Exclusive: MLB's fired managers plot their returns after a most unusual summer

They have been bird-hunting and fly-fishing, watching their daughters play volleyball, hanging with their grandkids and attending World Series reunions.

They live in San Diego, Florida and Tennessee, and for the first time since they were kids, were home with their families for the summer.

It has been enjoyable, but sorry, it just wasn’t their preference.

They happen to be unemployed major league managers

This quartet opened the season as respected managers of their big-league teams, but all were fired before the All-Star break, some informed as they were packing for a trip, one after being informed his job was safe, and another on his off day.

Now, after mostly a summer of silence, Brandon Hyde, Derek Shelton, Bud Black and Davey Martinez are hoping to return this winter to the game they love, one that has caused stress, gray hair, angst, heartache – and real heart problems – and they can’t wait to have baseball consume their lives again.

“It’s hard to manage and it’s hard to walk away at the same time,” says Black, who has managed 18 seasons for the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres. “I know it’s sort of contradictory. It’s weird. It’s just something special being part of that fraternity.”

From a series of interviews with USA TODAY Sports, here are their stories:

Davey Martinez was fired in 2025, less than six years after winning a title in Washington.

Derek Shelton, 55, Pirates

Team: Pittsburgh, 5-plus seasons

Just two weeks after being fired by the Pirates, Shelton traveled to Birmingham, Ala., with his 15-year-old daughter, Gianna, for a volleyball tournament.

There were thousands of girls in attendance, but he looked across the way, and was momentarily confused. He couldn’t believe who was at the same event.

Brandon Hyde, who was fired just nine days after him by the Baltimore Orioles.

“Here we are, both fired managers, and we’re looking at each other, ‘What are you doing here?’ Shelton said. “Hey, it is what it is. But you know what, as much as I hated losing my job, it’s a blessing spending quality time with my 15-year-old volleyball player. You have to think everything happens for a reason, so if that reason was to spend quality time with Gianna, I’ll take it.”

For the first time since he was working for a St. Louis moving company in 1996, Shelton was home for the summer, dissecting just what went wrong.

Shelton, who has had vast coaching experience with Cleveland, the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins, inherited a rebuilding Pirates team before the COVID 2020 season that went 69-93 the previous season. It was a painful process with back-to-back 100 loss seasons, and after going 76-86 in consecutive seasons and another slow start, Shelton sensed trouble.

The Pirates had just lost seven consecutive games, and on off-day in Pittsburgh before they were scheduled to face Atlanta, was summoned to PNC Park. He was informed by GM Ben Cherington that he was fired just 38 games into the season.

He packed what he wanted from his office, drove home to Treasure Island, Fla., the following day without having the opportunity to say good-bye to his players.

“The one thing about being let go early in the season is that you not only have the opportunity to watch games and reflect,” Shelton said, “but think about things you wish you could have done differently. You reflect on decisions, relationships, how you can be a better manager, leader and a better person.

“Now that there’s not the pressure of winning every day, there are decisions I wish I would have done differently. I’m not sure you grasp that when you’re managing every day.”

“Sometimes, it takes something dramatic as being fired to have the time to reflect.”

It took several weeks for Shelton to even turn on the TV and watch an inning of a game. He still hasn’t sat down and watched a full game. Yet, he also didn’t want the game to forget about him, and joined MLB Radio in a part-time role while also traveling to Phoenix to work on the MLB Network set for their annual draft combine.

“The biggest thing is that it takes time,” Shelton said. “It takes time to get past the initial anger, the hurt, being pissed off. But then you realize you’ve got to learn from it to become a better leader.”

Now, with the experience he’s gained, he truly believes whoever hires him next will get a better and upgraded version of the man who oversaw the massive rebuild in Pittsburgh that’s still underway.

“When you go through a situation that’s a rebuild and all of the challenges for that,” Shelton says, “it helps you prepare for the next opportunity. You have an opportunity to reflect on how you would have done X, Y and Z differently. How you build your roster. How you build your staff. Everything.

“You also realize is that how special it is to be part of this fraternity. The only people that understand it are the people that are in it. When you’re sitting in that chair, you appreciate all of the other managers and what they go through.

“I’d love to have another opportunity.’’

Brandon Hyde, 51, Orioles

Team: Baltimore, 6-plus seasons

Hyde not only endured one of the biggest rebuilds in baseball history, with the Orioles averaging 111 losses over a three-year stretch outside the 2020 COVID season, but led the Orioles to back-to-back postseasons.

He was voted the American League Manager of the Year in 2023 after leading the Orioles to 101 victories, their most since 1979, winning the AL East title for the first time in nine years.

And was fired less than 1 ½ seasons later.

“I wasn’t expecting to be let go, I really wasn’t,” Hyde said, “but we couldn’t have played any worse. We were pretty banged up. Our starting rotation was ranked 30th in baseball. Our offense was 28th. Just everything went wrong.”

