Katie Griggs, one of only two women to hold the title of president of business operations at a major league baseball team and the first woman to hold that role with the Seattle Mariners, is leaving the Mariners organization after just three years in the position.
The club announced Griggs resigned on Friday morning.
Mariners managing partner John Stanton will take over her duties on an interim basis until a new president of business operations is appointed.
The Mariners hired Griggs, 42, in July 2021 to replace longtime team executive Kevin Mather, who resigned in February 2021 after making a series of insensitive and derogatory comments.
According to a recent Mariners release, Griggs, a North Carolina native, accepted the new job on the East Coast to be closer to family. She previously served as chief business officer for MLS club Atlanta United.
“It is with mixed emotions that I have made the very difficult decision to step down from my role as president of business operations,” Griggs said in a statement. “After much consideration, I have decided to prioritize my family and move back to the East Coast to be closer to Justin and my aging parents.”
“My time in Seattle getting to know the community and working with so many talented people at T-Mobile Park and beyond will always be special to me, and I look forward to seeing what great things the future has in store for the Mariners.”
With Griggs' departure, Miami Marlins' Caroline O'Connor will become MLB's only female president.
“I want to thank Katie for her hard work and leadership over the past three years. During her tenure, the Mariners have grown as an organization and achieved several great accomplishments, including a playoff appearance in 2022, an All-Star Game in 2023 and the NHL Winter Classic in 2024,” Stanton said in a statement. “In speaking with her as she struggled with her decision to return to the East Coast, it was clear how much she cares about our organization and the people who make our team special. However, finding an opportunity that would allow Katie and her husband, Justin, to be closer to their extended family was too important to pass up.
“I know this was a difficult decision for Katie and I appreciate her professionalism in working with me through this process.”
