Rich Dubroff

Tim Cossins steps in to manage Orioles for one day while Hyde’s away

BALTIMORE—Brandon Hyde is away at his daughter’s high school graduation, and the Orioles needed a manager for Saturday. In steps Tim Cossins, Hyde’s close friend and the team’s Major League Field Coordinator/Catching Instructor.

The 49-year old Cossins will manage his first game since 2007. Cossins spent five seasons managing in the Miami Marlins organization, and he’s determined to enjoy the experience.

“Obviously it’s exciting,” Cossins said. “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t exciting. I never actually put myself in this spot over the years. Pretty cool. It’s the same process pregame and stuff like that. I’m pretty sure during the game, they’ll get going.”

Cossins knew for a few months that Hyde was going to miss a game, but it wasn’t until earlier this week the two talked about him filling in.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

“You just want to make sure you do the legwork and you stay in the pocket and try to make sure things run similarly to how they’ve been going.”

Hyde made out the lineup and he and Cossins discussed the bullpen.

“He also said, ‘Do your thing.’ We did speak a couple of times and went over the game plan. We left it pretty baseline.”

Cossins spent the previous six seasons with the Chicago Cubs as the team’s minor league catching coordinator.

“These last few months have been  in my development career have probably been the most valuable time I’ve spent,” Cossins said.

Because Cossins spent so many years as an instructor, he got away from the nuts and bolts of game management.

“I’ve haven’t managed in a long time,” Cossins said. “Since the start of spring training it’s been fun.”

Cossins’ most obvious task will be to make pitching changes and position player substitutions.

“I think I’m going to do what we feel is best for our club,” Cossins said. “The conversations Brandon and I had before hopefully weigh into that. Of course, in terms of decision making, I think I’ll weight it against what Brandon would possibly say. I have so much respect for how he runs the game.”

Cossins, who was never designated as the bench coach,  but in effect has the duties of one works well with Hyde.

“It’s kind of gone how we’ve talked about it this year,” Cossins said. “it’s evolved. I really like how the information is funneled. I think we have a unique way of communicating on the bench.

“…If there’s a question, I’m going to run to [Brandon]. That’s not my personality. I’m not going to go barnstorm and throw my opinions out there. I tend to wait and hopefully want and hopefully have an answer. I’m proud of the way we’ve acted collectively on the bench.”

Cossins’ day-to-day job is working with the catchers, and he’s said he’s pleased with  how well Pedro Severino and Austin Wynns have done.

“I’m happy with how they’re progressing,” Cossins said. “At the end of the season is when we’ll all look back and see where a player came from and is currently.

“…I feel like they’re prepared. I feel like they’re working. They’re taking ownership of what’s happening on the field which is the precursor to having sustained success behind the plate because it’s really difficult.”

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

Share
Published by
Rich Dubroff

Recent Posts

  • Rich Dubroff

Examining contract decisions by Orioles on Friday; Hays among non-tendered players

For the second time in a month, the Orioles cut ties with one of their…

November 23, 2024
  • Orioles

Orioles offer contracts to 11 arbitration-eligible players, announce Rivera’s signing, Webb’s departure

The Orioles offered 2025 contracts to 11 players eligible for arbitration, agreed on a 2025…

November 22, 2024
  • Rich Dubroff

Orioles non-tendering reliever Jacob Webb

The Orioles are non-tendering right-handed reliever Jacob Webb according to an industry source. Webb, whom…

November 22, 2024
  • Midday Mailbag

Could Orioles trade for Garrett Crochet? | MAILBAG

Question: Let’s kill two birds to tackle the O’s needs in one fell swoop. What…

November 22, 2024
  • Rich Dubroff

Orioles seem likely to bring back arbitration-eligible players

This week, Mike Elias marked his sixth anniversary as the Orioles’ executive vice president/general manager.…

November 22, 2024
  • Midday Mailbag

Will Orioles lose players in Rule 5 draft? | MAILBAG

Question: I see that the Orioles added two pitchers to the 40-man roster, ostensibly to…

November 21, 2024