In his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Craig Albernaz offered hints on how he’ll manage the Orioles. Here are some takeaways:
On analytics
“I love the information. I want all the information. Those data points have been available for years now, like batting average, ERA — that’s all data points. But you can now get a little bit granular and there’s better information, and me and my coaching staff, we’re going to want that information. But that’s only a piece of the puzzle. I talk about it like you’re trying to place good bets on the field, bet those numbers.
“Those data points help you place those bets. But it’s not 100 percent certainty. At the end of the day, the players go out and play, like I talked about before. So it’s equipping them with the right information at the right time that’s digestible. But also getting the players’ feedback and listening to your players, because certain things might not land for the player or there’s other aspects of the game that’s going on with the player. And that’s why you have to know the player. So analytics is a piece of how we’re going to go about our business in our clubhouse and on the field.”
On making the postseason
“Baseball’s hard. It’s such a hard game. And there’s no level above this … Like David [Rubenstein] alluded to with the Blue Jays, you just don’t know. And that’s the beauty of baseball. A 162-game season is the toughest thing to navigate in sports. Even the Dodgers this year, they spend all that money, yes, they won the World Series, but it was a grind for them to get there. It wasn’t a cakewalk through the 162-game season. So for us, it’s just taking one day at a time, try to win today and have our players get better each day. And then, when you look up after 162, hopefully we punch our ticket into the playoffs and then anything can happen.”
On his offensive philosophy
“I think if you watch the game of baseball, you have to have a diverse offense. I mean, I think anyone would want any of their teams to go out and hit 10 home runs a night. You can sign me up for that. But like I said, it’s a hard game. So for us, we have to be a diverse offense. We have to do the little things right. When guys are struggling or going through a little rut, you have to find a way to keep the line moving and be productive for your team and for the organization. That’s something we’re going to preach, about just being a more diverse offense, and so we’re going to have a number of ways to beat you.”
On keeping the Orioles loose
“It’s funny, when I first started coaching in the minor leagues, I remember talking to my wife, Genevieve, like, ‘Now that I’m a coach, do I have to change who I am? Do I have to change the music I listen to?’ And it was just a joke and laughing, but I’m just going to be me. That’s all I know.
“Players want to know who’s in their corner that’s authentic and real, and they need a sounding board and someone that they can talk to. Tough conversations always happen. It’s a part of the game. I’m not scared to have a tough conversation; I do it all the time. But when it comes from a place of truth and a place of care and love, you have to have those tough conversations.
“Joe Maddon said it years ago that if you tell a player a truth, he might be mad at you for a day. If you lie to him, you lost him forever. So that’s something where we have to be truthful and honest, but also, yeah, I’m going to keep it loose. It’s baseball. We’re with each other 162 games for a season. We’re with each other more than our families. And it’s baseball. And guys play at their best when they’re having fun and just playing a kid’s game.”
Promotional schedule, game times announced: For the first time, the Orioles will feature Hawaiian shirt weekend. Adult shirts will be handed out on July 24th and 25th while kids receive a youth-sized shirt on July 26th.
Hockey jerseys will be given out on April 25th, Pride jerseys on June 26th and Floppy Hat Night is July 10th.
There will be bobbleheads for Jackson Holliday and his dog, Coconut (April 11th), Samuel Basallo (May 23rd), Jordan Westburg (May 30th), and Gunnar Henderson (June 27th). A Kyle Bradish Jersey Hoodie is the giveaway on March 28th.
For the first time, there’ll be a Denim Crab Cap on May 10th.
The Orioles also announced their 2026 home game times. Opening Day is March 26 against Minnesota with a 3:05 p.m. start.
Monday-Thursday games will begin at 6:35 p.m. with the exceptions of April 1st, April 15th, April 30th, July 1st and August 6th (12:35 p.m.)
Friday games will start at 7:05 p.m. Sunday, Memorial Day and Labor Day games begin at 1:35 p.m.
Most Saturday games will begin at 4:05 p.m. with the exceptions of April 11th (7:15 p.m.), June 27th, July 25th, August 1st, August 21st (7:05 p.m.) and September 5th (7:15 p.m.)
Minor league update: Catcher/first baseman Ethan Anderson, outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., left-hander Luis De Léon and right-hander Tanner Smith were named to the American League team for Sunday’s Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game. They play for the Peoria Javelinas.
Outfielder Thomas Sosa has been selected for the Home Run Derby.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.