Despite a team-record 17-game winning streak that carried the St. Louis Cardinals to an MLB wild-card berth, Mike Shildt was fired as manager Thursday.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak cited “philosophical differences” to explain Shildt’s dismissal. He declined to expand on those differences, saying the move was “something that popped up recently.”
Mozeliak noted that Shildt was heading into the final year of his contract but said that wasn’t the sole reason for parting ways. Shildt had signed a three-year extension after the 2019 season.
Mozeliak declined to discuss possible replacements but said there are plenty of internal candidates. He said the coaches who remain under contract are expected to return next season.
Mozeliak met with Shildt and the rest of the coaching staff Friday, but the two did not meet again until Mozeliak informed Shildt of his firing.
Shildt, 53, had guided the Cardinals to the playoffs three times, including in 2021, when they rode their September winning streak to a 90-72 finish. St. Louis lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the wild-card game.
He became the 50th manager in Cardinals history in July 2018 when he was given the job on an interim basis after Mike Matheny was fired. The club removed the interim tag a month later.