Marlins Hire Clayton McCullough As Manage

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Nov. 11: The Marlins have now formally announced the hiring. Nov. 10: The Marlins have hired Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as their new manager, ESPNs Alden Gonzalez reports ( ). This is the 44-year-old McCulloughs first job as a skipper at the big league level. It was no secret that the Marlins would be moving on from at seasons end, and Miami interviewed such names as McCullough, then-Rangers a sociate manager , Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz, Tigers bench coach , and the Marlins own former bench coach Luis Urueta (who worked on Schumakers staff). After speaking with over 10 candidates in Zoom interviews, the Marlins then met with Venable and Albernaz for in-person interviews, seemingly establishing the two as finalists. However, Venable was then by the White Sox as their new manager, while Albernaz chose to remain in Cleveland and of the running for the managerial jobs in both Chicago and Miami. This left the Marlins turning to another candidates, and wrote that the club had an in-person meeting with McCullough this past week in McCulloughs home in Jupiter, Florida. Since the Marlins hold their Spring Training camp in Jupiter, it makes for something of a homecoming for McCullough as he embarks on his new chapter in his career. McCullough was a minor league catcher in Clevelands farm system from 2002-05 before beginning his coaching career at age 27 as the Jeffrey Springs Jersey manager of the Blue Jays Gulf Coast League rookie ball affiliate. McCullough managed in Torontos farm system from 2007-14, working his way up the ladder to manage at all three A-level affiliates before leaving the organization to join the Dodgers in 2015. Initially working as the Dodgers minor league field coordinator, McCullough spent a couple of years working with (now the Marlins a sistant GM) when Kapler was Los Angeles director of player development. The move to the big league coaching staff came in 2021, and McCullough has been the L.A. first base coach for the last four seasons. It wasnt long before McCulloughs name began to surface in managerial searches around the league, as McCullough was a candidate for vacancies with the Mets, Brewers, Guardians, and Royals in recent years, in addition to the consideration from the White Sox this very offseason. The Royals job was probably McCulloughs closest call, as he was reportedly two years ago before Kansas City opted to hire Matt Quatraro. McCullough now faces a tough challenge in his first managerial gig, as the Marlins are coming off a 100-lo s season. Miamis wild card berth in the 2023 playoffs seems like ages ago now, since the club parted ways with general manager Kim Ng and hired Peter Bendix as the new president of baseball operations. Bendixs first a signment has been to reinforce the minor league system and tear down the MLB roster, leaving Miami fans facing yet another rebuild. There obviously isnt any pre sure on McCullough to win any time soon, as his chief task will be to oversee a pretty inexperienced roster. Rather than wins or lo ses, McCulloughs immediate results will be gauged on how the young Marlins (both on the active roster and coming up from the farm) can develop at the big league level. McCulloughs history as a minor league manager will surely help in this regard, as will his pedigree as a coach with a World Series-winning team. With the Marlins decision now made, the managerial hiring cycle is now complete for the offseason, barring any unexpected firings in the coming weeks or months. McCullough joins Venable and Reds manager Terry Francona as new bench bo ses heading into the 2025 season. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images Raimel Tapia Jersey