Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder potentially taking on a coaching role with the Baltimore Orioles
John Mabry, a renowned figure in Major League Baseball (MLB) as both a player and coach, is expected to join the Baltimore Orioles as a senior advisor on the staff of the team's new interim manager, Tony Mansolino. Mabry's career spans over two decades, during which he played for several teams, most notably the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mabry's coaching career began with the Cardinals in 2011, where he served as an assistant hitting coach. His tenure with the team saw him move into various roles, including a stint as a coach with the Miami Marlins from 2022 until 2024, where he was unfortunately let go in October 2024.
Mabry's coaching philosophy is rooted in a hands-on approach, focusing on a supportive yet hardworking environment. This is evident in his work with rookie Coby Mayo, where he has been helping Mayo adapt to playing first base. Mabry's approach also emphasizes adaptability, as he tailors his coaching methods to the needs of individual players.
If Mabry joins the Baltimore Orioles, he will be another former Cardinal on the coaching staff, joining Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Carlson, Andrew Kittredge, Matt Bowman, and potentially Skip Schumaker, who is currently a special advisor for the Texas Rangers. The Orioles are also reportedly in talks to hire another former Cardinals player, Jon Jay, as a coach.
The Baltimore Orioles are seeking to fill vacancies following the firing of manager Brandon Hyde and field coordinator/catching instructor Tim Cossins. Mabry's potential addition to the coaching staff would bolster the team, which already includes a first-year hitting coach in Cody Asche, first-year bench coach in Robinson Chirinos, and second-year pitching coach in Drew French.
Mabry played the bulk of his 14-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his career with a .281/.335/.411 slash line, 53 home runs, and 272 runs batted in. Despite periods where the Cardinals struggled to score runs during Mabry's tenure as a hitting coach, his teams never fell out of the top half of the National League in walk rate.
As Mabry prepares to join the Baltimore Orioles, he brings a wealth of experience and a coaching philosophy that emphasizes individualised training, a supportive team environment, and a focus on adaptability and hard work. The Orioles will undoubtedly benefit from Mabry's expertise as they look to rebuild and return to the top of the league.
John Mabry's coaching role in the Orioles could mark a return to his baseball roots, as he played for the St. Louis Cardinals in both his career as a player and as a coach. Despite his departure from the Miami Marlins in 2024, Mabry's innovative coaching philosophy, centered on hands-on training, individualized work, and adaptability, seems poised to rejuvenate the Baltimore Orioles, who are looking to rebuild and make a comeback in MLB.
