The manager that led the Padres to two successful, back-to-back seasons of 90 wins or more has announced his retirement from the position. Mike Shildt issued the following statement in a surprise announcement
for the MLB organization:
It is with a heavy but full heart that I am announcing my retirement from managing the San Diego Padres,” the letter began.
“It is a decision that I thought about during the season and became at peace with over the last 10 days. I gave every fiber of my being to help achieve Peter Seidler’s vision of bringing a World Series Championship to San Diego. We fell short of the ultimate goal, but I am proud of what the players, staff and organization were able to accomplish the last two seasons.
The grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally. While it has always been about serving others, it’s time I take care of myself and exit on my terms.
I am extremely appreciative to the Padres, Peter Seidler, the Seidler family, Erik Greupner, AJ Preller and staff for the trust and confidence to lead this team. I’m confident I left things in a better place.
However, I am most grateful for our players. San Diego is rightfully proud of the Padres players. It is a group that conducts themselves with class, is dedicated to each other and the common goal of winning a World Series. I love our players and will miss them dearly!!After 34 years of dedicating myself to the rigors of coaching and managing, I can with great enjoyment look back on achieving my two primary goals: To help players get the most out of their God given ability and become better men. Also, to win games. I move forward with a smile on my face, contentment in my soul and genuine excitement for what God has next.
To the Friar Faithful, thanks for all the support and keep rocking Petco Park. It’s the best home field advantage in Major League Baseball. The team is on its way to that World Series Championship you so deserve.
Respectfully,
Shildty
The San Diego Padres also released a statement minutes after the letter from Mike Shildt was released:
San Diego Union-Tribune beat writer, Kevin Acee, wrote that the decision was Shildt’s alone and he notified the team of his decision on Saturday. This seems to be a direct result of the wear and tear of a grinding MLB season. Although Shildt has been successful as an MLB manager over his four seasons and two teams (Padres and St. Louis Cardinals), he had a two-year break between the two jobs. He discussed the trauma that he had to recover from after being fired from his job with the Cardinals.
Shildt is widely regarded as a player’s manager. He lives and dies with his team and his players. The grind of the season and the demands of 162 games is not for everyone. Despite his obvious skill at the job, Shildt seems to be unsuited to that stress.
Shildt was the fourth manager hired by AJ Preller after he inherited Bud Black when taking the job of General Manager. Black was followed by Andy Green (2017-2019), Jayce Tingler (2020-2021), Bob Melvin (2022-2023) and then Shildt (2024-2025).
The search for a new manager should include multiple internal options already with the organization. Pitching coach Ruben Niebla could be high on that list, as well as bench coach Brian Esposito. There are also multiple members of Preller’s staff, who could be candidates.
It is unlikely that this process will take a long time as Preller and the organization will want to minimize any chaos associated with a lack of on-field leadership, even during the offseason. Although surprising to much of the Friar Faithful, not all will be unhappy that the Padres will hire a new on-field leader.
Shildt’s old school approach, though ultimately good for two winning seasons, does not seem to play well in the postseason. The lack of execution with runners in scoring position, the proclivity to lots of bunting and insufficient slug will need to be addressed by the new leadership.
The Padres start to the offseason is off with a bang.