The 56-year-old skipper, who guided San Diego to back-to-back 90-win seasons and consecutive playoff appearances, said the grind of managing had taken a “severe toll” on him mentally, physically, and emotionally. In a heartfelt letter released Sunday, Shildt thanked the Padres organization, the late Peter Seidler, and the San Diego community, emphasizing his pride in what the team achieved during his tenure.
“It is with a heavy but full heart that I am announcing my retirement from managing the San Diego Padres,” he wrote. “I gave every fiber of my being to help achieve Peter Seidler’s vision of bringing a World Series Championship to San Diego. We fell short of the ultimate goal, but I am proud of what the players, staff and organization were able to accomplish these last two seasons.”
Shildt expressed deep appreciation for his players, calling them “a group that conducts themselves with class” and highlighting their shared pursuit of excellence. “I love our players and will miss them dearly,” he added. “After 34 years of dedicating myself to coaching and managing, I can with great enjoyment look back on achieving my two primary goals: to help players get the most out of their God-given ability and become better men — and to win games.”
The veteran manager leaves behind a legacy of consistent success. Over five full seasons between St. Louis and San Diego, Shildt never failed to reach the postseason, finishing with a 435–340 record and a .561 career winning percentage — one of the top 20 in MLB history among managers with at least 750 games.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller praised Shildt’s leadership and the stability he brought to the organization. “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,” Preller said. “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.”
Potential internal candidates for the managerial position reportedly include pitching coach Ruben Niebla, bench coach Brian Esposito, baseball operations special assistant A.J. Ellis, and former Padres infielder Mark Loretta. Whoever takes the reins will inherit one of the strongest rosters in franchise history — a core that won 183 games over the past two years, the most ever in a two-season span for San Diego.
Shildt ended his farewell letter by thanking the “Friar Faithful” for their unwavering support, writing, “Keep rocking Petco Park. It’s the best home field advantage in Major League Baseball. The team is on its way to that World Series Championship you so deserve.”
The veteran manager leaves behind a legacy of consistent success. Over five full seasons between St. Louis and San Diego, Shildt never failed to reach the postseason, finishing with a 435–340 record and a .561 career winning percentage — one of the top 20 in MLB history among managers with at least 750 games.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller praised Shildt’s leadership and the stability he brought to the organization. “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,” Preller said. “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.”
Potential internal candidates for the managerial position reportedly include pitching coach Ruben Niebla, bench coach Brian Esposito, baseball operations special assistant A.J. Ellis, and former Padres infielder Mark Loretta. Whoever takes the reins will inherit one of the strongest rosters in franchise history — a core that won 183 games over the past two years, the most ever in a two-season span for San Diego.
Shildt ended his farewell letter by thanking the “Friar Faithful” for their unwavering support, writing, “Keep rocking Petco Park. It’s the best home field advantage in Major League Baseball. The team is on its way to that World Series Championship you so deserve.”
Originally published on October 13, 2025.
