The San Diego Padres hadn’t named their manager for the 2024 season up until Tuesday.
That’s not the case anymore, as Mike Shildt will occupy the position according to MLB insider Jeff Passan.
“The San Diego Padres are hiring Mike Shildt as their new manager, sources tell ESPN. Shildt, 55, has been a senior adviser with the team and was 252-199 as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. He takes over for Bob Melvin, who left to manage the Giants this winter,” he tweeted.
Shildt joined the Padres organization in early 2022.
He was initially hired by the Padres to help in a player development role.
He did act as their interim third base coach for a while after Matt Williams had hip surgery during spring training.
However, he had been working as a senior adviser until getting the news of his promotion to manager.
Shildt doesn’t come without experience in the role, having managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 2018 to 2021.
Fans had a lot to say on Twitter about the move.
There were some positive comments:
Happy for him, didn’t deserve losing his job in STL. Rooting for Shildty.
— Nick Mensio (@NickMensio) November 21, 2023
Mike Shildt revenge tour starts now.
— Zach (@ZacharyFoutch) November 21, 2023
And also a lot of criticism:
LOL
— will: JJ McCarthy Truther (@wrhiv_72) November 21, 2023
Yikes
— District Sportstalk (@DCSports_Talk) November 21, 2023
It’s fair to say, however, that the majority of takes were positive regarding Shildt and his ability as a manager.
With him at the helm, the Cardinals were often contenders in the National League and even made the Championship Series in 2019.
He will have a lot of talent to work with in San Diego if the front office doesn’t completely tear things apart fueled by a wish to lower payroll.
The post Fans React To Today’s Padres News appeared first on The Cold Wire.