San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler was fired from his position and offered a chance to stay with the organization in another role, general manager A.J. Preller said on Wednesday.
The Padres finished third in the National League West behind the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers after reaching the National League Division Series in 2020, Tingler’s first season as skipper in San Diego. At 116-106, Tingler was let go with the second-best winning percentage (.523) in franchise history.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 6, 2021
“Jayce accomplished a great deal in his two seasons with the Padres, leading our team through an unprecedented pandemic and into the postseason for the first time in 15 years,” Preller said. “I have tremendous respect for him as a coach, colleague and friend. After much thought and consideration over the last several weeks, we felt change was necessary at this time to ultimately reach our championship potential in San Diego.”
“It’s been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to manage the San Diego Padres and lead this group of men,” Tingler said in a statement released by the club. “I’m truly thankful for the opportunity and grateful for the tireless efforts of our players, coaches and support staff over the last two years. While I’m profoundly disappointed that our season ended far too soon, I know this team has a very bright future ahead.”
Tingler, 40, finished second in the NL Manager of the Year voting last season.
Not winning in the second half of the 2021 season was Tingler’s undoing. The Padres went 79-83 in 2021 after reaching their 67th win of the season on Aug. 10.
Frustration boiled over in the dugout in September when TV cameras caught a heated exchange between Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., the team’s two highest-paid players.
Preller did not disclose details Wednesday about Tingler’s potential role with the franchise going forward.
–Field Level Media