Imagine a story of a baseball legend, a man who dedicated his life to the game, and now, at 62, he's about to embark on a new journey as a formal coach. But this isn't just any coaching job; it's a role that will test his skills and passion to the fullest.
Meet Brady Anderson, a former All-Star player with an incredible track record. He once stole 53 bases in a single season and hit an impressive 50 home runs in another. Despite his retirement, Anderson remained deeply connected to the game, serving as the Baltimore Orioles' vice president of baseball operations. But his true passion lay in helping players, an obsession that bordered on the extraordinary.
Ask Trey Mancini, a former major leaguer, and he'll tell you a tale that showcases Anderson's unique ability. It was during a spring night game in Sarasota, Florida, in 2015, that Mancini's career took an unexpected turn. The Orioles, giving their regulars a break, called up Mancini from the minor league camp as a backup. It was during this game that Anderson noticed something special in Mancini.
Mancini, with nearly 800 plate appearances under his belt, had only managed to hit 13 home runs. As a first baseman, he knew the Orioles wanted more power from him. But it was his intense focus and preparation in the on-deck circle that caught Anderson's eye. Mancini was 'super hyper,' adjusting his batting gloves, perfecting his grip, and treating the at-bat as if it were the most crucial moment of his life. Anderson, recognizing Mancini's potential, instructed the farm director to send him to work with him the next day.
And so began a transformative journey. Anderson changed Mancini's batting stance, taught him about weight transfer, and helped him utilize his body more effectively. The results were remarkable. Mancini broke out that season, hitting 21 home runs in the High A and Double A leagues, finishing with a combined OPS of .938. His major-league debut followed in September, marking the beginning of a productive seven-year career.
"Brady was able to diagnose my weaknesses and strengths immediately," Mancini said. "That 2015 season changed my entire career trajectory, all because he saw me take a few swings on deck."
But Mancini wasn't the only player Anderson helped. Over the years, he's transformed numerous careers, and now, at 62, he's ready to take on a formal coaching position with the Los Angeles Angels.
Anderson's journey with the Orioles from 2010 to 2019 saw him fill various roles, many of which were coaching-related. He oversaw the team's strength and conditioning program, collaborated with hitting coaches, assisted with analytics, threw batting practice, and even spent a full season in uniform as a coach. His impact was felt by many, and his resume speaks for itself.
"These people saying Brady had no coaching experience? They couldn't be more wrong," said Buck Showalter, the Orioles' manager from 2010 to 2018. "He's been coaching his whole life, and his resume outshines many of those they're hiring."
The Angels' general manager, Perry Minasian, consulted with Showalter about Anderson, and the endorsement was taken to heart. Even Kurt Suzuki, the new Angels manager, was impressed when Nick Markakis, his former Atlanta Braves teammate, spoke highly of Anderson. Markakis knew Anderson from his time in Baltimore, and his approval carried weight.
"When Markakis mentioned how much he loved Brady, I was blown away," Suzuki said. "When Nick says something, you listen, especially since he doesn't often share his opinions."
Even Dominic Chiti, the Angels' bullpen coach, who had a contentious relationship with Anderson in Baltimore, offered glowing reviews. Chiti, who was Showalter's bullpen coach from 2014 to 2016, admitted that Anderson's autonomy without accountability was a point of contention. However, he now recommends Anderson, saying it tells a lot about his growth and respect for Anderson's intelligence and knowledge.
Anderson's path to coaching was not a traditional one. As a player, he never imagined coaching, but a revelation in 2003, his last year in professional baseball, changed his perspective. After being released by the San Diego Padres in spring training, Anderson surprised the late Padres general manager, Kevin Towers, by asking to go to Triple A. Towers agreed, and Anderson found himself serving as a mentor for the first time, at the age of 39.
Years later, after joining the Orioles in his front-office role, Anderson's influence extended beyond hitters to pitchers as well. He saw potential in players that they might not see in themselves. The Orioles parted ways with Anderson after the 2019 season, but he continued working with players independently.
In 2024, Anderson spent a week as an instructor with the Angels during spring training. Little did he know that a year later, Minasian would reach out, offering him the role of hitting coach. Anderson's initial reaction was one of hesitation, knowing the commitment required for such a position.
"In these jobs, and in life, if you want to be good, it has to become your life's obsession," Anderson said. "I asked myself if I was ready for that, and the answer was a quick yes."
Helping players improve is a driving force in Anderson's life. "It gives me purpose, and I'm good at it," he added.
Caleb Joseph, a former major-league catcher, speaks highly of Anderson, recalling their meeting in 2012. Joseph, then 26, was playing his third of four straight seasons at Double A. Anderson, as the Orioles' VP of baseball operations, visited the team's affiliate in Bowie, Maryland.
