St. Louis Cardinals officially hire first minority manager

The St. Louis Cardinals were not expected to be on the hunt for a manager. Mike Shildt had managed the team to three consecutive playoff berths, and was seemingly well respected in the clubhouse. His surprising dismissal, framed as being due to “philosophical differences,” suddenly put the Cardinals in the search for a new skipper.

That search did not go very far. Bench coach Oliver Marmol is set to become the new manager of the Cardinals with a press conference scheduled for Monday morning.

St. Louis Cardinals find their man in Oliver Marmol

Marmol’s hiring is historic for the franchise. He will become the first minority to officially hold the manager title, and the second minority manager in team history. Former shortstop Mike Gonzalez, who had hailed from Cuba, served as an interim manager for 23 games in 1938 and 1940.

A sixth round draft pick by the Cardinals back in 2007, Marmol spent four years in the organization as a player. He failed to get beyond High-A, as his bat never developed as the Cardinals had hoped. However, his baseball mind was unquestioned, leading to his transitioning into a coaching role after the 2010 season.

He quickly moved up the ranks, serving as a minor league manager from 2012 through 2016 before joining the major league coaching staff. Marmol was the Cardinals’ bench coach in 2021, ironically learning the craft from the man who he will be replacing.

At 35 years old, Marmol becomes the youngest manager in the majors. However, his youth belies his experience, as he has spent his entire baseball career in the organization, learning the Cardinal Way as a player, coach, and manager. And now, he will be a trailblazer in the organization as the first minority to officially be named as the team’s skipper.

Oliver Marmol will be the next manager for the St. Louis Cardinals. His hiring is a historic moment for the organization as he will be their first minority manager.