The Orioles decided to allow Buck Showalter‘s contract to run out.

Showalter won’t remain in the organization in any capacity – it’s believed that he wasn’t offered anything else – and he flew home to Dallas today. He met with ownership representatives Saturday and had another conversation this morning.

A 47-115 record, the worst in franchise history, lowered Showalter’s overall mark with the Orioles to 669-684. He ranks second behind Hall of Famer Earl Weaver in wins and longevity with the club.

I would like to know if Showalter kept playing Chris Davis, or he was told Davis had to play. If it was Buck’s idea to keep playing Davis when it was clear he could no longer hit, Buck deserves to move on.

Of course, the people who signed Davis to a long-term contract should be watching their backs as well.

Unlike the other clubs Showalter managed, he didn’t lose the Orioles clubhouse:

“Buck’s the only major league manager I’ve had,” catcher Caleb Joseph said before Sunday’s finale. “He’s probably the best in-game manager still breathing. I mean, his in-game stuff is tremendous. I wasn’t sure there was more to learn about baseball at 27 when I made my debut, but I’ve learned a lot from Buck. Just stuff that I had never really even thought of.

“If you’ve been around the game long enough, it can’t really be reinvented. I’m not saying he reinvented the game, but there’s so many things he’s shown just by his actions and the way he’s managed the ballclub that I’ve never considered. He’s an old school-type manager. I love that about him. He gave me a chance. And he stuck with me and stuck by me. I owe a lot of gratitude and thanks to him for, A, giving me a chance and then for sticking by me.”

Some team looking for a new skipper could do worse than to hire Showalter.