Baltimore Orioles Axe Beloved Mascot Performer Mr. Splash, Team Photographer Amid ‘Bloodbath’ of Layoffs

The Baltimore Orioles are making major changes following a disappointing season, and even some of the team’s most recognizable faces aren’t safe.

The MLB franchise has laid off an employee who portrayed its beloved Oriole Bird mascot and Mr. Splash as part of widespread staff cuts, according to a People report published on Wednesday, October 7.

The cuts affected employees across several departments, including ticket sales and graphic design. Per the report, a source described the layoffs to the Baltimore Banner as a “bloodbath.”

According to MLB, The Oriole Bird was also inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2020. Per People, Mr. Splash joined the team in 2023 and became a fan favorite for spraying water into the stands in a special seating area called the “Bird Bath.” The team’s photographer was also among those let go.

Despite the cuts, the Orioles insisted their famous bird isn’t exactly disappearing.

“While we cannot comment about specific employees, fans will continue to see the Oriole Bird regularly, on the dugout in the middle of 7th inning, on the field after an Orioles win, and at events across our community both during and outside of our season,” a team spokesperson said, per the outlet.

Per People, Orioles president of business operations Catie Griggs acknowledged the impact of the layoffs on longtime employees in an internal memo obtained by the Baltimore Banner and the Baltimore Sun.

“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,” Griggs wrote, the Banner reported.

She maintained that the changes were “not about reducing headcount,” but about “making sure our teams are built and staffed for the work ahead,” the outlet reported.

The layoffs came after Baltimore finished the 2026 season with a 79-82 record and missed the playoffs, according to The U.S. Sun. The outlet also noted that Baltimore businessman David Rubenstein took control of the franchise in 2024, ending 31 years of ownership by the Angelos family.

The news didn’t sit well with some longtime supporters.

“It’s actually really sad and unfortunate,” Madison Lester, manager of nearby Pickles Pub and an Orioles fan, told WBAL-TV. She also expressed concern about a possible MLB lockout.

Fellow fan Kyle Umstead was disappointed to see employees lose their jobs. “It sucks definitely, you hate to see anybody lose their job,” he said, per the report.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also weighed in, acknowledging the mascots’ importance to the community.

“We know how big of a deal the Bird and Mr. Splash is,” Scott told the station, pointing to the Bird’s appearances at local schools. He also raised a question about the team’s future performance: “I want to know are we going to win next year, that’s what I want to know.”

The Orioles confirmed to WBAL-TV that the Bird Bath will return next season, meaning fans can still look forward to the popular game-day tradition even as the people behind the characters change.

Next spring, Orioles fans will be hoping the team gives them plenty more reasons to cheer, both in the stands and on the field.