When the Orioles lost 4-3 on May 17 to the Washington Nationals, GM Mike Elias came to his office and informed him that he and Tim Cossins, his close friend and field coordinator, were fired. The firing was kept a secret until the next day when the players were informed in a team meeting when they arrived to the clubhouse.

Hyde hurriedly packed up his office that night, said goodbye to his staff and clubhouse attendants, returned to his condo, and by the following morning was in the car driving to his home in Florida.

“That was one of the hardest things,” Hyde says, “packing up my office. There was six-plus years of memories. We built such a personal relationship with that group. We had gone through so much together.

“Then, it was all gone.”

When Hyde got home, he wanted to watch the Orioles’ games, root for the players he spent so much time with during their rebuild, but simply couldn’t. Not yet.

“I tried to watch them,” Hyde said, “but it was pretty painful. I’d turn it on for a little bit, but then I’d turn the channel. It was really hard to watch, but I had so much invested in those guys, and I still care.”

Just like that, for the first time since he was 19, he was home in the summer. He traveled with his son, Colton, during his summer baseball tournaments. He was with his daughter, Addison, for her volleyball games. He was catching up on everything he’d missed over the years.

“You have a lot of feelings when you get let go,” Hyde said, “but to watch them play, that was enjoyable. It’s a strange feeling being home, but that was the silver lining.”

Still, Hyde hopes to not spend another summer at home – at least for the next decade or so. He believes he has plenty to offer, and of the four managers that were let go, he likely has the best chance to resurface the quickest. He was the farm director with the Miami Marlins and later their bench coach. He was a bench coach and first base coach under Joe Maddon with the Cubs when they won the World Series, and was well-respected in the industry with the Orioles.

“I really believe that Brandon will be back managing soon,” Black said. “He’s really positioned himself to get another opportunity.”

The way Hyde sees it, if he can win with a bunch of kids and a miniscule payroll in the AL East, there certainly won’t be a challenge too big for him in the future.

“I feel more motivated than ever right now,” Hyde said. “When something like this happens, a lot of reflecting goes on. I’m proud of what we accomplished with the payroll we were playing against and the success we had. Managing in the AL East definitely prepares you for anything. I’m glad I did that for six-plus years in that division.

“I feel incredibly prepared for whatever comes next.”

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games record with 2,131.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games record with 2,131.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. gets a base hit in the eighth inning of his 2,131st consecutive game September 6, 1995.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges fans as the game became official to set the record of 2,131 consecutive games played, September 6, 1995.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Kelly Ripken holds son Ryan and watches on September 6, 1995.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles shakes hands with fans at Camden Yards on September 6, 1995.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. raises his arms to acknowledge the fans as he takes a victory lap around Camden Yards.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. hugs his wife Kelly during a post-game ceremony.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd as he is driven around the field during a post-game ceremony.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. reaches over the outfield wall to shake hands with cheering fans as one fan falls over the wall at Camden Yards.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. waves to fans during a parade in his honor.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken, Jr. autographs a baseball bat before presenting it to US President Bill Clinton, his daughter Chelsea and Vice President Al Gore.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. runs around the crowd at Camden Yards in Baltimore greeting fans.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken Jr. tips his hat to the fans in the middle of the fifth inning at Camden Yards.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken signs autographs for fans at Camden Yards before a game against the California Angels during which he broke Lou Gehrig”s record.

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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later

Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles gets a hug from Ken Singleton on September 6, 1995.

Bud Black, 68, Rockies

Team: Colorado: 8-plus seasons.

Black, the winningest manager in Rockies history, was driving home to San Diego early the morning after his firing, on a highway in Utah when his cell phone rang.

It was Hall of Famer George Brett, his former teammate with the Kansas City Royals.

“Blackie, I saw the news. You can come to the reunion now. You’re coming.”

A few hours later, there was a text message from former teammate Jamie Quirk, who told him that the timing of the firing couldn’t be better. Now he can come to the Royals’ 30-year reunion the following weekend of their 1985 World Series championship team.

Next was a text from Mark Gubicza, who was in the Royals’ starting rotation with him: “Sorry to hear the news. Hey, guess what, you can come to the reunion now.”

“Here I am taking a therapeutic drive,” Black said, “and everyone’s telling me it’s good news because now I can come to the reunion. You know how it is, guys are hardened by this, especially your longtime friends, they’re not as sensitive as others are.

“It’s like, “Hey, you can come to the reunion, let’s [bleeping] go.’

“So, sure enough, I did.”

The reunion was the best healing elixir he could have imagined, catching up with old friends, telling old stories, and remembering the good times. It even included a gala one night where country star Garth Brooks arrived unannounced at the end of the night, singing “Happy Birthday” and “Friends in Low Places,” to Brett, who was celebrating his 72nd birthday.

Black has stopped trying to figure out just what happened around his firing. Rockies GM Bill Schmidt had just told the Denver Post a day earlier that Black’s job was safe. They lost 21-0 that night, but did bounce back and end their eight-game losing streak the next day with a 9-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.

