The Miami Marlins are making a bold move for the 2025 season, bringing in Los Angeles Dodgers’ first base coach Clayton McCullough as their new manager. Set to become the 17th manager in franchise history, McCullough brings a decade of experience with the Dodgers organization and a 2024 World Series Championship ring.
Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix shared at the GM meetings on Wednesday that the team is nearing its decision for the managerial role, and sources now confirm McCullough is the choice. He will replace former manager Skip Schumaker, who wrapped up his tenure with Miami in September and moved to the Texas Rangers as a senior advisor to Chris Young.
McCullough’s promotion marks his first managerial position in the Major Leagues, yet his background is extensive. Before serving as the Dodgers’ first base coach for four seasons, he coordinated minor league fields for six years and spent seven seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. Notably, he earned recognition early in his career as the Florida State League and Northwest League Manager of the Year.
A key figure in player development, McCullough played an influential role in the careers of stars like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, who once referred to McCullough as his “favorite coach ever” following the 2023 Home Run Derby.
While some fans are excited to see McCullough take on this new challenge, reactions are mixed. Many Dodgers fans expressed sadness, with one commenting, “Good luck to him; we’re going to miss him in LA,” while some Marlins fans noted the contrast in budgets between the two teams: “Going from the most expensive org to the cheapest—good luck to him as a Marlins fan.”
McCullough’s baseball journey began as a minor league catcher for Cleveland after being drafted out of East Carolina University in the 22nd round of the 2002 MLB Draft. Now, he’s poised to lead the Marlins into a new era, with hopes of bringing postseason magic to Miami.
