Orioles Mascot Among Dozens Laid Off in Organizational Cuts

The Baltimore Orioles have laid off more than two dozen employees, in a move that has affected numerous departments within the organization, including ticket sales, graphic design, and entertainment.

Among those impacted by the cuts were the individuals who portrayed the team's mascots, The Oriole Bird and Mr. Splash. The team intends to continue operating its "Bird Bath" section, which features Mr. Splash spraying fans, despite the departure of the employee responsible for that role. Mr. Splash was introduced in May 2023.

Multiple media outlets reported on the layoffs, with a spokesperson for the Orioles confirming that the cuts primarily affected the business department. The team declined to comment on specific employee matters. One source described the situation as a "bloodbath," while another report indicated that at least in the teens of employees were let go.

In an internal memo, Catie Griggs, the President of Business Operations, stated that the changes were not solely about reducing headcount. She indicated that the club would continue to hire for critical roles and expand in areas of need. Griggs acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that some departing employees had been with the organization for over a decade, while others had shorter tenures.

"Today we made difficult changes to our business, reshaping some roles and reporting lines and saying goodbye to colleagues," Griggs wrote. "Some of the people leaving have been here for more than a decade, others for a much shorter time, and every one of them was part of our team. To many of you, they are friends as well as coworkers."

She added, "For those of you who have been here a long time, today may also feel like losing part of what this place has been. That history matters, and it remains part of who we are. We’re grateful for what each of them gave this organization."

The layoffs come as Major League Baseball faces the potential of a lockout in December when the current collective bargaining agreement expires. It remains unclear if the Orioles' recent personnel decisions were made in anticipation of this potential league-wide labor disruption.