Tony Mansolino's tenure as interim manager for the Baltimore Orioles was a challenging chapter, and it seems he's still working through some of those emotions. After stepping in following Brandon Hyde’s dismissal, Mansolino faced a steep learning curve.
When the Orioles opted for Craig Albernaz, one of the top managerial prospects, instead of promoting Mansolino, it wasn't entirely unexpected. However, Mansolino's recent comments suggest he's carrying a bit of a grudge.
In a recent interview, Mansolino praised his current manager, Walt Weiss, saying, "Being here, coming out of the situation that I just came from, and I don't say this lightly, I feel like he kind of rescued me in a lot of ways and got me over into this place and working under him and I couldn't be any happier."
Now, let's break this down. Mansolino's use of the word "rescued" is loaded.
It paints his stint with the Orioles as something dire, which might be a bit of an exaggeration. Sure, the 2025 season didn’t go as planned, but it wasn’t a complete disaster.
The Orioles weren’t in chaos; the only real media stir came from Mansolino himself.
His comment, "I don't say this lightly," indicates he put thought into his words. It suggests he genuinely felt the need to be "rescued," but from what exactly?
If he believed he was performing well, who was he being saved from? The players?
The front office?
This remark seems to be a swipe at the Orioles, but it inadvertently highlights Mansolino’s struggles. At the end of the season, he claimed he was ready for a full-time managerial role, saying, "I do feel strongly that I passed with flying colors in a lot of ways." Yet, his track record tells a different story.
Mansolino faced criticism for his management style. His press conferences often left players fielding uncomfortable questions.
His handling of Felix Bautista’s return from injury was questionable, leading to further issues. Communication with players was another area where he faltered.
And, in a sport where precision matters, referring to runs as "points" didn’t help his case.
In essence, while Mansolino's time with the Orioles was rocky, his comments about needing rescue might reflect more on his own readiness than the team’s environment. As he settles into his role under Weiss, it will be interesting to see if he can learn and grow from his past experiences.