He was in his office packing his bags for their upcoming road trip to Texas and Arizona when Schmidt walked in. He was fired less than 24 hours after getting a vote of confidence.

“It seemed like it happened real fast,” Black said. “Usually you hear rumblings. I didn’t hear those rumblings. How that went down, I’m still not sure.”

Black sat stunned in his office, and slowly, players and staff members filtered in, saying goodbye before boarding the bus for the airport.

“That was cool for the players and coaches, one by one, single file, to come in for brief conversations,” Black said. “It was pretty emotional.”

Black, not bothering to pack any of his belongings, drove back to his Denver suburban home, spent the night, and immediately got into his car the next morning for a 16-hour drive to San Diego.

“Most of us in that office don’t like having an elaborate bunch of stuff,” Black said. “Just because of the nature of the job. I just had things boxed up that I wanted sent to me.”

It was Black’s second managerial stint after spending more than eight seasons with the San Diego Padres, from 2006 to 2015, having previously worked as the Angels’ pitching coach for seven seasons, including their 2002 World Series championship.

Black certainly could step away from the game, spend the rest of his life playing golf and hanging out with his wife, Nan, two daughters and five grandkids, but sorry, he just isn’t ready to retire.

He’d love to manage again, and if not, at least join an organization for an on-field role, or even a front office position – somewhere where he can make a difference.

“I’m going to stay in the game,” Black said. “I feel good. My energy level is high. I think the managerial fit has to be right for everybody.

“But I still love the competition. It feels nice to win a World Series. I’d like to be part of another one. Or just help the game, whatever capacity that is.

“But I know I want to stay in the game.”

Davey Martinez, 60, Nationals

Team: Washington: 7-plus seasons

Martinez had just won his 500th game as the Washington Nationals manager and was packing his bags for a trip to St. Louis when Nationals owner Mark Lerner came to his office.

It took only a quick look into Lerner’s face that this wasn’t a congratulatory gathering.

Martinez was fired, just a week before the All-Star Game, and less than six years after leading the Nationals’ to their first World Series championship in 2019.

And, oh, by the way, he wasn’t the only one being fired.

The Nationals had just fired GM Mike Rizzo too.

Martinez sat stunned in his office, and minutes later, Rizzo, the man who hired him, came walking in.

They sat, chatted, reminisced, and became emotional for the next two hours, as Nationals clubhouse attendants hurriedly retrieved Martinez’s suitcase off the truck that was heading to the airport.

“Honestly, I was a little surprised,” Martinez said. “I beat myself up a little bit. I know people said you did nothing wrong, but I tell them, “I was blessed to have this job, but sometimes you have to look back and say maybe it was time. You learn from things. I had a great run. Maybe it was time to move on.’

“I really have no regrets at all. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I told Rizz [Mike Rizzo], ‘We won a championship together. I feel I can win another one somewhere else.’

Bench coach Miguel Castro soon joined Martinez and Rizzo in the office that day, letting them know that he was offered the interim managerial job, but he wasn’t going to take it without Martinez’s blessing.

“That meant a lot to me,” Martinez said, “that kind of loyalty. He’s a great friend. We still talk a few times a week.”

Martinez, who had a 16-year playing career and figures he was last home during the summer back when he was in high school, hung around Washington, D.C. for the next week. He went back to his office the next day when everyone was gone, decided what was important to keep and what he no longer wanted to be reminded of, and had the Nationals clubhouse staff ship his belongings to his 350-acre farm in Tennessee.

“When I closed the door for the final time, I had a little moment where it was emotional,” Martinez said. “I definitely miss the game. I look back, and I’ve been doing it forever. I honestly, 100% say it’s not the end. I love the game. I look forward to my next opportunity.”

Martinez believes the fact that he led a veteran team to a World Series title, as well as overseeing a complete rebuild, his resume will be a good fit for any team looking for a manager this winter. He played for Hall of Famer Bobby Cox and future Hall of Famer Dusty Baker as a player, and was Joe Maddon’s bench coach when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series.

“I went through a lot of adversity as a player, coach and manager,” Martinez says, “and I know how to deal with it. I’m ready for any situation that comes my way.”

Black, who reached out to Martinez, Shelton and Hyde after their dismissals, say they’ll all be better managers having gone through the experience for the first time. It’s the same for Phil Nevin, Luis Rojas and Chris Woodward who also were fired after their first managerial stints and would like another shot.

“You learn a lot from your first job,” Black said. “When they get another opportunity, they’ll for sure benefit because experience is the best teacher. These guys will be refreshed, more confident, more self-assured. They’ll know what it’s all about.

“The first time, you’re not sure. You pick it up rather quickly, but you’re learning it from one organization. Now they’ll go, be somewhere else, and they’ll have a different perspective because they came from another organization. The experience they gained, will really be beneficial.

“They will be back.”

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