Holiday wishes for the Orioles and their fans

In this holiday season, best wishes to everyone who has read and commented, and here are thoughts about what may make appropriate gifts to those in the Orioles’ world.

For Trey Mancini, complete health and gratitude from Oriole fans for showing us how to conduct ourselves in a most awful year for you, personally and professionally. And, the hope that you’ll have a productive year and fans can enjoy your heroics with the Orioles throughout 2021.

Brandon Hyde deserves a year without tumult, some more wins and a chance to manage the team as it becomes more competitive.

For Mike Elias, a step away from building an elite talent base toward watching that base deliver.

To the Orioles’ new shortstop, whoever that may be, to be as cherished as much as José Iglesias was. No Oriole seemed to make as dramatic an impact in so short a time.

A happy and healthy holiday season to Austin Hays. Oriole fans hope that 2021 is the year that you’ll be healthy throughout.

For César Valdez, a chance to stay in the big leagues for an entire season, and thanks for the enjoyment your provided in 2020. It was fun to watch someone get batters out without throwing 98.

Maybe Cedric Mullins has a lot more bunt base hits, stolen bases and excellent plays in center field in 2021. Fans would like that.

John Means deserves a season full of performances like he delivered in September.

Alex Cobb’s final season with the Orioles should be a healthy one, fans hope, and maybe he will be rewarded with a July trade to a contender.

Oriole fans want to see Adley Rutschman make his debut in 2021, and want him to live up to the hype of a top overall draft pick.

At the end of 2020, Dean Kremer and Keegan Akin showed glimpses of why they were highly thought of. You can hope that 2021 will bring a full season of strong starts.

Hanser Alberto won over Oriole fans with his joy and generosity. Here’s hoping to a return to the team or a landing place with a team that you can help take to the postseason.

For the new third base coach, lots of runners for you to wave home, and for hitting coach Don Long, many hands to shake after those runs score.

Chris Holt is the Orioles’ eighth pitching coach in a decade. Fans hope he’ll be the last new one for many years.

Anthony Santander had a strong 2020 until he injured his oblique. For the Most Valuable Oriole, a stronger 2021.

DJ Stewart excited the faithful with a barrage of home runs in September. May there be more in 2021.

Chris Davis has become a polarizing figure in Birdland. May he find peace in 2021.

Pedro Severino and Chance Sisco need to have big seasons in 2021. With Rutschman’s arrival not far behind, he’ll need a useful backup and good catchers are hard to find.

Ryan Mountcastle had a terrific debut in 2020, and here’s to a Rookie of the Year award in 2021.

Renato Núñez hit 43 home runs in 2019 and 2020. May he hit at least that many next season  in his new baseball home.

Pat Valaika surprised many with his production in 2020, and here’s to more surprises in the coming year.

Tanner Scott finally fulfilled his promise in 2020. May that fulfillment continue in 2021. May Hunter Harvey join Scott in the fulfillment department next year. Dillon Tate gets the same wish.

Paul Fry is now the bullpen veteran. For Fry and Shawn Armstrong, chances to appear in meaningful situations and to pass along your experience to younger pitchers.

For Rylan Bannon, Isaac Mattson and Alexander Wells, happy debuts in the coming months.

Yusniel Diaz didn’t get his opportunity in 2020. Health permitting, here’s to a smashing 2021.

For Michael Baumann and Zac Lowther, a healthy 2021 and a long-awaited welcome to Baltimore.

Rio Ruiz is one of the nicest guys on the Orioles. For you, a better season in Baltimore.

Bruce Zimmermann got to make his Orioles debut in 2020, but it wasn’t in front of cheering family and friends. In 2021, we hope he gets to pitch in front of them—many times.

And for you, Oriole fans, my wish is that you join Zimmermann’s pack in watching games in person next season, whenever it begins.

Perhaps a bonus wish is in order. May those on this list contribute to interesting storylines and maybe even some more wins. You’ve had to be patient these last few years, and may 2021 give you reason to believe that some of your Oriole wishes will soon come true.