Mike Shildt, who led the San Diego Padres to two of their best seasons ever, has quit, ending his 34-year baseball career.
After Two Playoff Seasons, Shildt Leaves Job to Protect Mental Health
The 57-year-old manager, who still had two years on his contract, said the job’s stress and the growing pressure from modern sports betting made him decide to leave. The intensity of managing has had an impact on his mental health, and the rise of sports gambling added to the pressure he felt.
Shildt’s choice, which he told team officials about last weekend and made public on Monday, stunned the baseball community, reported The San Diego Union-Tribune. Even with back-to-back 90-win seasons and two straight playoff appearances, he said the personal cost had grown too high to handle. In interviews after his announcement, Shildt shared that he had been thinking about quitting since August, when ongoing stress started to impact his sleep and health. He also disclosed that angry bettors had threatened him, a problem that has been on the rise across professional sports in recent years.
The ex-manager said he felt “exhausted” and wanted to prioritize his health after years of what he described as non-stop work. He said that running a top team plus dealing with angry fans whose money was at stake with each pitch had chipped away at his mental state. Sources noted that Shildt had physical signs of stress, like chest pain and losing hair, during the 2025 season.
Padres’ Shildt Highlights Impact of Legal Sports Betting on MLB
Although Shildt did not share specifics about the threats, his story highlights a wider issue affecting players and coaches in Major League Baseball. A recent poll of players showed that almost 80% think legal gambling has made fan behavior worse, with many saying they have gotten violent or threatening messages after games. One player, who stayed anonymous, said bettors now see athletes “like investments instead of people,” which seems to back up what happened to Shildt.
A.J. Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations, spoke of Shildt’s time with the team, saying it was one of commitment, passion, and success. Preller said they would start looking for a new manager right away, aiming to make it to the playoffs in 2026.
Shildt leaves with a stellar record. He won 56.1% of his games and took his teams to the playoffs five times in six full seasons as manager of St. Louis and San Diego. His strict focus on the basics helped bring stability to the Padres after years of ups and downs.In his goodbye note, Shildt thanked his players and the team but made it obvious that he now cares most about his health and inner peace.