I must confess that I missed the news of the Baltimore Orioles hiring Craig Albernaz as their new manager. It is an easy thing to do amid an exciting World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
All things considered, it would have not been an unreasonable proposition to predict the O's winning the AL pennant prior to the 2025 season. After all, they were in the post-season in both 2023 and 2024.
But following a 15-28 start to the 2025 season, the O's axed manager Brandon Hyde. Tony Mansolino actually guided the club to a winning record of 60-59 the rest of the way. But the Orioles still finished in last place in the AL East, and it was clear that the Orioles were not committed to Mansolino in the long term as team president Mike Elias was seeking other options while giving lip service to his candidacy. Despite the fact that Mansolino was popular with his players and wanted him to remain their skipper, it appears he will not remain with the Orioles organization at all.
Which isn't to say that Albernaz is a bad choice. Albernaz, who turned 43 yesterday, was a minor league catcher with the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers organizations between 2006 and 2014. The native of Fall River, Massachusetts rejoined the Rays organization in 2015 starting out as a coach before becoming a manager.
Albernaz got his first taste of the big leagues in 2020 when he became part of the San Francisco Giants coaching staff as their bullpen and catching coach, a role he held through the 2023 season. For the past two seasons, he has served as a bench coach with the Cleveland Guardians under Stephen Vogt.
It's not inconceivable the Orioles could rebound, but they are in a very competitive AL East including the possible World Series champion Blue Jays. The Red Sox and Yankees made the post-season this year and one can never count out the resilience of the Rays. Albernaz ought to know.
Still, Mansolino did a good job as interim manager, and it is a shame he not only won't get a chance to continue in that role but will not remain with the organization. If he is available then perhaps the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies or San Diego Padres might be calling.
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