After a brutal start to the season and mounting pressure from every corner of the ballpark, the Orioles finally pulled the plug. They fired their manager of seven years, Brandon Hyde. That managerial change now appears to be a desperate move to pull that team out of the slump, and to name a scapegoat. Enter Tony Mansolino, the Orioles’ third base coach, now thrust into the role of interim manager. Mansolino isn’t a stranger to tough situations; he’s been with the team since 2021 and has managed in the minors, but this is his biggest challenge yet.
Even though the front office tried pinning the blame for the disastrous start this season on Hyde, everyone knows the problems run deep within the team. It will be a Herculean task to get this team out of the slump, a task that can only be done by someone who knows the team well. And when that someone addressed the media for the first time as the Orioles’ manager, he didn’t sugarcoat things.
When asked about his approach to getting the team back on track, Mansolino sounded like someone with clarity. His message was clear: the time for excuses was over. Filling in the shoes of AL Manager of the Year won’t be easy, especially when Mansolino’s managerial experience hasn’t seen beyond the horizons of the minor leagues. And thus, he decided to be straight and direct. “Listen, luck isn’t the story, but it’s part of the story. Injuries aren’t the story, but they’re part of the story,” Mansolino told the reporters. Perhaps, the front office should listen too.
Not only that, he was very confident about a potential comeback for the team. “I think in due time, you’ll see both those tides turn for us a little bit. But we have to be consistent. We can’t overreact.” Yes—and that’s exactly what the Orioles desperately need now: consistency.
Orioles’ Tony Mansolino on the role he expects to play in a potential turnaround as interim manager:
“Listen, luck isn’t the story, but it’s part of the story. Injuries isn’t the story, but it’s part of the story. I think in due time, you’ll see both those tides turn for us a… pic.twitter.com/iELQiiMEmC
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) May 17, 2025
Everyone expected the O’s to shine this season, and they had reasons for it. They had a rebuilt roster, and the front office had signed seven free agents this year, who they hoped could give them October glory. But at this point, where even winning has become rare, everything seems like a long shot. How bad is it really? With just 45 games in, they are 15-30, at the very bottom of the AL East standings.
They were under a lot of fire for their poor performance, and in the end, Hyde ended up taking the fall for it. Now, as Mansolino looks to fill the shoes of the veteran, it is not going to be a walk in the park. The team’s current poor state will test him like nothing else.
Several bad decisions have contributed to the Orioles’ embarrassing state at the moment. Postseason deals that went sideways and poor performances from the pitching staff are just some of them. Remember how they signed a whopping $49.5 million deal for Tyler O’Neill? And how is he currently doing? Let’s just say it has backfired badly, especially now that he is on the 10-day injured list.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise for a player with a long injury history. These recurring injuries, not only to O’Neill but to many others, too, among other factors, are holding the team back from reaching its true potential. How can the new manager overcome this? If Mansolino wants to put the team back in the game, he’s going to need more than just sheer luck. That was put to the test on Saturday, in the first game since the front office’s decision.
Tony Mansolino’s reign began in Baltimore
Mansolino’s managerial debut at Camden Yards on May 17 wasn’t exactly the welcome he would have wanted. The O’s 6-10 loss to the Washington Nationals is just another addition to the long list of defeats this season. Sure, a 180-degree turnaround can’t be expected from a new manager within hours of taking charge. Still, fans might have hoped for a miracle, but sadly, nothing happened as the Nationals had the final laugh.
Credit: MLB.com
This victory gave the Nats a 4-1 lead in the season series, which only extended the Orioles’ suffering. Luis Garcia Jr.’s two RBIs and their first-ever six-run first inning since 2021 were the most important reasons that set the stage for the Nats’ win. The Orioles’ center fielder, Cedric Mullins, misjudged a flyball was the last straw in marking their fourth loss to the Nats. Did the misfortunes end there? Definitely not.
On the 18th, they faced the Nationals again at Oriole Park, and this time the results were even embarrassing. They got defeated by 4-10, adding another loss to their back-to-back defeats. As for Baltimore’s larger issues, they are now 12 games under .500, their lowest point since 2021. And now, with O’Neill on the IL, the new manager is sure to have a headache. To reach the postseason, they still have a huge mountain to climb and games to win. And guess what? They’ve never made it to the postseason in any year they’ve started 15-30 or worse. So, if they want to shine, they’ll have to give their absolute best. The best time to act is now.
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