Trey Mancini has former Orioles slugger to thank for MLB comeback bid

Every baseball fan likes Trey Mancini. It's hard not to. The former Orioles' slugger heroically beat colon cancer, stood by and supported the late Mo Gaba (a young Oriole fan who tragically died of cancer at age 14), and patiently and thoughtfully engaged with fans and members of the media with a smile on his face.

That is why news of Mancini's attempted return to the major leagues after a lost 2024 season put a smile on the face of many baseball fans. And as Mancini stated in a recent interview with the Foul Territory podcast, he has Orioles legend Brady Anderson to thank for pushing him to come back.

Mancini told Foul Territory that Anderson, who spent significant time with him while Anderson served as Vice President of Baseball Operations with the Orioles, told him that he still had something left in the tank and should give baseball one more shot. Perhaps this was the news Mancini needed to hear, as he signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has gotten off to a strong start this spring. The 32 year-old Mancini is 8-19 (.421 average) with two doubles, and is trying to earn a spot on the Diamondbacks' bench.

Trey Mancini credits Orioles legend Brady Anderson for decision to continue playing career

This is a welcome sign for Mancini, who struggled to maintain his baseball career after six strong seasons in Baltimore. After winning a ring with the Houston Astros in 2022, Mancini signed with the Cubs with the plan for him and veteran Eric Hosmer to split time between first base and DH. The plan did not go well, as Hosmer was designated for assignment on May 19, 2023, with Mancini facing the same fate on August 1 of that year. Mancini signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins ahead of the 2024 season, but did not make the team out of spring training and did not play in the majors last season.

Mancini's bond with Anderson was well documented. Said Mancini back in 2017:

"I went out to Brady Anderson's house in January to work out, Mancini said. We had a conversation then about how he was wanting to work with me in the spring, pretty intensely. It would likely be my best shot to make the team, as an outfielder. He thought I was athletic enough."

Trey Mancini

Mancini also credited Anderson with changing his swing in 2015, which eventually led to strong production in the minors and a 2016 debut with the Orioles. There are certainly worse people you could take swing advice from: Anderson was renowned for his sweet, lefty swing that was perfect for Camden Yards and helped produce a 50-homer season in 1996.

Oriole fans will continue to monitor Mancini's spring with the Diamondbacks closely, with the hope that he can resurrect his career. However, it appears that one person may be rooting for Mancini more than his loyal following of fans: Brady Anderson, who convinced Mancini to give it one more try.