Showalter recalls coaching third in 1992 All-Star Game

BALTIMORE -- Even after leading a roster with four Hall of Fame players as the manager of the 1995 American League All-Star team, Orioles manager Buck Showalter pointed to his experience as a third-base coach in the 1992 game as his favorite All-Star memory.

Showalter was selected for the '92 team by AL manager Tom Kelly, but it was honorary captain Jimmie Reese -- Babe Ruth's roommate with the Yankees in 1930 -- who told Showalter he'd be manning third.

"I said, 'Jimmie, I'm a little nervous about this, I haven't coached third in a long time,'" Showalter said. "He said, 'Oh kid, don't worry about it. These games will be one-nothing, two-one, you'll stand over there for nine innings, some guy will hit a home run, you'll go home.'"

It didn't exactly work out that way.

The AL knocked seven consecutive singles in the first inning, scoring three runs and giving Showalter plenty of work at the hot corner.

"Guys were flying all over the place," Showalter said. "I look over at Jimmie in the dugout and he's bent over, laughing so hard at me."

In the end, it all worked out for Showalter. Nobody was thrown out at third or home in a 13-6 win for the American League.

Once Showalter got a hang of the signs -- he said the team used bunt, steal and hit and run, even in an All-Star game -- he had fun in the gorgeous San Diego weather during his first All-Star experience.

"It was just an honor to be there," Showalter said. "I was in awe of how lucky I was to be there."

As the Yankees' manager from 1992-1995, Showalter was named the headman of the 1995 All-Star team.

But, with all the stress of getting everyone into the lineup, catering to the desires of the fans and figuring out who was ready to pitch and who wasn't, all the while trying to keep the players happy and healthy in the 96-degree Texas heat, Showalter never got a chance to revel in his second experience.

Even after a 3-2 win as the head of a team that took a no-hitter into the sixth, Showalter's fondest memory will always be that July night in 1992, waving runner after runner home from his unfamiliar position at third.

The 2012 All-Star Game will be played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday, July 10. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 83rd All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and Sirius XM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com or royals.com/asg.