"Brady is one of the main reasons I made it to the big leagues," Joseph said.
Anderson took an interest in Joseph's career, calling him after the 2012 season to outline a rigorous training regimen. He invited Joseph to live with him during spring training and set ambitious goals for him to reach Triple A: hit 20 home runs, drive in 100 runs, and catch 120 games.
Joseph was initially skeptical but soon found himself determined to achieve those goals. About a week into the season, Anderson called to check on Joseph's catching, only to learn that the team was using him solely as a designated hitter. Anderson was appalled, knowing Joseph's catching abilities from the pitchers and having seen his skills firsthand.
In his front-office role, Anderson preferred collaboration over dictation. But in this instance, he made a unilateral decision, calling the farm director and insisting that Joseph start catching again. Within minutes, the Bowie manager changed the lineup, and Joseph was back behind the plate.
"Brady was the first to say, 'This guy is a big-league catcher. Let's get him going,'" Joseph said.
Joseph finished the 2013 season with impressive stats: 22 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 135 games played, including 62 starts at catcher. His journey continued, playing in 425 major-league games between 2014 and 2020. In 2022, he joined Rogers Sportsnet as an analyst for Toronto Blue Jays broadcasts.
"I would have stalled out at Double A if it hadn't been for Brady fighting for me," Joseph said.
Dave Wallace, the Orioles' former pitching coach, spoke about Anderson's lack of respect for major-league coaches, a sentiment Anderson shared openly. Anderson's frustrations stemmed from his early career struggles, similar to Billy Beane's negative perception of scouting, as described by Michael Lewis in "Moneyball."
"Some coaches bothered me; some were dismissive; some were great," Anderson said. "I came up through the minors without a hiccup. I don't think I went 0-for-10. And I wasn't allowed to bunt. Then I got to the majors, and I struggled. They wanted me to bunt, hit the ball on the ground, and utilize my speed. I tried, but it was counterproductive. I could have easily been one of those players who played a couple of years and didn't find their stride."
Between 1988 and 1991, Anderson's ages 24 to 27 seasons, he batted .219 with 10 home runs and an OPS of .619 in 1,273 plate appearances. His career turned around only after Johnny Oates committed to him as the Orioles' leadoff man, and Anderson decided to do things his way.
The pivotal moment for Anderson came in 1991 after another demotion to Triple A. He reported immediately, ready to play, but this time, he was done with slapping the ball to the opposite field. He asked the manager, Greg Biagini, to bat him fourth. Anderson stood up straighter in the box, as he did in the minors, not necessarily trying to hit home runs but aiming to drive the ball. He hit 50 home runs in a season only once, in 1996, leading to suspicions of performance-enhancing drug use, which were never substantiated.
From 1992 to 2000, Anderson averaged 21 home runs, and his adjusted OPS was 20% above the league average.
"He talks about his struggles when he first came up," said Ryan Flaherty, a former Oriole who is now the Chicago Cubs' bench coach. "He gravitates toward players who are struggling."
Anderson, however, said he doesn't limit himself to struggling players, noting the extreme highs and lows of his 15-year career.
"I gravitate toward people who need help," he said.
Showalter agreed, telling Minasian that Anderson's worst trait is trying to "save everybody." But the Angels were drawn to Anderson's sincere care for players and his unique backstory.
"I wanted someone who went from bad to good, from a bench player to a star," Minasian said.
The Angels' options were limited, having offered Suzuki and his staff only one-year contracts, which reduced their chances of hiring a more accomplished hitting coach.
Zack Britton, a former Oriole, speaks fondly of Anderson, recalling his time in 2013 when he struggled to establish himself as a starting pitcher and was demoted to Triple-A Norfolk four times. Anderson, on his visits to Norfolk, would occasionally watch pitchers throw their bullpens and saw potential in Britton.
"I personally hadn't heard that in a while," Britton said. "The coaches were negative, and everything around me was negative. It was the first time I had someone talking me up, being supportive."
The Orioles' pitching coach at the time, Rick Adair, was dealing with personal issues and would take a leave of absence in August. Jake Arrieta, another young Baltimore pitcher Adair failed to unlock, was traded that season to the Cubs, where he won the National League Cy Young Award two years later.
Anderson, despite lacking pitching expertise, had pitchers training with him in the winter. Even now, in his early 60s, he maintains excellent physical condition. Britton was part of a group of Orioles pitchers who worked out in Anderson's garage during the 2013-14 offseason, trying to revive their careers.
