SCHUMAKER MAKES STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION AS MARLINS MANAGER
By BILL BALLEW
Over the course of his 11-year career as a player in the major leagues, Skip Schumaker encountered nearly every type of challenge the game offers its participants. In a couple seasons he was a starting second baseman, other years his role came off the bench, and some campaigns found him fighting for a roster spot. The varied experience taught him not only how to find ways to make the most of his physical abilities but also develop a mindset of grittiness and determination that helped him become an important member of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series championship team. Those winning traits were evident during his managerial debut with the Marlins in 2023. After taking over a team that lost 93 games the year before and entered last season with only a 23.6 percent chance of reaching the playoffs (according to FanGraphs), Schumaker guided Miami to an 84-78 record and the franchise’s fourth postseason appearance, including its first in a full season in 20 years. Not surprisingly, the masses noticed Schumaker’s efforts. He was named the NL Manager of the Year, accumulating 72 votes to outdistance Craig Counsell (52) and Brian Snitker (48). Schumaker became the fourth Marlins skipper to win the award, joining Jack McKeon (2003), Joe Girardi (2006), and Don Mattingly (2020), and the eighth in major league history to achieve the feat in his first full season as a manager.
10
The ever-humble Schumaker took little credit for the recognition,
opting instead to recognize the assistance he received from every avenue. “This is a staff award,” the skipper said. “There are so many good people around me that covered the blind spots and really helped me. And then the players got us into the postseason. It’s nothing I did. I’m very fortunate to have won the award, but I’m grateful for the players and the staff around me.” Granted, every success on the field can be attributed to multiple contributors. In Schumaker’s case, he had been considered a managerial candidate before his playing days came to a close. Drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round in 2001 out of UC Santa Barbara, Schumaker spent his first seven seasons in the big leagues playing for Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa. After also observing how Mike Matheny (Cardinals, 2012), Mattingly (Dodgers, 2013) and Bryan Price (Reds, 2014-15) handled the duties of the dugout helm, Schumaker joined the Padres as a first base coach and associate manager in 2017 prior to becoming bench coach with St. Louis for the 2022 campaign. Along the way, Miami was attracted to Schumaker’s knowledge, leadership skills and ability to communicate with players. The Marlins front office also liked his experience in having been associated with winning teams, including the NL Central Divisionwinning Cardinals in 2022. “Skip has a long list of distinguished accomplishments as both a
