The Miami Marlins have named Clayton McCullough, the former first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the team’s 17th manager, the club announced on Monday. McCullough, 44, joined the Dodgers in 2015 as their minor league field coordinator and had served as first-base coach under manager Dave Roberts since 2021. McCullough was part of the Dodgers’ staff that won the World Series last month, defeating the New York Yankees in five games.
“It’s exciting to end the year with the right opportunity for me and my family after such an incredible few weeks,” McCullough said in a statement. A resident of Jupiter, Florida, north of Miami, McCullough added, “We’ve called South Florida home for the last 10 years, and now I get to lead the Marlins forward with a culture built on determination, focus, and care.”
McCullough, a former minor league catcher, previously managed in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system for seven seasons, leading the club to winning records in six of those years.
He succeeds Skip Schumaker, the 2023 NL Manager of the Year, who parted ways with the team in September after two seasons. Under Schumaker, the Marlins posted a 146-178 record.
“We were impressed by Clayton’s character, his passion for player development, and his drive to win,” said Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix. “His track record of success, relationship-building, and positive energy make him a great fit for our organization. We’re excited to start this new chapter with him.”
McCullough played one season at Vanderbilt before transferring to East Carolina University. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round of the 2002 MLB Draft and played in their minor league system from 2002 to 2005.
Other candidates for the Marlins job included former Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz and Will Venable, who was an associate manager for the Texas Rangers before being hired as manager of the Chicago White Sox on October 30.
The Marlins’ 2024 season begins on March 27 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