Britton commuted from Southern California, while some players lived with Anderson in Glendale, California. Anderson also leased houses in Beverly Hills and Hollywood where players stayed, with the Orioles covering their expenses. Ryo Naito, now the Padres' strength and conditioning coach, supervised their conditioning.
Anderson believed in Britton's star potential. Once, he even got into the catcher's position to feel the movement on Britton's pitches, an experience that left him with a sore thumb.
"We had a conversation where I told him what he should be," Anderson said. "Zack, you're destined to be great."
Britton recalls Anderson's honesty and positive reinforcement. "You always knew he was telling you the truth, whether you liked it or not," Britton said.
The following season, the Orioles converted Britton to a reliever, and by mid-May, he was their closer. He finished 2014 with 37 saves in 41 opportunities and a 1.65 ERA, establishing himself as one of the best relievers in the game.
"That was my coming-out season as a reliever," Britton said. "It really jump-started my career."
Britton became an All-Star in 2015 and 2016, setting a major-league record with a 0.54 ERA in the latter season, the lowest in a single campaign with a minimum of 50 innings.
While Anderson predicted Britton would become a $150 million pitcher, he still earned over $87 million in his 12-year career.
Anderson's last season in the majors was in 2002, just as analytics began to take hold in baseball. During the 2010s, when he worked for the Orioles, data and technology became integral to the game. Since his departure from the team in 2019, the amount of available information has increased dramatically.
Showalter believes Anderson will have no trouble incorporating all the data a hitting coach must process today.
"He probably knows more analytically and sabermetrically than anyone a team might have in their office out of MIT running that," Showalter said.
Before the Orioles hired Mike Elias in November 2018, their analytics department consisted of just three or four people, according to Showalter. Anderson was heavily involved with this group and helped deliver a presentation to the coaching staff called "Analytics for Dummies" during spring training.
Joseph said Anderson was "ahead of the game," using advanced metrics to evaluate players. His background in track, particularly his experience training with the British national track team while at the University of California at Irvine, prepared him well for understanding body movement.
"He's open-minded and willing to investigate new ideas," Joseph said. "He has strong opinions, but he's open to learning."
This approach is likely how Anderson will handle analytics as a coach.
Anderson has been obsessed with watching hitters since he was a child. He said he would have been overwhelmed if video analysis was available back then. While he appreciates the real-time information analytics provides, he won't be solely reliant on data.
"Pendulums can swing too far in one direction or another," Anderson said. "When I played, it was too much of an old-school baseball mentality. There was inaccurate coaching that wouldn't have been backed by data or high-speed motion cameras. We could have avoided some of that bad coaching with information. Conversely, you always need to be aware as a coach and player that you don't become too reliant on analytics to the point where it clouds your natural athleticism. The information is useful and should be used, but how you use it matters. We've got to get that right."
Mancini has one more story to share about Anderson, from July 2024, more than a year after his last major-league game. Mancini, who had undergone Stage 3 colon cancer surgery, missed the shortened 2020 season but recovered to become the 2021 American League Comeback Player of the Year. After being traded to the Houston Astros in 2022, he won a World Series ring. However, the rest of his career was less successful.
Mancini signed a two-year, $14 million free-agent contract with the Cubs before 2023 but was released in August. He then agreed to a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds, only to be released after a week. He signed another minor-league deal with the Miami Marlins that offseason but was released during spring training.
A few months later, Anderson reached out, inviting Mancini to hit with him. Mancini, at peace with his career ending, accepted the invitation.
"I hit with Brady, and it felt amazing," Mancini said. "I felt like my old self, like the 2016 to 2019 version of me. It was like being in a time machine."
To Mancini's surprise, the Arizona Diamondbacks offered him a minor-league deal. He accepted and batted .308 with 16 home runs and an OPS of .895 in 74 games at Triple-A Reno. Thinking he might get a major-league offer, he opted out in June 2023.
The offer never came, but Mancini felt a sense of fulfillment. As he approaches his 34th birthday, he's not ready to retire.
"Brady convinced me to go back and prove to myself I could still do it," Mancini said. "He's always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself."
Now, the Angels will experience Anderson's sincerity, vast knowledge, and positive approach. Showalter both marveled at and grew exasperated with Anderson's efforts to help players with little chance of making an impact.
"At some point, I'd say, 'Brady, he sucks! He doesn't have the skills!'" Showalter said. "But Anderson would respond, 'As long as I'm supposed to work with him, I'm going to try to make him as good as he can be.'"
And so, the story of Brady Anderson, the coach, begins. A man dedicated to helping players, a mentor with a unique approach, is ready to take on a new challenge. Will his impact be as transformative as it was for Mancini, Joseph, and Britton? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Anderson's passion and knowledge will leave a mark on the Angels and the players he works with.
