Showalter calls out Jeter, Red Sox

I don't recall hearing anything controversial from Buck Showalter in his time with the Orioles, but after his interview in the April edition of Men's Journal, that's certainly changed. Showalter had a few choice words for some of the O's AL East competition (via the Bergen (N.J.) Record):

"The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout," Showalter said in Men's Journal, according to the Bergen Record. "Our guys are thinking, 'Wow, he's screaming at Derek Jeter.' Well, he's always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets -- and yes, he [ticks] me off."

Speaking about the Red Sox, Showalter mocked the notion that Epstein's biggest offseason acquisitions -- namely, left fielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez -- were indicative of the Red Sox GM's savvy.

"I'd like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay [Rays] payroll," Showalter told Men's Journal, according to the Record. "You got Carl Crawford 'cause you paid more than anyone else, and that's what makes you smarter? That's why I like whipping their butt. It's great, knowing those guys with the $205 million payroll are saying, 'How the hell are they beating us?'"

Well played, Buck. Anytime someone calls out Derek Jeter or the Red Sox, I'm usually on that side. I like Showalter's confidence too, and it's not like the Yankees or Red Sox are going to play much harder against the O's than before. If the O's are ever going to make some progress, they're going to have to beat the Yankees and Red Sox (and Rays, for that matter). No one knows that more than Showalter.