In a thrilling new chapter for the Miami Marlins, former Los Angeles Dodgers’ first-base coach, Clayton McCullough, is poised to take the reins as the team’s next manager—an insider revealed to the Associated Press. The announcement, shrouded in anticipation, has not yet been officially confirmed, although whispers of this transition have begun to circulate, with ESPN being the herald of this significant change.
At the age of 44, McCullough has a rich tapestry of experience, having first joined the Dodgers’ organization back in 2015 as a minor league field coordinator. His ascent within the team culminated in his role as first-base coach on Dave Roberts’ coaching staff since the 2021 season. Just last month, he witnessed the Dodgers clinch their eighth World Series title, triumphing over the New York Yankees in a compelling five-game series.
Originally a minor league catcher, McCullough honed his managerial prowess within the Blue Jays’ minor league system for seven arduous seasons. Now, he steps into a role previously held by Skip Schumaker, the 2023 National League Manager of the Year, who parted ways with the Marlins after two seasons marked by a 146-178 record—a figure that surely weighs heavily in the team’s ambitions.
Hailing from Greenville, North Carolina, McCullough’s journey has been anything but linear. He began his collegiate career at Vanderbilt University before transferring to East Carolina University, where his baseball journey took a decisive turn. Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round of the 2002 draft, he toured the minor league circuit until 2005.
Interestingly, in this shifting landscape of managerial appointments, the Marlins also considered a cadre of other candidates, including Craig Albernaz, the former bench coach for the Cleveland Guardians, and Will Venable, an ex-associate manager for the Texas Rangers. However, Venable has already embarked on a new journey, having recently been appointed as the Chicago White Sox manager. Meanwhile, Albernaz seems to have withdrawn from contention altogether, solidifying McCullough’s position as the frontrunner.
As the Marlins prepare for this transformative season, all eyes will undoubtedly be on McCullough—can he harness the lessons from his Dodgers tenure to guide Miami towards a brighter, more victorious future? The stakes are high, the anticipation palpable, and the next chapter eagerly awaited.
