesota, Ramos averaged .296 at the plate with 1 RBI. His best game actually occurred in his first contest with the club, where he went 4-for-5 with a run scored.

However, in his next 22 at-bats, Wilson managed only four hits, and was sent back down to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on May 13.

Minnesota also sent minor league pitcher Joe Testa along with Ramos in the deal for Capps.

Testa, a left-hander, is a 24-year-old pitcher who will likely need more time in the minors before he can make any significant value to the Nationals organization.

In Matt Capps, the Minnesota Twins are getting an all-star closer who will take over for the man who was substituting for Joe Nathan, Jon Rauch.

Where we stand now, Minnesota will likely move Rauch to the set-up role, which will allow Matt Guerrier to be a middle-reliever that the Twins needed.

Capps, who was an all-star this year, recorded 26 saves in 30 opportunities for the Nationals this season.

Matt is currently pitching on a one year, $3.5 million deal, which means Minnesota is likely only going to use Capps as a rental in order to help their bullpen, and give them a better shot at competing with the likes of the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, White Sox, and Rangers in the American League.

Many question why Twins General Manager Bill Smith was willing to give up so much for so little. But in retrospect, Ramos would likely only see the field on rare occasions, especially with Joe Mauer in front of him.

Also, Minnesota has Drew Butera and Jose Morales, who are both young and talented catchers who will be able to fill in for Mauer when he’s either resting or injured.

As a Twins fan myself, I am pleased with the move. If we didn’t have such a stable catcher in Mauer on our roster, I would be opposed to the move.

It’s also being reported that the Twins may not be done making trade deadline moves in order to upgrade their pitching rotation.

With both Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn pitching terribly, Minnesota could use another quality starter.

A year ago, the Twins acquired Carl Pavano from the Indians in order to help out their staff. To this day, Pavano has been an ace for the Twins pitching staff.

Ted Lilly was said to be a target of interest for the Twins a couple days ago, but that rumor has since been shot down because Minnesota is apparently on Lilly’s “no-trade list.”

Nonetheless, there are still quality starting pitchers out there who are looking to be traded before the deadline occurs.

Edwin Jackson, Jeremy Bonderman, Javier Vazquez, and Dontrelle Willis are all starting pitchers with expiring contracts that the Twins could make a move for.

It’ll be an interesting 24 hours for the Twins organization. I’ll definitely be checking the web and ESPN to see if Minnesota makes any moves.

Stay tuned!

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The Baltimore Orioles have named 54 year-old Buck Showalter their new manager taking over from interim manager Juan Samuel.  The former Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers manager had been previously out of baseball since he was fired by Texas in 2006.

Since his time as Yankees manager, Showalter has had a sort of “midas touch” getting the best out of under-performing franchises.  When took over the helm in the Bronx in 1992, the Yankees were far from a championship calibre team.

Showalter turned the over-paid Yankees around by changing the clubhouse atmosphere into one of seriousness and dedication.  Along with then general manager Gene Michael, he shipped out veterans who were unwilling to conform to his demanding methods.  In 1995, Showalter led the Yankees to their first playoff appearance since in 1981 but possibly could have done so the year before if not for the 1994 strike as the Yankees at the time held the best record in the American League.

A falling out with owner George Steinbrenner led to Showalter’s exit with the Yankees but the pieces were in place for a championship run as Joe Torre entered their manager’s office.  Torre deserving got the credit for the future success of the franchise but Showalter had done much of the work in restoring the Bronx Bombers.

He then became the inaugural manager of the newly former Arizona Diamonbacks and with all expansion teams, it takes time to win.  Showalter though was able to do so in this second season in the Arizona desert as the D’Backs went 100-62 and won the NL West.  He was booted the following season as Arizona struggled but again he had set the path to their World Series championship under Bob Brenly.

His next stop was in Texas where he inherited a team of stars that finished the 79-91 while Jerry Narron was at the Rangers’ helm.  Showalter struggled to the get the Rangers to play as unit for most of his tenure in Texas but found success in 2004.  He won the Manager of the Year award as the club finished 89-73 despite a serious lack of pitching and the loss of superstar Alex Rodriguez who was traded to the Yankees.  The Rangers fired Showalter after the 2006 season and for once he was unable to breathe life into a struggling franchise.

Showalter now takes over a Baltimore Oriole team that is buried in the AL East and realistically will never compete as they share the division with the powerhouses that are the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays.  The Orioles have been willing to deal away their best talent every year and there isn’t much end in sight to the club’s misery.

Baltimore hasn’t been able to eclipse 70 wins since the 2005 season and Showalter has a huge rebuilding job ahead of him.  For the Orioles to finish near .500 over the next three seasons would be a tremendous accomplishment.  Especially considering the last time they came near that mark was the 1998 season where they finished 79-83.

Despite the lack of talent available on the Orioles’ roster and their inability to lure free agents due to the AL East division being a perennial “three-horse race,” Showalter is the sort of manager who can achieve steady progress in Baltimore.  It would be foolish to count him out based upon his track record and if owner Peter Angelos is patient, it is possible that Showalter can get the team playing near .500 baseball during his contract that runs through the 2013 season.

To call the Orioles a “stepping stone” might be a bit harsh but it is justified in this case.  If Showalter can make decent progress early in his tenure, there is a strong chance contending clubs will come calling for his guidance.  Once he gets his feet wet and proves that he still hasn’t lost his managerial ability, there is no doubt that Showalter will surface as a hot candidate for future vacancies around baseball.

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