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The slow and disappointing start to the Orioles’ 2025 season has cost manager Brandon Hyde his job.
The Orioles fired Hyde this morning, the news coming after they lost last night for the 17th time in 23 games. Major league field coordinator and catching instructor Tim Cossins, who worked out of the bullpen, also was relieved of his duties.
Third base coach Tony Mansolino will serve as interim manager of a 15-28 team that sits in last place in the American League East, 10 ½ games behind the first-place Yankees. It was expected to contend for a World Series.
“As the head of baseball operations, the poor start to our season is ultimately my responsibility,” executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said in a statement. “Part of that responsibility is pursuing difficult changes in order to set a different course for the future.
“I want to thank Brandon for his hard work, dedication and passion all these years, and for returning the team to the playoffs and winning an AL East Championship. His many positive contributions to this organization and to Baltimore will remain, and we wish he and his family the best.”
Hyde was hired in December 2018 and compiled a 421-492 record tainted by the rebuild. His teams made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, winning 101 games and the division in 2023 and earning the top Wild Card last year with 91 victories. The Orioles were swept in both series.
The Sporting News named Hyde Manager of the Year twice and the Baseball Writers’ Association of American honored him in 2023. The 2022 club surprised the industry by winning 83 games.
Hyde left the ballpark earlier this morning. Elias called a team meeting around noon to break the news.
“Brandon Hyde is someone I have come to know and deeply admire, not only for his extensive knowledge of baseball, but also for his exceptional leadership as a manager,” said Orioles control owner David Rubenstein. “I am sincerely grateful for his significant accomplishments over the past six years, which have greatly benefited both the Orioles and the city of Baltimore.
“However, as is sometimes the case in baseball, change becomes necessary, and we believe this is one of those moments. The Orioles organization is truly appreciative of everything Brandon has contributed during his tenure, and we wish him nothing but success in whatever path he chooses next in the world of baseball.
“Brandon is a man of great character, and we thank him for his dedication and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Players said the meeting with Elias was brief, with the basic message to focus on today's game and to keep playing hard.
“Just kind of expressed that they were making a change at the manager position," said Zach Eflin. "It’s one of those things where it comes as a result of us not playing well, and you never want to see good people lose their job. We love and respect Hyder and Coss so much, and it’s a sad day, honestly. It’s like, nobody wanted to see that happen, but that’s the game we’re in, it’s the business that we’re in.
"We’re all gonna collectively rally around each other. The thing about this game is the game’s not going to pause, it’s not going to freeze. We have to continue to fight and continue to go forward and do everything we can to play within ourselves and play together, because this clubhouse wants to stay together. We all love each other so much, and we just have to continue to bring that energy out on the field every single day.”
“Obviously, I was pretty surprised,” Tomoyuki Sugano said via interpreter Yuto Sakurai. “For the others, I think they were also surprised, but at the same time, things had to change and they’re ready to go.”
The Orioles haven't hit with runners in scoring position and own the highest ERA in the American League. Players are taking full responsibility for it.
“I know, for myself at least, he’s been my only manager, so hate it for him," said Gunnar Henderson. "A lot of guys know we should have won more games, so it sucks in time, but the reality is, got to go out there and continue to play baseball. Fans are gonna come out and support us. We’ve got to play for them, play for the guys in this clubhouse. It sucks, but that’s just the reality of it.
“We obviously haven’t played to the standards that we have shown. Doesn’t sit well with us, but like I said, we’ve just got to go out there and continue to play ball. Still a lot of season left, so just got to go out there and continue to play."
“He loves his guys fearlessly," Eflin said. "It’s just one of those things where you hate seeing good guys know as a result of us not playing well. So he’s gonna be missed. He did a lot of really tremendous things here. He brought the team up from the depths of whatever they were in here five or six years ago, so great man, great dude, great leader. He’s gonna be missed."
“I think it’s something that you can expect with the way that things were going,” said Ramón Urías. “Obviously, it hurts. I feel like we let him down. Obviously, looking forward to changing things around with Mansolino.”
