Meet the new boss
There's quite a buzz around camp about the methods that manager Buck Showalter uses to encourage team unity. The players don't want to get too specific about their team-building field trip on Sunday night, but all seem to think that Showalter has a special skill for bringing players together.
"I think it feels different this spring,'' said pitcher Jake Arrieta, who is in his fourth major league training camp, "mainly for the fact that everyone has sort of come together as one unit as a team. A lot of relationships have already started to build. I think it's unusual to see that this early."
New third baseman Mark Reynolds described the Sunday night trip to a local movie theater as very "cool."
"We went to the theater, and he sat us down and went through some general things and he had a little motivational video for us,'' Reynolds said. "Too bad we didn't have a game last night, because most of us were ready to roll."
The first full-squad workout yesterday brought all the players together on the field, and one major difference is the way Showalter expects the pitchers and catchers -- who have been working out for a week -- to help put the position players through the drills.
"I guess it's unusual to have the camp run through us,'' Arrieta said, "but when you think about it, everything kind of happens on our cue. If we are able to run these kinds of things correctly and let the position guys follow our lead, it makes Buck's job easier and [John Russell's] job easier. They have put the responsibility squarely on our shoulders, and that's what the pitchers and catchers should want."
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Comments
I mentioned earlier that it would be awesome to give fans a chance to watch the video, too.
Thinking more about it, it might be more awesome if they played in on the jumbotron on Opening Day- for both the fans and players.
Posted by: Greg | February 21, 2011 3:11 PM
I don't agree. I don't think fans and media types need to know EVERYTHING that goes on between managers and players. This was a bonding experience for THEM...NOT US...
Posted by: keith | February 21, 2011 4:03 PM
Why does everyone want to see this video? Its not for anyone else but the players. Which means you are never going to see it. Thats like saying I wish I could sit in the front office meetings with buck showalter and get his thoughts on trade possibilities. Yea, it would be cool. So would a million bucks.
How about we just prepare for a season that doesnt completely blow. You know, just this once.
Glad to know we have professional talent in the FO and management. I mean, do we really need to beat around the bush on why we have had such crappy seasons for the past 13 years?
Showalter has some intertesting quirks and it is going to be fun learning about his versions of the 'tomato garden' over the years. Maybe without as much lewd language as another infamous O's manager.
Posted by: Patrick | February 21, 2011 4:20 PM
Well, I sorta agree with both of you.
On the one hand, Keith is right when he says we as fans don't really need to know everything that goes on between managers and players. He's right when he says that it was a bonding experience fore them, not us. Even in this twitter age, some things are best not put out for public consumption.
On the other hand, this is a unique time. This is not a franchise coming off repeated playoff runs, or even a string of run of the mill winning seasons. This is without a doubt the best Orioles team, on paper, since the 1997 wire-to-wire champs. But, after year after year of losing since then, it's very difficult for fans, even the most optimistic, to get terribly excited about this year's edition. It's kind of like a wait and see attitude. So, if the club wants us to get as excited as the players and manager seem to be, then they have to throw us a bone. That video would be a good start.
Posted by: ken | February 21, 2011 5:05 PM
@ keith -- I know what you're saying and there's some truth to it, but Greg has a point too. Consider...
The film as a bonding experience between managers and players has already happened. That's a one-shot deal, and whatever value it has on bringing the team closer has already occurred. Buck's not going to be showing it again.
Based on what Reynolds is quoted as saying, it had a very positive effect, really pumping up the players.
Now, let's fast forward to opening day. At some point (maybe before or after the introduction of the players) the video's shown on the Jumbotron before a packed house (and posted during or after the game online and on TV).
Who's to say the effect wouldn't be to help bond the crowd with the players with the implicit message being "Things are going to be different at OPACY this season--a whole lot different!"
If this fires up Oriole fans, that can only be a positive, because the team will have stronger backing for home games.
Posted by: Ken Francis | February 21, 2011 5:21 PM
Finally for t he Os, the Who were wrong......Not the same as the old boss.
Posted by: skins_fan | February 21, 2011 6:21 PM
What happens behind closed doors, is between Showalter and the players. Isn't that the whole point of a closed door meeting? I think the media would have been invited, if it was Bucks intention for the general public to know what was said.
Posted by: chris in sd | February 21, 2011 7:56 PM
Let them watch the video, I'll be happy to see how they play on the field. This is the most optimistic I have felt going into spring in many years. This is going to be the year the hated streak finally ends at the very least, maybe more.
If it works and the team responds to it, the team will doubtless sell the DVD's for a premium price at the end of the season.
Posted by: Roy | February 21, 2011 8:19 PM