“I don’t regret standing up for a guy that I love in Tati and a team that I love, a city that I love, and an organization that I love,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said after the bench-clearing incident against the Dodgers. Shildt came out of the dugout after Fernando Tatis Jr. was struck by a pitch. A fight broke out as the Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, stepped in as well. And eventually, both managers were suspended.
Later, to ensure that Shildt didn’t have any control in either managing the team or making off-field decisions during the period of suspension, MLB undertook a unique move. Any guesses what was that? Well, MLB stationed their own personnel to keep the Padres manager in check. The purpose of the move was to ensure that he had no contact with the dugout.
“Did you all know that he was locked in his office, okay, for the game? And there was MLB personnel sitting there with him and making sure that he doesn’t pick up the phone or call down to the dugout, like they are locked in the office and can’t leave his office,” A.J. Pierzynski revealed on the Foul Territory.
So, what if Shildt needed to go to the washroom? Well, the MLB personnel would follow him there as well, per Pierzynski. Shildt just had to stay back in his seat and watch the game on TV.
MLB had people watching Mike Shildt in his office at Petco Park while he was serving his suspension in case he tried to manage the game from afar. pic.twitter.com/JcS290UNiw
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 23, 2025
During the game against the Dodgers, Shildt rushed out to inspect Tatis Jr. after Dodgers’ pitcher Jack Little plunked him on his right hand. Tatis was soon on the ground, visibly in pain. And just as Shildt exchanged words with the Dodgers dugout, Dave Roberts was quick to intervene. While Tatis Jr. was removed from the game, Shildt and Roberts were ejected too. But that was not the end!
During the bottom of the sixth inning, Robert Suárez pitched one against Shohei Ohtani, which hit his right shoulder. The fastball that he threw peaked at 100 mph. But Ohtani made sure the benches weren’t cleared this time, as he signaled to the dugout to stay calm and the dugout listened.
But Shildt’s suspension definitely had a negative impact on the Padres, as they lost their next game against the Kansas City Royals.
Shildt’s suspension turned out costly for the Padres
Mike Shildt’s June 21 suspension ended up being a disaster for the San Diego Padres, as they lost a close game to the Kansas City Royals 5–6.
It was the Royals fourth consecutive win on the road and their 38th of the season. And in doing so, they even got back to .500. All eyes were on Jonathan India, who managed three RBIs to lead the team to victory. Salvador Perez was able to make an impact as well, with another RBI single in the eighth inning.
However, that says a lot about Shildt’s importance to the team. With a career winning percentage of .562, Shildt is the sixth winningest manager in baseball history. His impact is so significant that immediately after his return, the Padres defeated the Royals 5-1 and 3-2 in the final two games of the series. Post that though, they suffered a 6-10 loss to the Nationals in the first game of another series.
Given that they are sitting third in NL West, the Padres hardly have any room for error as the season progresses. It will be interesting to see how Shildt turns things around from here.
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