A CUP of JOE in the SHOW Report #93....Do I go Left-Hander or Right-Hander...Do I call the Pen and go Righty...Do I sit my #3 Hole Today...Where did I put my LIne Up Card? Are We Good ..Are We Bad.. We going to Post Season?...The TOP THREE for AL SKIP of the YEAR through Mid-August 2012

The Day to Day Operations for a Manager in the Show can be a Grind and Taxing. Your Line Up Card, is my Rotation set for the upcoming 4-Game Set, did I pay the Cell Bill, forgot to pay the Water and Electric, my #3 Hitter needs a Rest but it is a big Series and we have to be at Full Strength.  The Tribes and Tribulations for the Skipper and not even talking the Travel but it what they signed up for.

For the 2012 Season in the Show these Top 3 Managers have stood above and beyond the Call from the Pen to put their Teams and Organization in Place to do Big Things in 2012. Its not always about the Record but the Overall Body of Work and Yes at the End of the Day it would be nice to be in 1st Place in the Division or the Wild Card.

The 2012 Top 3 Skips in the Show on the Junior Circuit sponsored by...Big Market or Small Market ...I and We will get it Done in 2012 as a Team...for Better or for Worse:

1. Buck Showalter ORIOLES (64-55, 3rd in AL East, Tied for 1st in AL Wild Card): He has guided this Team from start to Finish and yes he has OF Star Adam Jones and 5-Star Relief Man Jim Johnson. But name someone else on that O's Roster and they all have collectively been playing at a High Level in a Division manned by the Bronx Bombers, Rays, and Carmines. Showalter is my Pick for 2012 AL Skip,of the Year thus far.

2. Robin Ventura PALE HOSE (65-53, 1st in AL Central, #3 Seed in the AL Overall): The 80s College Baseball Player of the Year for the Stillwater University Cowboys has took his Demeanor and Baseball Smarts to the Tune of a 1st Year Top Dawg. Most People said Robin might be too quiet but looking at it he is a Players Manager and knows what is expected of everyone. Yes 1B/DH Adam Dunn, PAULIE (who just came off the 15-DL), and A.J. have been carrying the Offense along with Blue Hays Castoff Alex Rios. But to lose Ozzie as Skip and Buerhle as the #1 in that Rotation...the Pale Hose have exceeded Expectations for everyone Outside the Club house.

3. Bob Melvin ATHLETICS (63-55, #2 in AL West, and #2 in AL Wild Card): Former MLB Back Stop has been what the Doctor Ordered and what ever he Ordered was right after All-Star Break 2012 when the Athletics got hot. They have been doing with Pitching as the Starters went 19-5 in July with a 3.19 ERA in 24 Starts. In August they have tailed off a bit going 7-8 with a 3.87 ERA. But put the Two Records together since All-Star Break that is 26-13 with a combined 3.50 ERA. What ever buttons he is pushing they are the Right Buttons.

The Race is going to be between Buck and Robin and it will go down to late September or maybe even who gets in or who doesn't get in. O's trying to hold onto Wild Card and Pale Hose trying to satve off the Tigers among others.

Note: Numbers from MLB.com