John Steven Mabry (born October 17, 1970) is an American former professional baseballoutfielder, broadcaster, and coach. He had 898 career hits in 3,409 at-bats (for a batting average of .263), with 96 home runs and 446 RBI. He is 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall, weighs 210 lb (95 kilograms), bats left-handed and throws right-handed. John Mabry attended West Chester University in Pennsylvania and was inducted into their Athletics Hall of Fame.
Mabry played for eight teams in his 14-year MLB career, including three stints with the Cardinals (1994–1998, 2001, 2004–2005).[1]
St Louis Cardinals
Mabry was selected by the St Louis Cardinals in 6th round of the 1991 MLB Draft.[2] He made his MLB debut on April 23, 1994, against the Houston Astros, where had a his first career hit, a double.[3] Mabry appeared in six games in 1994, hitting .304 in those games. In 1995, Mabry hit his first career home run against the Montreal Expos on July 3. He finished 4th in Rookie Of the Year voting. In 1996, Mabry's only season with over 400 at-bats, he led the Cardinals with 161 hits and was fourth in the National League for first basemen in fielding percentage at .994 and was errorless in 14 games in the outfield. He hit for a natural cycle in a May 18, 1996, loss to the Colorado Rockies.[4] On June 3, 1997, Mabry had six RBI in a 15–4 win over the Colorado Rockies. Then, on June 14, 1997, Mabry homered in both games of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.
Mabry was one of the few major leaguers who preferred not to wear batting gloves. He was also somewhat versatile on defense, playing more than 100 games at left and right field as well as first and third base. He also made two career appearances pitching with dubious results. In one inning of work, he gave up seven earned runs for a career ERA of 63.[5]
Post-playing career
In April 2011, Fox Sports Midwest hired Mabry to serve as baseball analyst during St. Louis Cardinals live pre-game and post-game shows, a role he shared with former Cardinals Mike Matheny and Cal Eldred.[6]
On December 2, 2011, the Cardinals named Mabry the assistant hitting coach to Mark McGwire in 2012, soon after announcing former teammate Matheny would be the new manager.[7] On November 5, 2012, the Cardinals promoted Mabry to hitting coach after McGwire left for the Los Angeles Dodgers.[8] Former major league catcher Bengie Molina succeeded Mabry as the assistant hitting coach.[9]
Mabry was released from his position as hitting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals when manager Matheny was fired on July 14, 2018, just days before the All-Star break of the 2018 season.
On December 5, 2019, Mabry was added to the Kansas City Royals staff as a major league coach.[10]
On December 13, 2022, Mabry was added to the Miami Marlins staff as a major league assistant hitting coach.[11] On October 2, 2024, Mabry was fired alongside the entirety of the Marlins coaching staff.[12]
Personal life
After his 2007 retirement as a player, Mabry continued to make his home in the St. Louis area along with his wife Ann and their four children.[13] Long an avid outdoorsman, Mabry became a spokesman for Gander Mountain, making a series of videos on different aspects of hunting and fishing.[14]
