When the San Diego Padres began their search for what would become their fifth full-time manager in eight years, Craig Stammen, then a member of their front office, was among those interviewing candidates, asking questions on video conferences, sources familiar with the process told ESPN.
In the end, Stammen got the job himself.
Stammen, a highly regarded former reliever who pitched as recently as three years ago, was announced as the Padres' new manager on Thursday, shocking people throughout the industry who were unaware he was even considered a candidate.
Stammen, who signed a three-year deal, will succeed Mike Shildt, who announced shortly after the season that he would retire.
The Padres' front office -- led by chairman John Seidler, chief executive officer Erik Greupner and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller -- initially made a list of roughly 50 potential candidates to replace Shildt, a source familiar with the process said.
Roughly 10 of them sat in on video conferences that constituted the initial interview phase, and Stammen, who holds the title of special assistant to the major league staff and baseball operations, was among a group of close to 20 Padres representative asking questions of candidates.
The Padres have long held Stammen in high regard and saw him as a potential candidate, but at that time, a source said, Stammen himself was uncertain if he would take part. Later, after the initial phase, Stammen opted in and removed himself as an interviewer.
Texas Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla and future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols were also considered finalists in the search, though others could have been involved too. In the end, though, it went to Stammen, who is now the only former pitcher to serve as a current manager in Major League Baseball.
"Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade," Preller wrote in a statement. "He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the manager's chair. As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him. His strength of character, competitive nature and talent for bringing people together make him the ideal choice to lead the Padres."
Stammen spent 13 seasons in the majors, mostly as a relief pitcher. The last six, from 2017 to 2022, were spent with the Padres, where he was lauded for his leadership qualities and seen by many as a glue guy in their clubhouse. He made 333 appearances, which rank fifth in team history.
He announced he would retire in August of 2023, in the wake of a spring training shoulder injury, and was subsequently hired to the front office for a role in which he alternated helping at the major league level and assisting in player development.
Stammen will now serve as the sixth full-time manager under Preller, following Bud Black, Andy Green, Jayce Tingler, Bob Melvin and Shildt. The Padres are still seeking the first World Series championship in franchise history and have made the playoffs three of the last four years. Last month, after winning 90 games and finishing second in the National League West, they were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs in the decisive Game 3 of the wild-card round.
The Padres are expected to seek starting pitching and at least one impact bat this offseason, but Stammen will inherit a core group of players who should make them instant contenders again, headlined by Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta and Mason Miller.
The announcement comes in the wake of several unconventional manager hires that have taken place this offseason. College coach Tony Vitello was hired by the San Francisco Giants; 33-year-old Blake Butera landed with the Washington Nationals; and another rookie manager (Kurt Suzuki) got only a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Colorado Rockies are the only remaining team without a permanent manager.