Buck Showalter is the favorite to win the American League Manager of the Year. Hes the most popular Orioles manager since Earl Weaver.The Orioles remarkable turnaround probably will earn him a contract extensionif he wants one.When the Orioles hired Showalter in Aug. 2010, he was given a contract through the 2013 season. It wouldnt be smart of the Orioles to allow Showalter to begin next season as the last on his deal.Hes managed three other places. In New York and Texas he managed for four seasons. He had five years in Arizonatwo helping start the Diamondbacks and the first three managing the team.If Showalter gets a two-year extension, it would run him through the 2015 season, when hed be 59 and give him the opportunity to manage the Orioles longer than hed run any other team. Hed also have the third longest run in team history behind only Weaver and Paul Richards.For years, Orioles fans have growled about Davey Johnsons quick exit, and theyre hoping that Showalter is given the opportunity to stick aroundand takes it.Though he hasnt made Baltimore his fulltime home, as he said he would when he took the job, Showalter did buy a house in Baltimore County before last season.Hes been loud in his championing of the city, saying that his team reflects Baltimore.Showalter wont clamor for an extension, but Orioles fans will loudly say hes earned one.