BALTIMORE—Brandon Hyde was pleased when he learned that the Orioles’ new lead owner, David Rubenstein, referred to him as “the best manager in baseball.”

Hyde, who’s beginning his sixth season as Orioles manager and won the American League Manager of the Year award in 2023, returned Rubenstein’s compliment.

“That’s really nice of him to say,” Hyde said. “My interactions with him have been incredible. He is obviously really smart. He’s extremely funny and witty and such a pleasure to talk to and really interested, curious.

“I’ve just walked away every single time, just thinking: ‘This guy is unbelievable.’ The whole group. I got to meet quite a few of them last night … They’ve been incredible to me so far. I’ve enjoyed being around them. They’ve been incredibly supportive, and it’s been a pleasure to know them.”