BALTIMORE—Opening Day was still more than four hours away, and Craig Albernaz couldn’t wait for his first game as Orioles manager.
“I can’t wait to feel the crowd, the fans, the support,” Albernaz said. “Opening Day, it’s a special day for all baseball fans. I consider myself a baseball fan. To be here at Camden Yards for Opening Day, to feel the crowd, to feel the fan base behind us, the ceremonies. It’s going to be electric, and it’s going to be a special day.”
Albernaz was named Orioles manager on October 27th, and he’s repeatedly said how excited he was. Growing up in Red Sox country in Fall River, Massachusetts, Albernaz never attended an Opening Day as a child. He was busy playing baseball.
“It’s cool to open up at home,” Albernaz said. “This is one of those days that you’re going to remember forever.”
Albernaz was flooded with messages when he was hired as manager and he received many pre-Opening Day messages.
“I just appreciate everyone that’s reaching out,” Albernaz said. “You just get humbled by how many people you come across in the game that take time to reach out.”
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will serve as guest splasher during the second inning. Minter and Albernaz haven’t met, but they’ve shared messages.
“We were texting last night. I told him to make sure to come down to the clubhouse and say, ‘What’s up?’ Albernaz said. “I don’t know Jesse. I reached out to him when he got the job. There’s only us and the Ravens n the city. I just want to build that relationship.”
On Wednesday night, Albernaz was describing the Opening Day ceremonies to his two young sons.
“You should do something when you come out,” Albernaz’s sons C.J. and Norman told him. “I was like, ‘No, I’m going to run out there,’ I showed them the Ray Lewis intro. ‘You should do that.’ I’m not doing that. Maybe for the Ravens game, I’ll do that.”
First lineup
Later, Albernaz revealed his Opening Day lineup, with new outfielder Taylor Ward leading off and new first baseman Pete Alonso batting third:
Taylor Ward LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Samuel Basallo DH
Tyler O’Neill RF
Colton Cowser CF
Coby Mayo 3B
Blaze Alexander 2B
Trevor Rogers LHP
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