O's players vouch for Mansolino, hope he's among candidates for job in '26

BALTIMORE -- Tony Mansolino never planned to be an MLB manager at this stage of his career. On May 17 -- the day the 42-year-old former third-base coach became the Orioles’ interim skipper following the dismissal of Brandon Hyde -- Mansolino freely admitted he wasn’t expecting to be in such a position for at least another decade.

It wasn’t an easy situation to take over an underperforming team midseason.

“It felt like a 5,000-piece puzzle that was broken and all over the place,” Mansolino said in reflection prior to the O’s 6-5 win over the Rays on Thursday afternoon in the 2025 Camden Yards finale that featured a walk-off home run by Dylan Beavers in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Following a 15-28 start, Baltimore is 60-56 under Mansolino and 56-48 since May 30. The baseball lifer already had the respect of the players in the Orioles’ clubhouse, and that’s even more so the case after his four-plus months atop the coaching staff.

“I don’t think anyone wishes to be in the situation that he was put in,” second baseman Jackson Holliday said. “I think he’s done a great job of handling everything that’s been going on. I’ve enjoyed playing for him and hope to be able to play for him again next year if the opportunity is there for him, and I’d hope that they give him some consideration.”

The O’s (75-84) wrap up their disappointing season this weekend, when they’ll play a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. It’ll be Mansolino’s final series as interim manager. Whether they’re also his final games as skipper will be up to president of baseball operations Mike Elias and the front office.

Holliday wasn’t alone in advocating for Mansolino in recent days. Other players expressed similar sentiments when given an opportunity to do so.

“He’s done well. We’ve played well since he’s been [manager], and he’s done a phenomenal job,” shortstop Gunnar Henderson said. “I really enjoy playing for him. So yeah, I feel like he’s fully deserving of it.”

“We all have a really good relationship with him,” outfielder Colton Cowser said. “It’s one of those things that, as players, we really like him -- but also, it’s up to the front office. So they’re going to do what they feel is right for the organization, but to answer your question, we really like him.”

What is it about Mansolino’s leadership style that has won over Baltimore’s players?

For one, Mansolino hasn’t changed who he is as a person despite his increased power and responsibilities. Though he recently stated he feels conversations with players have had to be slightly different, others haven’t seen it that way -- especially because he’s brought the same drive and motivation to help players progress in their careers.

“Tony’s one of the most professional men I’ve met. It’s no surprise to me that he’s been able to lead this ship,” infielder Jordan Westburg said. “I expected him to take over and be exactly who I knew him to be and lead this team in the right direction, and he’s done exactly that.”

“He’s the same guy,” first baseman Coby Mayo said. “He’s very straight up. He’s very forward, he doesn’t lie to you. He will tell you exactly how it is.”

“That’s something that a lot of guys respect,” Holliday added. “He’ll go out there and call you out for some stuff that maybe he thinks that you’re lacking, and he wants to push you to be better and help you improve.”

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Mansolino’s tenure has been how the Orioles have played in the final month of the season. After trading nine big league players ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline and subsequently going 11-17 in August, Baltimore is 14-8 in September.

“A lot of the players back him and say that he’s done a great job,” Mayo said. “We got rid of our whole team, and I feel like we’ve played some of our best baseball post-Trade Deadline.”

Right-hander Bryan Baker, who was traded to the Rays on July 10, had nothing but praise for Mansolino when asked about his former manager 2 1/2 months after leaving the O’s.

“He’s pretty open with everything, he’s a good communicator, and I think that’s what a clubhouse needs,” Baker said. “Him taking over and being honest with everybody about where we were and what he expects from everybody, I think just the entire process, he showed the kind of person he is, which is a good guy and a professional.

“That’s probably one of the reasons why you’ve seen some good spurts of ball out of that team.”

Despite his uncertain future, Mansolino has focused on helping set up the Orioles for a better future of their own. If he lands the job full-time, that selflessness will be a big reason why.

But even if that doesn’t happen, Mansolino’s positive impact won’t go unnoticed.

“He was the same person day-in and day-out, and he still is to this day,” Henderson said. “That’s something that I know we all appreciate.”