The Padres announced this afternoon that they have named Pat Murphy their interim manager for the remainder of the 2015 season. Murphy had been serving as the team’s manager at Triple-A El Paso.
“Pat Murphy’s 30 years of experience coaching and managing, and his success at every level, stood out to me as I came to this decision,” said Padres GM A.J. Preller in the press release announcing the move. “His leadership ability, his respect in the clubhouse and his familiarity with our system will make this transition a smooth one for our players and coaching staff.”
The 56-year-old Murphy was in his third season as El Paso’s manager and spent the two years prior to that managing for San Diego’s A-Ball affiliate. He also has an extensive college coaching career, most notably with Arizona State. Murphy was long hailed as one of the best coaches in the college game, but his time at ASU wasn’t without controversy. Murphy was reportedly forced to resign in 2009 after allegations of academic fraud and recruiting violations marred his tenure as the team’s head coach.
Recently, the Brewers had interest in interviewing Murphy for a coaching position on the Major League staff, but the Padres did not grant Milwaukee permission to do so. Speculation emerged shortly thereafter that Murphy “had been made promises” by the organization. While that may or may not be the case, it does certainly seem likely that the Padres were at least considering Murphy as a possible coach, if not manager, in the event that Bud Black was let go. The Padres dismissed Black yesterday after parts of nine seasons on the job.
And if the pitching and Matt Kemp continue to suck, will they just fire him in 2 months?
The Padres gave to the Dodgers what the Dodgers gave to the Red Sox. What goes around comes around I guess.
The Dodgers gave not much to the Red Sox, other than money. The Red Sox gave Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers.
The Padres gave Yasmani Grandl to the Dodgers. The Dodgers gave Kemp to the Padres.
Win-win, Dodgers.
I am not surprised with the hire. But I wonder how Murphy’s fiery personality is going to mesh with the left over coaches & players.
About time we try some fire. Bud Black seems like the most boring, laid back guy in the league. He made Bruce Bochy look like Ozzie Guillen.
I agree fire can be good, but I’m not sure it will work when one of your highest paid players is Matt Kemp. I’m a Dodgers fan and Matt Kemp is one of my favorite players (even today), and I loved Pat Murphy at ASU; those two personalities may work perfectly together, or spell disaster.
If manager is responsible for getting value out of a multi million dollar athlete…. Then maybe the wrong person is getting paid well
Dave Roberts. Shortest managerial stint ever?
Didn’t even realize Pat Murphy was coaching for the Pads organization, good to see he landed on both feet after getting fired at ASU
I was having issues getting on the new comment board and meant to put this on yesterdays post on Blacks firing, but I will put it here today.
I was in Atlanta last week to take in the final 3 games of the Padre/Brave series. After watching those 3 games, I was saying to any Padre fan that would listen, “that the Padres need to fire Black”. Not because they lost 2 of the 3 games I saw, but the way they did. It seemed as though Balck was managing to keep his job, not to win and yes there is a difference. It was so frustrating watching these games.
Aside from those 3 games however, I do think that Balck was having an unlucky run from behind the managers desk. It seems as though every move he made this year backfired on him. Leaving a pitcher in an inning to long, the Pads would give up a lead. Pull a pitcher with a lead and the bullpen would lose the game.
Black did have a good run as Padre manager and until this last week, I thought he was “the right guy for the job”, so please do not think I was one of the “fire Black” guys who have been around for years.
As for the hiring of Murphy. the Padres obviously wanted Murphy to take ove for Black whether it be now or in the off season. He is a stark contrast to Black and maybe that is what this team needs right now. Defense aside, this team is a better than a .500 team. Just this last week, they should have taken 3 of 4 from the Braves and could/should have swept the Dodgers in that 3 game series, but the came away with only 3 wins. Add the other 3 wins they “gave away” and may Black had survived. The Padres ownership and management went all in this year and they had to try something to shake things up. Just saw that Myers is headed back to the DL, this isn’t going to help, but getting him healthy is of utmost importance going forward.
Pat the Bat is a good hire by AJ Preller