San Diego Padres started the 2023 season under Bob Melvin who had taken them to the NLCS in 2022. But 2023 took a bad turn as the results dwindled and a talented team turned mediocre. So it was only a matter of when not if Melvin will leave. After he left, whispers began about who would be their new manager. There were many names put forth, some popular and some less so. Well! it seems the answer is finally here – the new manager is the former NL Manager of the Year – Mike Shildt.

The former St. Louis Cardinal manager has been chosen as the successor of Melvin. While Shildt has gone through a lot in his career. Will he be the one to guide the Friars to that elusive World Series that they’ve wanted for so long?

San Diego Padres ready to take a big step forward

Shildt has been the senior advisor of the Friars since 2022. So he has quite a high knowledge of how the franchise operates. Famous ESPN writer Jeff Passan was the one to report this development. While the fans are certainly a bit surprised, Shildt has a pretty good record so they’re hoping that he’d turn things around for them.

So can Shildt be the one to finally guide the Padres to the promised land? He was the NL Manager of the Year in 2019 so he certainly has the credentials to lead the team. His record backs him quite a bit. Till now in his managerial career, Shildt has never had a losing season. Eliminating his first half-season in the Cardinals in 2018, he’s never had a full season with less than 90 wins. His team has always played at least the Wild Card game.

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However, his record in the postseason is less than flattering with him not able to get out of the wild card stage twice. The one time Schildt’s team did manage to go deep, he lost the NLCS in 2019. Still, he has the potential to help the San Diego Padres in their quest for the World Series. Hopefully, he doesn’t fall prey to the constant manager changeups that the Friars have become known for.

Could Schildt reverse the trend of temporary managers in the Padres?

In the past 9 years, the Pads have changed their managers 7 times. This pattern has become even more pronounced as Schildt is the third manager in 3 years for the Friars. He’d be hoping to end this revolving door policy of the Padres and give some stability to their system.

So while the San Diego Padres are trying to move forward after the demise of their owner, the best way to remember him would be to continue their winning ways. Can they gift him a World Series as a tribute this year? That certainly would be an emotional moment for all.

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