Mike Shildt shocked the baseball-verse Monday morning, announcing that he is retiring as the manager of the San Diego Padres. After guiding them to the postseason every year since he joined the team as the 23rd manager in the franchise, he has decided to walk away, leaving the team with a significant void.

But honestly, Shildt’s journey in MLB has been anything but ordinary. Back in 2021, he was dismissed as the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. The reason? The team mentioned “philosophical differences.’ At 53 years old, he had then led the Cardinals to three postseason appearances, including a franchise-record 17-game winning streak that year.

But despite all the success, the team opted to move on and get Oli Marmol, and that left Shildt on the sidelines. After he left the Cardinals, he landed in San Diego, and it didn’t take him long to make his mark. But in his letter to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee, Shildt mentioned the real reason for his sudden retirement—the toll the sport has taken on him both mentally and physically.

Despite still having two years on his contract, Shildt mentioned, “It’s time I take care of myself and exit on my terms.” He also expressed gratitude to the Seidler family and A.J. Preller for his players and assistants. But his decision is something he had to make to take care of his health.

Now, the Padres face a big question—who takes over? Several candidates are apparently in the mix, including Phil Nevin, Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, Padres special assistants AJ Ellis and Scott Servais, and Bruce Bochy. Bob Nightingale is putting his money on Bruce Bochy, saying, “If Bruce Bochy wants this job, executives ask, how can the Padres possibly say no?” But yes, the Padres will need to move quickly to ensure proper transition. Shildt’s retirement, honestly, is a reminder of how demanding managing a major league team can be. One thing is for sure—he leaves behind a legacy of helping his team reach the playoffs every season under him.

A.J. Preller’s statement reflects the Padres’ respect for Mike Shildt’s legacy

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller released a heartfelt statement after Mike Shildt announced his decision to retire as the manager. Schildt had taken over the Padres at the start of the 2024 season and made history by guiding the team to back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 2005-2006. Under his leadership, the team became serious contenders—something not seen in nearly two decades.

“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. He added, “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’s two-year run was successful, and he provided a combined record of 183-141. In both seasons, the Padres finished second in the National League West and made the playoffs through the Wild Card. They then fell to the Dodgers in the 2024 NDLS and to the Cubs in the 2025 Wild Card round. But those postseason runs for sure mark steady progress for a team that is hungry for October success.

Before leaving, Shildt had a final message to share for the fans at San Diego: “To the Friar Faithful, thanks for all the support, and 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.”