The Atlanta Braves will soon face a new leader in their NL East rival, the Miami Marlins, who have appointed Clayton McCullough as manager. McCullough, previously the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first base coach, brings experience from his time managing in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor-league system.
Marlins assistant GM Gabe Kapler, who previously worked alongside McCullough in Los Angeles, hopes this leadership shift will help elevate the team from its long-standing struggles. The Marlins closed 2023 with a third-place NL East finish and playoff appearance, though they were eliminated in the wild-card round. The 2024 season, however, saw them slump to a 62-100 record, a stark contrast to their prior year’s performance.
The Marlins’ history includes just two playoff appearances since their 2003 World Series win. McCullough becomes the team’s third manager in four years, following Skip Schumaker’s decision to pursue other opportunities after a challenging second season.
