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OFF the cuff w/claiborne oliver marmol
Oliver Marmol is no stranger to the St . Louis Cardinals. He was drafted by the Redbirds in 2007, and after playing on the team for four seasons, he star ted working his way up the organization as a coach and manager in the minors. This year, at 35, he became the youngest active manager in Major League Baseball histor y. HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THE CARDINAL S MANAGER POSITION? Saying it ’s an honor is an understatement . The Cardinals are not only among the best organizations in baseball but all of spor ts. It ’s an absolute privilege to be able to manage this club and help lead it . When the oppor tunit y was presented, I talked it through with my wife, and we determined what the nex t stage of our careers would look like. I don’ t want to say it was an easy decision, but this t ype of oppor tunit y doesn’ t come up ver y often, and we felt like it was the right time. WHAT ’S ONE THING YOU APPRECIATED WHILE IN THE MINOR LE AGUE AND ONE THING THAT MAKES YOU GRATEFUL YOU’RE IN THE MA JORS? Setting up the fields for spring training was definitely a grind. Coaching and managing at the lower levels, you learn a lot and get to have an influence on young players. You get these new draft picks, and it ’s you who introduces them to the Cardinals’ histor y, tradition and winning attitude. I’m super thank ful to have been that first professional influence in their lives and help them pave the way for success. HOW LONG HAVE YOU AND YOUR WIFE , AMBER, BEEN TOGE THER—AND WHO LIKED WHOM FIRST ? It ’s been about 19 years. I think it was mutual. I was a junior in high school, and she was a senior. Our friends ran in the same circles, so we got to know each other and star ted hanging out YOU’ VE BEEN IN ST. LOUIS FOR A FEW YE ARS NOW. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE CIT Y ? It ’s ver y family-oriented, especially coming from Jupiter, Florida, where it ’s more of a vacation spot and ver y seasonal. St . Louis promotes more of a family environment . Having a four- and two-year-old, we’ ve really enjoyed that atmosphere. With the museums and zoo, there are so many different offerings to help them grow. ARE YOU A FA SHION GUY, OR DOES SOMEBODY HELP YOU WITH YOUR WARDROBE? I wouldn’ t say I’m not a fashion guy, but my st yle isn’ t over the top. I dress myself, but I’ll definitely have to step up my game now. WHEN NOT COACHING, MANAGING OR THINKING ABOUT BA SEBALL , OLLIE MARMOL LIKES TO DO WHAT ? I don’ t really have any hobbies. I don’ t like to golf or play tennis. I get excited about business. My wife and I have been involved with several businesses early on. She runs a star t-up at the moment . If we aren’ t spending time with the family, we’re neck deep in business.
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A S THE CARDINAL S MANAGER, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? It comes down to two things: the responsibilit y to win and the responsibilit y to have an impact on the communit y. I’m looking for ward to both. I want to dive into St . Louis and be an influence on some of the underser ved communities here. For my wife and I, that ’s the hear tbeat of ever y thing we do. Being able to jump in and see how I can help is something I’m super passionate about . WHAT ’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’ VE RECEIVED IN BA SEBALL? It ’s a game. Enjoy it .
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NOVEMBER 17, 2021
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