Padres hire Craig Stammen as new skipper despite zero professional managerial experience

The San Diego Padres hired erstwhile reliever Craig Stammen to beryllium their caller manager successful an unconventional move. 

Stammen, 41, ended his playing vocation successful August 2023 and spent the past 2 seasons arsenic an adjunct to the large league coaching staff. He has nary anterior managerial acquisition astatine immoderate level of the sport.

Stammen replaces Mike Shildt, who retired successful October aft 2 years arsenic manager. 

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San Diego Padres alleviation pitcher Craig Stammen reacts aft getting the Colorado Rockies’ Brian Serven to crushed retired to extremity the ninth inning successful Denver, Colo., Sept. 24, 2022. (David Zalubowski, File/AP Photo)

Shildt led 2 palmy seasons with the Padres, winning 93 and 90 games and making the postseason some years, but helium cited burnout and exhaustion erstwhile helium announced his departure. 

The Padres interviewed MLB large Albert Pujols, erstwhile catcher Nick Hundley and longtime pitching manager Ruben Niebla earlier selecting Stammen. 

"Craig has been a beardown beingness successful our enactment for astir a decade," Padres wide manager A.J. Preller said successful a statement. 

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San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt walks to the dugout aft being ejected by location sheet umpire James Hoye during the 2nd inning against the San Francisco Giants astatine Petco Park successful San Diego Aug. 18, 2025. (David Frerker/Imagn Images)

"He possesses heavy organizational cognition and brings earthy enactment qualities to the manager’s chair. As some a subordinate and successful his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an quality to elevate those astir him. His spot of character, competitory quality and endowment for bringing radical unneurotic marque him the perfect prime to pb the Padres."

Stammen is the Padres' 5th full-time manager since 2016 and the lone skipper successful the large leagues who was a erstwhile pitcher. 

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The San Diego Padres’ Craig Stammen smiles arsenic helium walks toward his dugout during a crippled against the San Francisco Giants successful San Diego Oct. 5, 2022. (Derrick Tuskan/AP Photo)

He pitched 7 seasons for the Washington Nationals and six much for the Padres during his playing career, serving arsenic a reliever for each but his archetypal 2 large league seasons. An Ohio autochthonal known for his effectual sinker, Stammen is 5th successful Padres past with 333 appearances for the club.

The Padres person a winning grounds successful 5 of the past six seasons and made the postseason successful 4 of those seasons. Preller hopes Stammen tin assistance the squad ascend to a caller level and triumph a World Series. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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