Aberdeen IronBirds Introduce Manager, Players at Media Day

Former Baltimore Orioles third baseman Leo Gomez is no stranger to the Aberdeen IronBirds. Gomez, the team's new manager, was an IronBirds coach last year.

Aberdeen, the Class-A Short-Season affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, plays its home opener at Ripken Stadium on Friday against the Hudson Valley Renegades, a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate.

The key to a winning season will be playing to the team’s strengths, Gomez said.

“I don’t see we have a lot of power this year,” said Gomez. “If you don’t have power, you have to make a change.”

As a result, Gomez is looking forward to an aggressive approach that capitalizes on his team's speed.

Gomez got the manager's job after Gary Kendall, who had led the IronBirds the last three seasons, became the manager of the Orioles' Double-A affiliate, the Bowie Baysox. An addition to the Aberdeen coaching staff is Moe Hill, who coached previously for the Baysox.

Other than the addition of Hill, the IronBirds coaching staff remains the same. Scott McGregor, who pitched a shutout for the Orioles against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1983 World Series, returns as the pitching coach and Cesar Devarez will be the field coach.

Parker Bridwell, a right-handed starter, said he was excited to play for the IronBirds because the team gets strong support from local fans. Reinforcing that notion, team spokesman Towney Godfrey said season tickets are already sold out, continuing a 10-year trend. Single-game tickets are still available as well as group sales. 

“It’s a great feat and it’s big for the players,” Godfrey said of the consistent fan support. “It’s rare to see a team with this kind of support night in and night out.”