Long has spent 11 seasons as a Major League Baseball (MLB) hitting coach, serving in the role for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2008–2010), Cincinnati Reds (2014–2018), and Baltimore Orioles (2019-2021).
He played three years in the Giants farm system (1983–85) where he compiled a .251 batting average, 12 home runs and 76 RBI in 198 games.
He made his managerial debut with the Quad Cities River Bandits in the Midwest League in 1987 before spending two seasons with the Bend Bucks.
After two more seasons with Midland (1992–93), Long managed in the Pacific Coast League for three years, leading the Vancouver Canadians to a pair of first-place finishes.
[citation needed] On January 14, 2019, Long was hired by the Baltimore Orioles to be the team's new hitting coach on Brandon Hyde's staff, replacing Scott Coolbaugh.