In an abrupt announcement Monday, manager Mike Shildt said he had retired from the San Diego Padres, close to two weeks after his team lost to the Chicago Cubs in three games in the National League Wild Card Series.
Shildt, the first Padres manager to oversee back-to-back 90-win campaigns, is the fifth full-time manager to depart under president of baseball operations A.J. Preller. His exit comes just four years after he was fired by the St. Louis Cardinals following a 90-win season and a one-game trip to the postseason. Shildt was under contract with the Padres through 2027.
Reached via text Monday morning, Shildt wrote: “I’m very pleased with the decision. It just has taken a toll on me and didn’t have it in me to lead another team to a 90+ win season and World Series run!
“Looking forward to what’s next and just want to teach the game!”
In a phone interview later, he added that deteriorating health and the stress of a high-profile job had convinced him to walk away with two years left on a lucrative contract and no agreement to receive at least some of that remaining money.
Shildt also denied that conflict with Preller or other members of the organization led to his departure.
Preller was scheduled to address reporters Tuesday via videoconference.
“We would like to congratulate Mike on a successful career and thank him for his significant contributions to the Padres and the San Diego community over the last four years, including consecutive 90-win seasons and two postseason appearances as manager,” Preller said in a statement. “His dedication and passion for the game of baseball will leave an impact on our organization, and we wish him the best in his next chapter. The search for a new manager of the Padres will begin immediately with the goal of winning a World Series championship in 2026.”
Shildt, 57, went 183-141 with San Diego and 435-340 since first becoming the Cardinals’ manager in 2018. In October 2021, following a 90-win season, the Cardinals dismissed Shildt, citing “philosophical differences.” Shildt subsequently joined the Padres as a player development consultant ahead of the 2022 season.
The list of candidates to replace Shildt in San Diego is expected to include Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, who has previously expressed interest in becoming a big-league manager, and special assistant and former Mariners manager Scott Servais.