John Hefti - USA Today Sports
John Hefti - USA Today Sports

Cardinals fire manager Mike Matheny


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The St. Louis Cardinals announced following Saturday's game that they have dismissed Manager Mike Matheny and named Bench Coach Mike Shildtas the team's interim manager. The team also announced that Hitting Coach John Mabry and Assistant Hitting Coach Bill Mueller have been relieved of their duties.

"Mike Matheny has served the St. Louis Cardinals organization with tremendous dedication and pride and I am thankful for his service to the Cardinals over the past six and a half seasons," stated Cardinals' Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Bill DeWitt, Jr. "On behalf of the entire Cardinals organization, I would like to wish Mike the very best."

Matheny, 47, was named the Cardinals 49th manager on November 14, 2011 and compiled a 591-473 won-loss mark, ranking 5th all-time amongst Cardinals managers in wins. He helped lead the team to the postseason in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, including a National League Championship in 2013.

"These decisions are never easy, but we felt that a change in leadership was necessary as the team prepares to enter into the second half of the season," said President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. "I would like to thank Mike for his exceptional commitment and devotion to the Cardinals organization, including many fond memories of our years working together."

Shildt, 49, has been a member of the Cardinals organization since 2004 and has served on the team's Major League coaching staff the past two (2017-18) seasons. The North Carolina native managed for eight seasons in the Cardinals farm system where his clubs won league championships in 2010 and 2011 with Johnson City of the rookie Appalachian League and in 2012 with Springfield of the Texas League (AA). He most recently managed in 2016 with Memphis of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).

The team plans to hold a news conference tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. CDT with Cardinals' Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Bill DeWitt Jr., and the team's President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak, to discuss tonight's announcement and additional organizational staff changes.

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