The San Diego Padres have appointed a new head coach after Albert Pujols was unsuccessful in two interviews, opting instead for an internal promotion.

After Mike Shildt, the previous manager of the San Diego Padres in MLB, announced his retirement at the end of the season, the team officially named the new head coach today. The next season will see relief pitcher Craig Stammen, who played six seasons with the team, take over as manager, meaning that legendary player Albert Pujols, who previously interviewed for the position, has once again missed out on the role.

This season, the Padres were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, missing the National League Championship Series for the third consecutive year. Shildt, who led the team for two seasons, announced on the 14th of last month that he could no longer bear the intense pressure of baseball and decided to end his coaching career early. During this period, the Padres searched for his replacement, with reports indicating interest in Pujols. However, the team officially announced today that they have signed Stammen to a three-year contract, confirming he will serve as head coach starting next season.

Notably, since retiring in the summer of 2023, Stammen has remained with the Padres organization, working as an assistant coach and participating in the baseball operations department. He has provided guidance to minor league players and been involved in the team's management negotiations. Padres General Manager A.J. Preller highly praised him: "Honestly, we realized during his playing days that whether pitching, coaching, or managing, you want someone with his talents in a leadership role on the team."

Stammen began his MLB career in 2009, spending his first seven years with the Washington Nationals before joining the San Diego Padres in 2017. Over six seasons with the Padres, he appeared in 333 games, achieving a 29-20 record with a 3.36 ERA, becoming a key relief pitcher for the team. Later in his career, injuries troubled him, and in 2023 he faced the choice between surgery or retirement, ultimately deciding to end his playing career in August of the same year.