On Friday, the team announced the hiring a senior advisor to the Major League coaching staff. The 54-year-old is expected to join the club during Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox at Camden Yards. He will report directly to interim manager Tony Mansolino.
All other members of the coaching staff will remain in their current roles.
Mabry brings extensive experience, both as a player and coach. He enjoyed a 14-year MLB career as an outfielder, spending time with the Cardinals, Mariners, Padres, Phillies, A’s, Cubs, and Rockies between 1994 and 2007. He began his coaching journey in 2012 with the Cardinals as an assistant hitting coach and was promoted to hitting coach in 2013, a position he held until 2018.
Since then, Mabry has served in various roles, including as a Major League coach with the Royals (2020–22) and Marlins—first as assistant hitting coach in 2023 and then as hitting coach in 2024. He was let go by Miami following last season.
His addition helps address a gap in experience on the Orioles’ staff since the firing of manager Brandon Hyde on May 17. Mansolino, previously the third-base coach, is managing a big-league team for the first time. Bench coach Robinson Chirinos and Major League coach Buck Britton are both in their first MLB coaching roles, while pitching coach Drew French is only in his second year.
“Any time you add someone with that much playing and coaching experience across different eras of the game, it brings a lot of value,” said Mansolino. “He’s someone I see helping me directly but also contributing across the board.”
Mansolino emphasized that the decision to bring in Mabry was a collective one, not just his or GM Mike Elias’s.
“This was a group decision,” he said. “It made me feel good about the confidence and culture we have—everyone was open to adding an experienced outside voice like John.”
Mabry also has existing ties to a few current Orioles. Emmanuel Rivera played under him with the Marlins in 2024, while Ryan O’Hearn was with the Royals during Mabry’s time there. O’Hearn spoke highly of him, saying, “He kept me sane during my bench time in Kansas City. He’s been through everything and is a great guy for this clubhouse.”
Another connection comes via Jackson Holliday—Mabry coached his father, Matt Holliday, in St. Louis. Now, he’ll have a hand in guiding the younger Holliday, who’s establishing himself as the Orioles’ everyday second baseman.
Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Mabry grew up in Chesapeake City, Maryland, and played college baseball at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Leave a Reply