Mansolino, 42, has served as third base coach since 2021 after working in various minor league coaching capacities in Cleveland’s organization from 2011-20, including four seasons as manager with Single-A Lake County (2016), High-A Lynchburg (2017), Double-A Akron (2018) and Triple-A Columbus (2019). Mansolino also was the interim third base coach for the Guardians during most of the 2020 season while Terry Francona dealt with a medical condition.
“I think he can bring a lot, you know?" Eflin said. "He’s a great leader. I’ve only really been around him for collective about four or five months. I had his dad (Doug) in Philly as our coordinator for a long time and I have a tremendous amount of respect for their family. I think he’s gonna do everything he can to rally the troops and go out there every single day and play hard.
"I don’t think necessarily anybody in this organization wanted anything to happen and it did, so we have to find a way to go out there and continue to fight and work hard and play hard and find our true identity and win baseball games.”
The Orioles also announced that Robinson Chirinos remains as bench coach. Major league coach Buck Britton will be interim third base/infield coach, and Mitch Plassmeyer will be interim bullpen/assistant pitching coach.
Past Orioles managers fired during the season include Dave Trembley in June 2010 and Sam Perlozzo in June 2007.
Hyde replaced Buck Showalter, who wasn’t retained after the 2018 season, when the Orioles lost a franchise-record 115 games. Executive Dan Duquette also was let go, with led to Elias’ hiring in November and Hyde's a month later at the Winter Meetings.
The timing of today's dismissal coincides with Hyde's good friend, Nationals manager Davey Martinez, being in the visiting dugout.
“It’s tough," he said. "Brandon and I are close. I love the guy. We all know what we sign up for when we take this job. It really just stinks. He’s a good man. I know he’ll land on his feet. I wish him all the best, but it’s a tough gig.”
Last night’s 4-3 loss to the Nationals included more failures from the offense in the clutch, with 15 runners stranded, and multiple defensive and mental breakdowns. The last came when José Tena scored the go-ahead run from second base in the ninth inning after Félix Bautista took a late throw from first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and didn’t check the runner.
"Kind of in disbelief, honestly,” Hyde said afterward.
Hyde ranks fourth on the team’s all-time wins list behind Earl Weaver, Showalter and Paul Richards.
Cossins joined Hyde’s coaching staff prior to the 2019 season. They are long-time friends.
“We thank Tim for his tremendous contributions to the organization over the years,” Elias said in the statement.
Catcher Adley Rutschman said he’s still processing what happened.
“I have unbelievable respect for both Cuss and Hyder and the relationships that we've built and spent every moment with them since I got drafted, big league debut and the last three years in the big leagues,” he said. “So obviously, I've gotten close with them and love them and have the most respect for both of them.
“It's tough because you become close with people and you build relationships and have the love and respect for both those guys and the work you put in together. And so it's definitely a tough pill to swallow, just because you become close with people.”
“I just got to the ballpark and heard the news, and that’s unfortunate, because Brandon’s such a great guy,” said Ramón Laureano. “But at the end, we as players, we’ve got to play better.”
“It’s really tough," Urías said. "He’s the only manager I have played for in the big leagues so far, and obviously, I’m so grateful for the opportunity that he gave me. We’re going to miss him as a person."
The lineup posted later than usual, with Jackson Holliday leading off and rookie Maverick Handley catching. Outfielder Dylan Carlson joined the taxi squad, perhaps in case Tyler O'Neill (sore left shoulder) goes on the injured list again. The Orioles are conducting their business as usual, but without Hyde and Cossins.
Perhaps with a renewed focus.
"We respect those guys so much and it sucks as a result of us sucking, but we’re gonna continue to try to go out there every single day and fight, because the season’s not over. The season’s not lost," Efin said. "We’re gonna go out there with our hair on fire and do everything we can to win baseball games.”
For the Orioles
Jackson Holliday 2B
Ryan O'Hearn 1B
Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman DH
Cedric Mullins CF
Ramón Urías 3B
Heston Kjerstad RF
Ramón Laureano LF
Maverick Handley C
Kyle Gibson RHP
