It took them exactly one month from the announcement to “mutually” part ways to name Mattingly’s replacement.
In his post-playing days, Schumaker, 42, has been a coach with the Padres (2017-2021) and Cardinals (2022), but I’m guessing the lot of you remember him from his playing days in St. Louis. Schumaker was a Cardinal from 2005-2012, including three trips to the postseason (2009, 2011, 2012) and two World Series rings (2006, 2011 … he didn’t actually play in the 2006 postseason). He also got his first career hit against the Cubs that year, because of course he did.
Schumaker is the latest in a trend towards younger managers. And this choice leaves the popular managerial candidate, Joe Espada, available for a team like the White Sox, who are still looking for their next skipper.
Frankly, I don’t have many personal feelings at or about Schumaker or this decision, but I am glad to see Kim Ng getting the chance to really put her fingerprints on this Marlins organization (Derek Jeter left earlier this year). And I don’t hate that the Cardinals need to find their third bench coach in three years.
I guess I’ll also add that a hire like this doesn’t necessarily scream “BIG OFFSEASON AHEAD.” That’s rare for first-time managers. So I suppose that’s a good thing if you were worried about any potential free agent competition from the Marlins this offseason.
The Rangers, with new manager Bruce Bochy though? Not so much.