Shildt Retires: Hard Wear Causes Surprising Padres Exit

Mike Shildt Steps Down as San Diego Padres Manager

Mike Shildt has decided to step down as manager of the San Diego Padres, despite having two years remaining on his contract. Shildt, 57, communicated his decision to the team on Saturday, nine days after the Padres were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs in a wild-card series. Shildt explained that “the wear and tear of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me, mentally, physically, and emotionally”. The club confirmed Shildt’s decision on Monday. He made the decision himself.

“While I have always tried to serve others, it is time for me to take care of myself and leave on my own terms. I gave every fiber of my being to help achieve Peter Seidler’s vision of bringing a World Series Championship to San Diego.”

Mike Shildt

Shildt led the Padres to the postseason in the two seasons he was at the helm of the team. Under his direction, the team achieved a record of 183-141. This season, the Padres won 90 games and finished second in the National League West Division before being eliminated by the Cubs.

“I am very grateful for our players. San Diego is legitimately proud of the Padres players. It’s a group that behaves with class, is dedicated to each other and to the common goal of winning a World Series. I love our players and I will miss them very much!”

Mike Shildt

Before joining the Padres organization in early 2022 as a player development coach, Shildt was the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals from 2018 to 2021, recording a winning record in each of his three full seasons. He was the National League Manager of the Year in 2019 after leading the Cards to 91 wins and the National League Central Division title. The Padres’ general manager, A.J. Preller, expressed his appreciation to Shildt: “We would like to congratulate Mike on a successful career and thank him for his important contributions to the Padres and the San Diego community over the past four years.” Preller added that the search for a new Padres manager “will begin immediately with the goal of winning a World Series championship in 2026”. The new Padres manager will be the eighth person to lead the dugout since Preller fired Bud Black in June 2015. San Diego becomes the eighth MLB team with a manager vacancy and the ninth to change managers this offseason. Texas has already hired Skip Schumaker, but there are vacancies with the Padres, Angels, Braves, Orioles, Twins, Giants, Nationals, and Rockies.