Central STL News

Cardinals bench coach Daniel Descalso and fellow coach Jon Jay have shared a close friendship for nearly 20 years, beginning as teammates in Double-A Springfield. Their careers have seen them play together for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2010 to 2014, contribute to the team's 2011 World Series win, and later reunite as teammates with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018. Now, both serve on the Cardinals coaching staff.

Reflecting on their journey, Jay said, “It’s surreal and it's a dream come true. We talked about doing this as players, and we played together in St. Louis and went to different places, and we got to be teammates again, which was super cool. To be able to come here and coach together, it's been unbelievable.”

Jay has taken an active role beyond working with outfielders by participating in game-planning meetings. His efforts with young outfielders like Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, and Victor Scott II have been noted by Descalso: “It’s his work ethic, right? Neither of us were ever on the top of a prospect list, and we had to work for everything we ever got in this game. Jon's carried that mindset over into coaching, and he requires our guys get out there and work. The only way you can get better in this game is to put in the work. You see him out there early doing drills, shagging and working hard. If the coach is shagging during BP, then players can shag too. He holds guys to a high standard.”

Off the field, Jay credits mentors from his youth at Christopher Columbus High School and the University of Miami—especially those at the Boys & Girls Club—for shaping his approach both personally and professionally.

Since 2011, Jay has led charitable activities through the Jon Jay Foundation in St. Louis and Miami by organizing bowling tournaments as well as golf events for community benefit. On September 17th this year he will host another charity event at Family Golf and Learning Center in St. Louis.

Descalso supports these initiatives alongside Jay; their commitment reflects broader expectations within the Cardinals organization regarding philanthropy among its members.

Jay described how giving back became integral after joining MLB: “I remember that first big league off-day—it was ‘You’re going to Tony La Russa’s golf tournament.’ You see the impact…what it means to use your platform as an opportunity to help others...we love baseball…and it's given us unbelievable opportunities…but it’s also about how we're able to impact people off the field.”