BUCK SIGNS WITH 'BACKS.(SPORTS)

Byline: MEL REISNER Associated Press -

PHOENIX Buck Showalter, a lifelong Yankee before splitting with George Steinbrenner, signed a seven-year, $7 million contract Wednesday to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks, a job that will keep him on the sidelines until 1998.

Showalter, 39, had rejected Steinbrenner's two-year, $1.05 million offer to stay with the Yankees because the owner wanted partial control of the coaching staff.

``A lot has been said regarding the reason why we decided to close early in terms of naming our manager,'' said Jerry Colangelo, the Diamondbacks managing general partner. ``Simply put, when the best manager in baseball is available, you go for it regardless of what timetable you have.''

Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said Showalter and the team were a perfect fit and listed the qualities he was seeking:

``Someone who has significant experience as a player or manager, a good teacher, good motivator, patient, someone who buys into our philosophy.''

Showalter led the Yankees to a 312-269 record in four seasons, winning the 1994 AL Manager of the Year award. This year, he led them into the postseason.

BUCK SIGNS WITH 'BACKS.(SPORTS)

Byline: MEL REISNER Associated Press -

PHOENIX Buck Showalter, a lifelong Yankee before splitting with George Steinbrenner, signed a seven-year, $7 million contract Wednesday to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks, a job that will keep him on the sidelines until 1998.

Showalter, 39, had rejected Steinbrenner's two-year, $1.05 million offer to stay with the Yankees because the owner wanted partial control of the coaching staff.

``A lot has been said regarding the reason why we decided to close early in terms of naming our manager,'' said Jerry Colangelo, the Diamondbacks …