Mike Shildt mum on ‘philosophical differences’ that led to firing by St. Louis Cardinals
During a 10-minute statement on Monday afternoon, Mike Shildt expressed overwhelming gratitude for the support of the St. Louis Cardinals organization throughout his career and grew emotional discussing the love and support of his family.
But he declined to answer questions or refute what he referred to as “rumors” surrounding his sudden firing last Thursday as the club’s manager.
Speaking from his home in North Carolina, Shildt thanked some of the stalwart behind-the-scenes figures of the organization, including George Kissell, David Ricketts, and “close mentors and friends of mine,” Gary LaRocque and Mark DeJohn.
He also expressed appreciation for the wisdom he received from Cardinal legends like Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Red Schoendienst, Jason Isringhausen, Chris Carpenter and Albert Pujols, mentioning that those still living had all reached out to offer their support.
One thing Shildt did not do, however, is offer any clarity to the “philosophical differences” that were cited as the reason for his departure.
“I was taught not to talk out of school,” he said, “and while clearly there were differences that led to this parting of ways, out of respect for the organization and the people that run it, I can only express my gratitude.”
“I’m at peace with the way I’ve left the players and the staff in a very positive position. I’m excited for the team in 2022.”
Reports in San Diego from both The Athletic and the San Diego Union-Tribune have linked Shildt to the vacant Padres manager position, and he did nothing to dispel those rumors.
“As for me, I look forward to connecting with my family and growing and I definitely look forward to the next opportunity in baseball, which I’m sure will be many and help grow the players in our great game,” he said.
More than his successes in the major leagues, which included leading the Cardinals to the playoffs in each of his three full seasons as manager, Shildt touted his 13 years as part of the player development system. Rising from a part-time coach and scout to a big league manager is no small feat, and Shildt took time to acknowledge the long road which he traveled to reach that peak.
“It was a privilege to help shepherd our system and reward that trust with players that came up and contributed to another era of successful Cardinals baseball,” he said, pointing out that Baseball America recognized the Cardinals as their Minor League Organization of the Year in 2011 and 2013.
It was in that context, too, that he first made mention of President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak, mentioning a 2007 meeting after Mozeliak’s promotion to general manager at which it was decreed the organization would rely increasingly on home grown talent.
Shildt and Mozeliak worked together to develop that talent, and it was Mozeliak himself who first hired Shildt in late 2003. Shildt said he was “very very appreciative of [the] trust” of both the front office and the ownership group, without divulging much about his relationship with the man who has over the last five days even more firmly cemented himself as the alpha and omega of baseball decisions with the Cardinals.
One person who did receive special attention was bench coach Oliver Marmol, who Shildt managed as a minor league player and then elevated to be his bench coach starting with the 2019 season. Marmol, a leading candidate to take over as manager, was described by Shildt as having his, “deepest and most trusted respect,” perhaps tipping his hand and revealing the person Shildt believes to be his most appropriate replacement.
The most emotional moment of the statement — the one at which Shildt paused to joke that there’s no crying in baseball — was when Shildt reached his acknowledgment of his wife, Michelle, and stepdaughters. The couple was married during spring training in 2020, just before camps shut down, and Shildt described them as, “amazing support for me over the last three years and beyond rocks for me during this challenging transition.”
With a year’s salary still owed to him and in the midst of a job search, there should have been little to no expectation that Shildt would go out throwing bombs. Still, for a man recently unceremoniously dumped by an organization after an 18-year career, Shildt went out of his way to avoid prompting any controversy.
“I respect and hope that any rumors or innuendo that are out there can be left to just ... let’s move forward, and let’s take care of maintaining the integrity of the future of the organization.”
A company man, to the last.
