Pads hire ex-reliever Stammen as new manager

In a surprising twist, the San Diego Padres on Thursday hired Craig Stammen, a former relief pitcher who retired just three years ago, to a three-year deal as their new manager.

Stammen succeeds Mike Shildt, who announced after the season that he would retire. In the three weeks that followed, the Padres interviewed a slew of candidates and were reportedly down to Texas Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla and future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols.

Chicago Cubs in the decisive Game 3 of the wild-card round.

The announcement comes in the wake of several unconventional manager hires that have taken place this offseason. College coach Tony Vitello was hired by the San Francisco Giants; 33-year-old Blake Butera landed with the Washington Nationals; and another rookie manager (Kurt Suzuki) got only a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

Stammen is now the only former pitcher who is a current manager.