Orioles share what their moms mean to them: ‘I’d give her the world if I could’

Teacher Appreciation Week preceding Mother’s Day afforded Orioles manager Brandon Hyde the opportunity to double-dip.

After all, his favorite teacher was his mom, Lucy.

“She was unbelievable,” Hyde said.

When Hyde was in middle school in California, he occasionally had his mom as a substitute or student teacher. He joked he was “always” on his best behavior when their schedules aligned — “Especially at 13 and 14 [years old], there was no issues ever,” he quipped — but he hardly had to worry about getting detention with Lucy.

“My mom is so easygoing, just so relaxed and even-keeled,” Hyde said. “Everybody loved her all the time because she was fun to be around. I never saw her get angry ever.”

On Mother’s Day, here’s what some of Hyde’s players had to say about what their moms mean to them.

Center fielder Cedric Mullins on his mom, Sheila:

I would hope for the majority of folks, Mom represents everything to them. Especially as a man growing up, just understanding what it’s like to be nurturing, kind to others, sympathetic and just all those things that accumulate to what I feel like my mom is. Looks out for everybody. There’s just a lot of values that you take in and try to replicate throughout your life. What she’s taught me is priceless.

Catcher Adley Rutschman on his mom, Carol:

I don’t know if there’s enough words that I can really describe my parents’ — and especially my mom’s — impact on me. Just the support and love, they’ve shaped me into who I am. Every day, I wake up and I want to be like my parents; I want to be like my mom and dad. I can’t say enough good things. I’m blessed to call them my parents.

Right-hander Dean Kremer on his mom, Sigal:

She means everything. She’s someone that’s always been there through thick and thin and loves me unconditionally. I know that I can go back to her if I ever have any problems or if I’m happy, if I’m sad, if I’m angry, if I’m whatever. She’ll always be there to support me.

Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on his mom, Temple:

Oh, man, the world. I wouldn’t be here without her. She’s a baseball mom, so that’s more than I can ask for. Really, just always her being there.

Infielder Gunnar Henderson on his mom, Kerry:

She’s provided me with everything that I’ve needed growing up and even to this day, still provides me with a lot of good advice and just always caring for us. I know it’s probably a hassle with three boys, but she’s done a great job, and I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done.

Outfielder Anthony Santander on his mom, Yoleida:

Oh, everything, everything. She’s the woman who gave me life, so I owe everything to her. I’m very fortunate to have her as a mom. She takes care of me, still taking care of me a lot. She’s amazing. I really love her a lot.

Left-hander Cionel Pérez on his mom, Maideline:

What a question. What can I say? Honestly, more or less the same thing I can say for just about any mom out there. They’re the ones who take care of us when we’re really small and they just set us off on the right path. They’re always taking care of us, and I can’t thank my mom enough for just always being there for me in some of the most difficult moments in my life. Whether it’s been baseball, whether it’s been off the field with anything, I just really thank her for everything she’s been able to do and give me throughout the course of my life.

Outfielder Ryan McKenna on his mom, Marlene:

She’s been a huge part of my life. Couldn’t ask for a better mom and a better nurturing and caring figure. Somebody that always is kind of just there for you and knows exactly what to say during those times where you’re growing up, and even now, it’s awesome just having her here and being able to talk to and give direction and just listen to something if you’ve got something going on. Both my parents, but my mom especially is very, very special to me.

Left-hander Danny Coulombe on his mom, Kathryn:

I love her so much. I’m so thankful for her right now. She’s taking care of my dad, who just had a knee replacement. Shoutout to her, thank you to her for doing that. She’s the best. She was so patient with us. Now, having kids of my own, I can see how hard that is sometimes. She was the best mom I could have ever asked for.

Right-hander Austin Voth on his mom, Heidi:

She’s the one that supported me playing baseball growing up. She would drive me to all my games and everything. She means the world to me. My mom and my dad are the two people in this world that kind of pushed me into furthering my career in baseball and everything. So, just appreciate everything that she’s done for me in my life.

Left-hander Nick Vespi on his mom, Tina:

She did just about anything to get me here. She’s a nurse. My dad was always overseas when I was younger. He was in the military, and my mom raised me and my three brothers, so she’s our rock, for sure. She’s made tons and tons of sacrifices for me to be able to live out my dream. I’d give her the world if I could.

Outfielder Kyle Stowers on his mom, Sheri:

I just feel like mothers feel with their children, and so I think that’s what I appreciate about my mom the most is that whatever I’m going through, it feels like she’s going through it with you, in the ringer with you. Just such an upbeat woman. Just the type of woman that brightens everyone’s day, makes everyone feel good about themselves.

Utility plan Terrin Vavra on his mom, Lisa:

Everything. My dad was gone for a lot of the time, just with his job, so she was the ride to the tournaments. She was the support after the tough games, the stop at a Dairy Queen after and get a sweet treat. She did everything for me and my brothers. So grateful for her. I love her so much.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer contributed to this story.

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