Meet the Marlins' new manager McCullough

MIAMI -- Marlins principal owner Bruce Sherman didn’t mince his words on Monday afternoon.

“I don't want an 18th manager,” Sherman said. “I want the 17th manager to stay for many years.”

The Marlins introducing Clayton McCullough at loanDepot park comes during an important juncture for the organization. Though Miami lost 100 games this past season, the farm system has been restocked. Injured pitchers are expected back to complement promising position players. According to Sherman, tens of millions of dollars are being invested into the front office, cutting-edge technology and elsewhere.

Under the guidance of president of baseball operations Peter Bendix, the Marlins envision seamlessness between the front office, the coaching staff and the hundreds of players in the system. Sherman believes the sustainability the franchise has lacked will come to fruition with Bendix and McCullough.

“He's excited,” Sherman said. “You saw the enthusiasm, but most of all ... the ability to have someone working seamlessly with the front office and in our huge commitment to the front office in multiple areas, a critical time for the Miami Marlins. And this just fits. And when I saw that fit, then I knew it was right.”

That much was apparent early on during the interview process, which proved to be a challenge in patience as McCullough was in the midst of the Dodgers’ World Series run. He spoke over the phone with Bendix, then met the group over subsequent Zoom calls. Once McCullough and his family returned home to Jupiter, Fla., the Marlins visited shortly after. Finally, McCullough came to loanDepot park.

During each interaction, McCullough’s authenticity and genuineness stood out, as did his work ethic, humility, and desire to win. Speaking to people who had worked with McCullough only reinforced those transferrable leadership traits.

“I think it's unusual to find somebody with a combination of positive traits that Clayton has, and for those to align so perfectly with my vision, with Bruce's vision, with what sold me here a year ago: the importance of people, the importance of culture, the importance of actually caring for those around you, trying to make them better,” Bendix said, “and how all of those things loop directly to winning, directly to players getting better. He had those beliefs before we spoke. He didn't know that that was our vision as well. And so for that to align so perfectly, that's why he's our manager.”

McCullough, who turns 45 on Dec. 27, interviewed for similar jobs in the past and bided his time. He spent the past 10 seasons in the Dodgers’ organization as the first-base coach (2021-24) and Minor League field coordinator (’15-20). Before then, McCullough heralded winning campaigns in six of seven Minor League seasons while part of the Blue Jays from ‘06-14, even being named Northwest League Manager of the Year (‘12) and Florida State League Manager of the Year (’11).

His experience in player development stood out and aligned with what the Marlins are trying to build from the ground up. His supporters include superstar Mookie Betts, which naturally carries a lot of weight.

“In my core, I have always loved player development, and for me, like the Major League level, it's less about inexperienced, younger players or veteran players,” McCullough said. “I found that Major League players want to be coached. They want to get better. So I think that is somewhat independent of experience levels, maybe where they're at and what is required at a given time.

“That's our job is to figure out and get to know the players that we have on our roster currently, and figure out what's the best way in which we can support them, put them first, figure out their learning styles, what makes them tick. Ultimately, our job is to be there for the players and elevate and raise their game.”

The way McCullough sees it, a team under his watch will value the importance of preparation and show up to the ballpark with the intention of winning. He will be a consistent presence in the clubhouse and in the dugout, a “terrific listener” to players whose best interests are in mind. He also will connect with the front office and staff members.

Monday might have introduced a new era with McCullough at the helm, but the work began once the season ended on Sept. 29. The Marlins want nothing more than to put 2024 behind them, and they feel as though they found the right person to do so.

“We're determined to win, also,” Bendix said. “We want to win really soon. We want to win for a long time. We want to build something that is successful every single year, year in and year out. I think Clayton can be the right leader for that.”