San Diego Padres hire former veteran pitcher as new manager

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations & General Manager A.J. Preller announced Thursday the hiring of Craig Stammen as the club's new manager.

Staamen, 41, has worked in the front office of the organization for the past two seasons and was also a former pitcher for the club. He was inked to a three-year contract as manager.

“Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade,” Preller said via a press release. “He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the Manager’s chair." 

After Staamen retired as a player in 2023, he was hired by the Padres as a special assistant to Major League staff and baseball operations.

"As both a player and in his post-playing career, Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him," Preller said.  "His strength of character, competitive nature and talent for bringing people together make him the ideal choice to lead the Padres.”

Drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2005, Staamen pitched in the MLB for 13 seasons, which included seven seasons on the mound with Washington before spending his final six seasons (2017-22) with the Padres. His 333 appearances with the Padres rank fifth-most in club history.

He was also the Padres’ 2022 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.