BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken Jr. has frequently had a front-row seat to the Orioles’ disappointing start to the 2025 season. The Baseball Hall of Famer and O’s legend -- who became an ownership partner when private equity billionaire David Rubenstein’s group purchased the team in March 2024 -- often sits behind home plate at Camden Yards.
Ripken understands the play hasn’t been up to Baltimore’s standards, which he addressed Thursday morning while attending the Ripken Foundation Nike RBI kickoff event at Memorial Stadium before the O’s took a 4-1 loss in the series finale vs. the Tigers later that night.
“The expectations were sky high, and rightfully so, [with] the seasons we’ve had recently,” Ripken told the media. “I think all of us were disappointed getting off to a slow start. Sometimes, when you get off to a slow start -- and to me, I look at it as the injury bug hit us, and it hits everybody, but it hit us particularly strong. A lot of our key players were out, and some didn’t have full Spring Trainings.
“The season is a long season, and when you get into it, and things aren’t going right, you have to find a way to right yourself.”
The Orioles dismissed manager Brandon Hyde on May 17 following the club’s 15-28 start. Baltimore has gone 12-12 since third-base coach Tony Mansolino took over as interim skipper.
It was a difficult decision made by general manager Mike Elias, who received support from Ripken via public comments on Thursday.
“Mike’s our guy,” Ripken said. “He’s the architect that brought winning baseball back, peppered the organization with a lot of talent. There’s a lot of hope in the future right now for the Orioles. You have to trust your guy, trust Mike. It was a tough decision, I’m sure. I know he agonized over it and thought about it. But I think, in the end, he thought a change was necessary at the time.”
Ripken knows what it’s like for players to experience a midseason managerial change. His father, the late Cal Sr., was fired after Baltimore’s 0-6 start in 1988.
“From a player’s perspective, you don’t really know what’s happening inside the clubhouse,” Ripken said. “I will tell you this group of guys has reacted pretty well to that. They’ve stabilized themselves. Tony Mansolino has done a good job. He’s familiar with the clubhouse.”
The MLB postseason has expanded since Ripken’s playing career ended following the 2001 season. Six American League teams now head to October -- the three division champions and three Wild Cards.
Because of that, Ripken still believes there’s time for the Orioles (27-40) to make a run.
“If you can edge back to .500, and you can make that up in the next three months, and you get close, you have a shot at the end,” Ripken said. “This team is way too talented. I’m looking forward to seeing how they play when they get fully healthy. They’re getting close. There’s no reason to lose total hope. Not only this season, but you’re thinking for the future as well.
“I fully support Mike, as do the other owners. There’s an excitement in the ballpark and an expectation that comes along with success that we’re all going to have to live with.”