Orioles Cut Mascot Roles, Reshape Staff

The Baltimore Orioles laid off employees across business and other departments, including the performers behind the Oriole Bird and Mr. Splash; reports put the total at between at least a dozen and more than two dozen. President of business operations Catie Griggs described the changes as a reshaping of roles rather than an effort to reduce headcount. The Orioles plan to keep the Bird Bath fan section, and the Oriole Bird character will continue to appear, but Mr. Splash’s dedicated role has ended. The mascot decision drew criticism from some fans.