Orioles Hire Veteran Coach Shildt After Sudden Padres Exit

Former Padres manager finds peace in new role as Orioles instructor, mentoring young players and manager Albernaz.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:52am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt has joined the Baltimore Orioles as an upper-level instructor after a sudden retirement from managing last year. Shildt seems to be enjoying the opportunity to focus on coaching fundamentals and developing young players, a role he didn't have as much time for as a big-league manager with the high-pressure Padres.

Why it matters

Shildt's hiring provides valuable veteran experience and mentorship for the Orioles' new manager Craig Albernaz, who is in his first year leading a major league club. It also suggests Shildt may have faced off-field pressures like threats from gamblers that contributed to his abrupt Padres departure, highlighting the growing influence of sports betting in the game.

The details

Shildt led the Padres to respectable 93- and 90-win seasons the past two years, but with a star-studded roster, the expectations were extremely high. Aggressive Padres GM AJ Preller put a lot of pressure on Shildt, and there were rumblings that threats from gamblers may have also played a role in Shildt's sudden retirement. In Baltimore, Shildt is relishing the chance to get back to the fundamentals of coaching and developing young talent, rather than constantly being under the spotlight and scrutiny as a big-league manager.

  • Shildt suddenly retired as Padres manager in 2025.
  • Shildt joined the Orioles as an upper-level instructor in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Mike Shildt

A veteran baseball coach who previously served as the manager of the San Diego Padres, before suddenly retiring and then joining the Baltimore Orioles as an upper-level instructor.

Craig Albernaz

The new manager of the Baltimore Orioles, who is in his first year leading a major league club after paying his dues in the minors and as an assistant coach with the Giants and Guardians.

AJ Preller

The aggressive and high-profile general manager of the San Diego Padres, who put a lot of pressure on Shildt to win with the team's star-studded roster.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I enjoy being able to teach the fundamentals of the game and help young players in their development as they try to make it to the big leagues. When I was a manager, I was really not afforded the same opportunity to focus on the minutiae and finer points of the game.”

— Mike Shildt, Orioles Upper-Level Instructor

What’s next

The Orioles will look to Shildt's veteran experience to help guide and mentor the team's new manager, Craig Albernaz, as he takes on his first big-league managerial role.

The takeaway

Shildt's hiring by the Orioles provides valuable coaching expertise and mentorship for the team's new manager, while also highlighting the growing pressures and off-field challenges that modern managers can face, from high expectations to potential threats from the sports betting industry.