The Padres are once again searching for a new manager.
In a surprising announcement, Mike Shildt broke the news in a letter written to the San Diego Union-Tribune in which he said, “It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from managing the San Diego Padres.”
Shildt said he gave every fiber of his being to the job, but that it took “a severe toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally.” With that in mind, he opted to exit on his own terms.
The 57-year-old just finished his second season as Padres manager, which followed two years as a player development consultant and senior advisor. He guided the club to consecutive 90-win seasons and the team’s first back-to-back postseason appearances since 2005-2006.
San Diego’s season ended October 2 with a Game 3 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field in the Wild Card Series. Shildt’s Padres reached the NLDS in 2024, and were one win away from taking down the eventual World Series-winning Dodgers before dropping the final two games of the series.
“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,” Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller said in a statement released by the organization. “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 was the club’s fourth manager since 2019. Preller fired Andy Green after that season, then hired Jayce Tingler ahead of 2020 and Bob Melvin following 2021. Shildt shared the dugout with Melvin, before taking over for the 2024 season.
The Padres were Shildt’s second Major League managerial job. He spent three-plus years leading the Cardinals, winning National League Manager of the Year in 2019.