Mike Shildt stood in a corner of the visiting clubhouse at Wrigley Field after the Padres’ final game of 2025.

He spoke in a soft voice about the love he had for his players and the culture that had been built in his two seasons as manager.

He was devastated and proud and tired.

And he was done.

He was fairly certain of that as he looked around the room that night after a 3-1 loss to the Cubs in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.

Nine days later, Shildt made his retirement official.

After two seasons as the Padres’ manager, he is walking away from a contract that has two years remaining, citing a “severe toll” the job has taken on him “mentally and physically.”

He managed the Cardinals for three-plus seasons until he was fired for a ‘philosophical difference’ after th

See Full Page