Well, that didn't take long at all.

Have you seen the new Orioles "Birdland" ads? There's one running on the back page of The Baltimore Sun today. And guess who's the focus of the ad?

Here's a hint: short guy, fifty-ish, white hair, no. 26 on your roster.

Yes, to absolutely no one's surprise, new manager Buck Showalter stars in the new ads.

 In the one running today, he's shown with an intense look on his face and an out-stretched left arm, as if pleading his case to a disbelieving umpire who's just blown a call.

"THIS IS OUR NEW LEADER," the ad says, as if announcing a regime change in North Korea. "THIS IS BIRDLAND."

 And who can blame the Orioles for making Showalter the big cheese of their new ads?

The team is 9-4 since he took over. It's playing with new life and a new sense of urgency.

 Coincidence? Maybe.

 But no matter how much or how little you want to credit Showalter with the team's success, this much is undeniable: a lot of fans who were turned off by the O's woeful play the first four months of the season are suddenly paying attention again.

"THIS IS OUR NEW LEADER."

 Has a catchy ring, doesn't it?