NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 8, 2024

Mike Shildt

Petco Park

San Diego Padres

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. I know you're not a big consumer of media but you've probably seen the last day. Dave Roberts had some comments about Manny. I wonder what you thought of both the situation and Dave's comment?

MIKE SHILDT: Well, I come from maybe just a different philosophy of dealing with this. I couldn't help but have people share them with me so I'm aware of them.

Listen, I got into this game to help players get the most out of their God-given ability and to compete on the field and respect the opponent. I'm not nor will I ever disparage another player on another team, especially anybody I've managed in the past nor will I do it to a collective team. That's not how I want to operate.

I have a lot of respect for their club, the players on their club.

As far as Manny goes, it's unfortunate people can't move on from things from the past. I thought Manny's exhibition of professionalism and leadership were on display the other night in a very tough environment.

He nor I nor anyone would profess to be perfect, but Manny has made some strides that are very impressive both on and off the field. It's been a privilege to witness that.

It's representative of him being a Roberto Clemente Award winner and I expect him to win it. I get the privilege of seeing him, along with our players, behind the scenes do some really special things for young people, our community.

But people have their right, clearly, to share what they want and how they want to share it.

As far as the comments about the team, again, "privilege" keeps coming up in my head. It's beyond a privilege. I've been doing this for 30-plus years. We all have our transgressions we have. None of us are perfect.

But I can speak to the heart of caring about people and players. And been with teams for a long time that represent themselves with class and dignity. And I don't have to defend this team. This team does not need my defense nor do our players need to defend themselves.

Again, very tough environment the other evening. I thought they handled themselves exceptionally well. Yeah, they had the right to defend themselves, but they also were able to stay focused and participate. And, oh, by the way, we play a baseball game.

Again, our club doesn't need to be defended. I love the joy that our club brings. I love the enthusiasm they bring I love the freedom they play with. And, again, I love their heart for our community and our organization. That's as far as I'll go.

Q. Does this situation need to be de-escalated, or is it good for the game?

MIKE SHILDT: I don't think it's good for the game. I think this game stands on its own merits. We have the best game, I'm biased, I've been in it 100 years. But the theater that is postseason baseball, the excitement of it.

The good news about it, it's no longer even America's game. It's the world's game. It's an international game. It's the international game. I mean, you look at it and I couldn't be more pleased with the direction that our game's going. Couldn't be more privileged to be a part of it.

But our game, with all the different really good storylines -- you look at the number of countries represented in our game today, the number of languages. You look at the passionate fan bases that love the teams. That's what we're here for. That's what this game's about.

This game, just like the players, doesn't need any defense, doesn't need anything to heighten it, to bring any attention to it. It's a beautiful game that's very well run from our leadership. And the theater of this sport is plenty enough.

Q. One way maybe to defuse it, any thoughts of sending Manny out with the lineup card with Dave?

MIKE SHILDT: Actually Escobar, our bench coach, will take the lineup card out. I don't think Dave shows up for the lineup card either after the first game of the series.

We've done our very best to defuse it. Again, Ace asked the appropriate question, I answered it. I shared my thoughts.

The conversations that I've had will be private and one-on-one, which will take place and have. That's the old school in me. Let's just go play baseball.

Q. Do you believe in any way that Manny was trying to hit Dave Roberts?

MIKE SHILDT: Zero.

Q. Are you surprised it escalated the way it has?

MIKE SHILDT: I don't think there was -- I mean, listen, that's the answer to it. I don't want to cast stones. I'm just not. The answer to your question is no. I don't think there was any intent at all with that.

Manny has exceptional arm talent. I think he proved that on the triple play.

Q. Your club sent out a message to all the fans last night. I'm sure you saw it. Basically the long and the short of it, they asked them to behave. What do you expect to see out of your own fans here at the ballpark tonight?

MIKE SHILDT: A healthy escalation of what we saw all season that led into the first series against Atlanta that will lead into the game tonight -- a very passionate, encouraging, hungry, loud fan base that knows where the line is. You hope there's not one or two people that don't do anything that cast a poor shadow, which I think probably is exactly what happened in Los Angeles, more or less.

I just want to go out and play clean baseball, compete, have one more run at the end of the game and have the fans enjoy it and celebrate with us.

Q. What's your pitching plans for tomorrow?

MIKE SHILDT: We're going to have a starter.

Q. You will?

MIKE SHILDT: The top of the first. I promise you we'll run out a guy at the top of the first who we'll announce later at the end of the game. But there's a lot of moving parts to it. We're not being coy. We're just playing today.

Q. A lot of moving parts meaning like it could be contingent on who pitches tonight in the game, the relievers and pitcher, will you have a decided guy at some point before first pitch tonight?

MIKE SHILDT: We'll have a decision after the game. The game will help dictate it.

Q. When you say "we'll have a starter," is that a literal term?

MIKE SHILDT: Well done. I appreciate you, man.

We have a guy that will start the baseball game. (Laughter). And I'm sure at some point in his life, in Little League or American Legion or college, has started a game.

Q. Bogaerts is in the lineup. Can you take us through how he got through yesterday and how he feels today?

MIKE SHILDT: I haven't seen him yet. Could have played yesterday. I talked to him. He was in there getting treatment. But all indications, as of now, he's more than ready to go and compete.