Padres Name Craig Stammen as New Manager

In a surprising development, the San Diego Padres have appointed Craig Stammen, a former relief pitcher, as their new manager. Stammen, 41, is transitioning from his playing career, which he will conclude in August 2023, and has spent the last two seasons as an assistant on major league coaching staffs. Notably, this will be his first official coaching role in baseball.

He takes over from Mike Shildt, who stepped down in October after leading the team for two seasons. Shildt enjoyed a successful run, with the Padres achieving 93 and 90 wins in his two years, while also making it to the postseason. However, he cited feelings of burnout when announcing his departure.

Before finalizing their decision, the Padres consulted with notable figures in the sport, including MLB superstar Albert Pujols and former catcher Nick Hundley. Padres general manager AJ Preller expressed confidence in Stammen, stating, “Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade.” He emphasized Stammen’s leadership qualities and his knack for uplifting his teammates throughout his career.

Interestingly, Stammen becomes the fifth full-time manager for the Padres since 2016, and he stands out as the only manager in the major leagues with a history as a former pitching captain.

Over his career, Stammen pitched seven seasons with the Washington Nationals and another six with the Padres, primarily as a reliever. Known for his effective sinker, he appeared in 333 games, ranking fifth all-time in Padres history.

The Padres have seen considerable success in recent years, with four postseason appearances in six seasons. Now, Preller is hopeful that Stammen can guide the team to new heights, perhaps even a World Series title.