San Diego Padres hire Craig Stammen as manager

Earlier this morning, from deep in the heart of Kentucky, there was a tweet...

Craig Stammen being named the new manager of the San Diego Padres didn't seem to make any sense at all, considering he had never been publicly listed as someone that was on the team's shortlist or someone that had interviewed previously.

Also, had a middle reliever ever actually been a manager in the majors? Especially one with no prior experience?

While everyone kind of laughed it off and wondered why a sports radio host from Kentucky was trying to break Padres news, Kevin Acee confirmed it:

Well, I guess the Padres finally have a manager?

Former Padres relief pitcher Craig Stammen was hired almost two years ago into the Padres' Baseball Operations department, where his official title was "Special Assistant, ML Staff & Baseball Operations". That's the same title as A.J. Ellis and Scott Servais, two guys that were rumored to be in the running to become the team's next manager.

Stammen spent his first seven MLB years with the Washington Nationals before signing with the Padres as a free agent in 2016. He spent six years with the Padres before retiring as a player.

We'll wait to hear who Stammen has ready to come in as his bench coach and hitting coach, replacing those holes in the coaching staff, while A.J. Preller and the front office get to work on free agency (teams can sign players from other teams starting later today).

Here's what the new Padres manager looks like in a press conference environment: