Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is having a busy spring training in Sarasota, Florida.
To be ready for Opening Day of the regular MLB season on March 27 in Toronto, Hyde’s squad of 70 players in camp at Ed Smith Stadium must first work on fundamentals and work off any “rust” from the inactive winter months. To accomplish that, they must take full advantage of the 31-game Grapefruit League exhibition season.
Their opponents today are the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have made the bus ride from nearby Bradenton. With a little more than two hours until Hyde and Pirates’ skipper Derek Shelton meet at home plate and exchange lineup cards with the umpires, a meeting with members of the media has been scheduled.
Indeed, the day was already well underway. Many of the Orioles and Hyde’s staff had arrived at the stadium by 7 a.m., as the dozen reporters were busy preparing questions for the manager.
A steady stream of Orioles was making its way from the clubhouse beyond the center field wall, which is also where Hyde’s office is located. Coaches were hitting ground balls to infielders, and other players were loosening up by playing catch. Hyde arrived in the Baltimore dugout, and after finding a comfortable spot in the shade, fit his right hand snugly into a catcher’s mitt. After what seemed like a collective deep breath, reporters started peppering Hyde with questions.
“How is Enrique Bradfield Jr. doing?”
“He will probably play during the game’s second half,” Hyde told The Epoch Times in a group setting. “You never know what happens in camp. We'll find out how much attention he gets.”
At 10:45 a.m., reporters were still seeking answers.
The Orioles’ starting pitcher Albert Suarez had become a popular topic. How long was he expected to go in the game?
Hyde replied that he hopes to “stretch out” his starting pitcher, adding that many of the Orioles’ hurlers have been in camp for two weeks already.
“During spring training, the second inning is the most important for pitchers,” said Hyde, a former catcher who spent four seasons in the minor leagues, reaching as high as Triple-A for nine games in 2000 with the Charlotte (North Carolina) Knights.
Seeing the Orioles face teams in different uniforms was a welcome sight for Hyde.
When asked why there are no intrasquad games during the 31-game Grapefruit League exhibition season, he said, “No need to have them. Pitchers will be getting enough work.”
With Baltimore now in their 16th season with Sarasota as their spring base, the team’s schedule had Hyde excited about the possibilities. Everyone was fresh. Expectations were high. Players were exhibiting high levels of energy in their swings and throws. Coming off three consecutive winning seasons and two consecutive postseason appearances, Hyde, the 2023 American League Manager of the Year, sounded optimistic.
With game-time weather expected to be 75 degrees, Hyde was quizzed on his level of comfort in the sun-drenched Florida community. During five seasons of managing in the minors, Hyde recalled his time skippering the 2008 Jupiter (Florida.) Hammerheads of the Class-A Florida State League. During the summer months, daily temperatures were routinely in the 80-degree range, which was a plus. Coming from California’s Sonoma County, Hyde was no stranger to warm weather.
Hyde offered no specifics when asked where some of the new Orioles would fit in during spring training, as the season is young. Backup catcher Gary Sanchez, starting pitcher Charlie Morton, and reliever Andrew Kittredge were among those who were signed in the off-season.
A relaxed Hyde then took the lead in the question-and-answer session. He asked if the Orioles will be part of the Roku Channel’s MLB Sunday Leadoff Game schedule, where the first pitch is typically thrown at 11:35 a.m. EST. Baltimore is scheduled for two appearances at 11:35 a.m. EST on June 22 with the New York Yankees and July 6 with the Atlanta Braves.
Hyde was also interested in the Friday Night Baseball lineup presented by Apple TV+ and whether the Orioles will play any games on this schedule. A voice from the dugout informed all present that the Apple+ schedule hadn’t been made public yet.
While holding court in his home dugout, Hyde said he had one more question. With the Pirates’ home opener being carried by MASN, the Orioles’ rights-holder Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, the manager inquired who the game’s announcers were. Dave Johnson was the name relayed to him, which seemed to satisfy Hyde’s curiosity.
As Hyde’s allotted media time came to a close and recording devices were no longer pointed in his direction, the manager moved on to the next phase of his day.
He made his way to the playing field and walked among his players, speaking with them in no particular order. Imparting his and the Orioles organization’s way of approaching the upcoming season—one Grapefruit League game at a time—Hyde reassured all who came in contact with him that he was on their side, putting them at ease and giving them confidence.
