The Baltimore Orioles came into 2025 with expectations high after a 91-win season.
The Orioles were eliminated in the wild card but had hope as it brought back closer Felix Bautista after he missed the previous season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Almost two months in, the Orioles have lost seven-straight and fired manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday. While Tony Mansolino has been slotted in as the interim, it’s likely Baltimore will entertain other options. Of listed candidates by the Baltimore Sun is MLBbro and Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr.
Here’s why Lombard should get the chance as well as some MLBbro coaches who could be quality candidates.
George Lombard’s Case For Baltimore O’s Manager
Lombard is a former eight-year outfielder but has been an MLB coach for nine years, starting under Dave Roberts with the Dodgers as a first base coach, where he went to three World Series and won one. Just like the Dodgers continued to build upon its youth and add a wealth of veterans until it was good enough to bring it home, Lombardo could do just the same with the Orioles.
After four seasons in L.A., Lombard moved onto his role with the Tigers. In Detroit he’s gotten a chance to grow under manager A.J. Hinch, and coming off of the Tigers’ best season in a decade, Lombard’s shot is coming sooner or later. He’s even taken managerial interviews in previous years with teams like the Marlins. It’s obvious his value as a potential manager.
“We’re lucky to have him because he’s gonna be the next guy to get a big-league managing job,” outfielder Robbie Grossman said to The Athletic in 2022. “I’m trying to soak up as much information and as much of his personality as I can.”
George Lombard Could Help Maximize Youth
The Tigers are yet another team that fits the mold of trying to build a team with strong prospects, and whether you have quality veterans to accompany or not, Lombard’s proven his worth as a developmental coach — Something Baltimore should look for to maximize Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday and the various incoming farm guys.
Even if you want to look at his personal life, Lombard’s the father of Yankees No. 1 prospect George Lombard Jr. George Jr., 19, was recently promoted to Double-A and is on a good trek to make his way in the big leagues in the coming years. It’s a complement to his development which was very likely aided by this senior’s coaching.
Continuing with his professional works, Lombard not only knows how to win, but he knows how to adapt that to other systems. His experience under two World Series champions provides value as well as the Orioles look to preserve their prime years before it’s too late.
Other MLBbro Managerial Prospects
Other Black assistants that could pop up in the coaching search come from near and far.
With baseball granting a good opportunity for former players to become coaches, don’t rule out the Orioles looking into some of its storied players. Maybe a long shot, but long-time Oriole Adam Jones was hired in January to be the advisor to the general manager. Maybe it’s a foot in the door to a managerial role if GM Mike Elias thinks it’s worth the risk.
Or, call up Dusty Baker. He may block the number, but what’s the harm?
