By Jordan Long
The Miami Marlins managerial search is now over. They hired Skip Schumaker. He replaces Don Mattingly.
Mattingly had been the Marlins’ Manager since 2016. Prior to becoming the Marlins manager, Mattingly served as manager for the L.A. Dodgers from 2011 to 2015. He was very successful there with a record of 446-363. The Dodgers earned a playoff spot 3 times, 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2013 the Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series but were knocked off in 6 games by the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2015, his last year managing the Dodgers, they went to the National League Division Series but lost in a winners take all game 5 to the New York Mets. `
It was a surprise the Dodgers let Mattingly go. Teams want a manager who can lead a team to the playoffs. He did that. What cost Mattingly his job is the Dodgers expected him to get this franchise to the World Series. Mattingly never won a pennant and was let go.
Mattingly agreed to become manager of the Marlins before the 2016 season. The hope was he could change this franchise back into a winner. They hadn’t made the postseason since 2003 when they won the World Series. Miami was going to give him time to do so.
In the end, it didn’t work out. Mattingly managed them to one playoff appearance, 2020. That was the COVID shortened year when the Marlins ended with a 31-29 record, the only time Mattingly managed them to an over .500 finish. In that postseason, the Marlins knocked off the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round. In the Divisional Series against the Atlanta Braves, they were swept.
On September 25th, 2022, the Marlins announced Mattingly wouldn’t be back for the 2023 season. It’s not hard to see why. He never turned the ball club into a winner. He finished with a record of 443-587 in Miami or a winning percentage of .430.
The Marlins started a managerial search. They decided to hire Skip Schumaker. According to SI.com, Miami Marlins’ Team Chairman and Principal Owner Bruce Sherman said, “Skip has a long list of distinguished accomplishments as both a player and a coach that showcase the remarkable individual he is, as well as the high level of credibility and leadership he will bring to the dugout and the Marlins organization. He has an incredible passion and winning spirit that will set the course for the Marlins franchise.”
Schumaker has never been a Manager at any level. He played MLB baseball from 2005 to 2015. His stops include St. Louis, L.A., and Cincinnati. He won 1 World Series as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Schumaker spent this past year as the bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals as part of Oliver Marmol’s staff. The Cardinals went 93-69, winning the National League Central Division. They were knocked off in the National League Wild Card round by the Philadelphia Phillies, outscored in the series 8-3.
Schumaker has the opportunity to show what he learned as a bench coach. The surprising part is the Marlins didn’t go after a candidate who has MLB managerial experience. At least the Marlins will give Schumaker time to turn this team back into a playoff contender. The worst case is Schumaker is let go after a few losing seasons. Then it’s back to the drawing board.
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