3 things Oliver Marmol has done well this year and 1 thing he butchered

Oliver Marmol has supported his player much better this year.

The 2023 season may have been doomed from the start. Very early on, Oliver Marmol called outfielder Tyler O'Neill out for a lack of hustle when rounding third base. It's not often a manager speaks poorly about his players to the media, so Marmol's bluntness about O'Neill didn't sit well with Tyler or the clubhouse.

Additionally, the mixed messaging surrounding catcher Willson Contreras's handling of the pitching staff was tumultuous. The decision to move Contreras off the catching position wasn't solely Marmol's but he absolutely supported the idea. "We are making sure he understands the full process of how we think through a game plan," said Marmol cryptically in 2023.

These two interactions spelled disaster for the Cardinals last year, and Marmol's ability to lead a clubhouse came into question. Things have been much different this year. There have been no stories this year of Oliver Marmol frustrating his players. In fact, there has been nothing but support from his players, and he's supported them.

It's partially a manager's job to defend his players. When they're mistreated by the opponents or the umpiring crew, it falls on the shoulders of the manager to support his players. Marmol's five ejections this year are a testament to his support of his players. He has used these ejections to provide a boost to his players. Look back to Mother's Day for evidence of this.

In a dramatic change from last year, Oliver Marmol has shown unwavering support for his players on and off the field. No longer are reports about the Cardinals displaying a disconnect between the manager and his players. Instead, the narrative is that Marmol has their backs.