Showalter lauds rival Betts: 'Best right fielder I've ever seen'

Amid a white-hot 16-2 stretch, the Boston Red Sox are turning heads, and division-rival managers aren't immune to the luster of star outfielder Mookie Betts.

"I've told anyone who will listen," Baltimore Orioles skipper Buck Showalter told Mike Lupica of MLB.com. "(Betts is) the best right fielder I've ever seen in person.

"The dynamic he creates for them defensively in right field at Fenway is a big advantage for Boston. Special player. Game-changer. The term five-tool player is used loosely. But it aptly describes him. One of my most favorite players in our game."

Showalter, now 61, has been around during his 20-year tenure as manager. He began his managing career with the New York Yankees, spending four years in the Bronx before managing the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and, eventually, the Orioles, with whom he's entering his ninth season.

Throughout his career, Showalter managed Paul O'Neill during his time with the Yankees and faced Larry Walker with some regularity during his time in Arizona (both of whom played right field), which puts Betts in rarefied air.

To his credit, the 25-year-old has been outstanding. Through 17 games with Boston this year, he boasts an otherworldly 1.278 OPS with six home runs and two stolen bases. Perhaps even more impressive, he tied a franchise record held by Ted Williams - one of the greatest players of all time - with his third three-homer game of his career.

Earlier this season, the Red Sox won three straight games against Baltimore, with the fourth game of the series getting postponed due to inclement weather. The last-place Orioles (5-14) have until May 17 before they must face the Red Sox again at Fenway Park.