MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins hired Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough on Monday as the club's 17th manager.
McCullough, 44, was hired by the Dodgers in 2015 as their minor league field coordinator and had been the first-base coach on Dave Roberts' staff since the 2021 season. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games last month to win their eighth World Series title.
“Following an incredible past few weeks, it is exciting to end the year by finding the right opportunity for me and my family,” McCullough said in a statement.
McCullough is a resident of Jupiter, Florida, north of Miami.
"We have called South Florida home for the last 10 years, and now I get to lead the Marlins franchise forward with a culture that is built on determination, focus, and care,” he said.
A former minor league catcher, McCullough was a manager in the Blue Jays' minor league system for seven seasons. He McCullough led the club to winning records in six of those seven seasons.
He takes the job previously held by 2023 NL Manager of the Year Skip Schumaker, who parted ways with the team in September after just two season. The Marlins went 146-178 under Schumaker, who was hired in 2022.
“Throughout our process, his character, care for people and culture, passion for player development, and desire to win stood out and make him a perfect fit for our organization," Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix said. "He has an impressive track record of success, building relationships, and bringing positive energy every day. It’s clear that Clayton’s values and vision align perfectly with ours, and we are ready to begin working on the next exciting chapter for our club.”
McCullough spent one college season at Vanderbilt before transferring to East Carolina University. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round in 2002 and played in their minor league system from 2002-2005.
The Marlins also considered former Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz and Will Venable, a former associate manager for Texas. Venable was hired by the Chicago White Sox as their manager on Oct. 30.
Miami opens on March 27 against Pittsburgh.
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FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with first base coach Clayton McCullough (86) after an RBI single during the second inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Oct. 9, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Boston College teammates James Hagens and Ryan Leonard each scored twice and the defending champion United States routed Switzerland 7-2 on Thursday in the world junior hockey quarterfinals.
Boston University's Brandon Svoboda, Notre Dame's Danny Nelson and Denver's Zeev Buium also scored, Hampton Slukynsky of Western Michigan made 17 saves and BC’s Gabe Perreault had three assists.
“I thought we played a good back and forth game with them, got pucks behind them and went to work,” Svoboda said. “We’re a fast team, and when we play like that, we’re hard to beat. We’re watching video every day, and if we can keep improving little things then we’ll continue to be successful.”
The Group A champion Americans awaited the late quarterfinal between Canada and Czechia at Canadian Tire Centre to learn their semifinal opponent.
“Overall, I thought we were ready to play and did what we needed to do against a good opponent in Switzerland,” said U.S. coach David Carle of Denver. “We’ll get ready now for the semifinals and look forward to the challenge in front of us.”
Nils Rhyn and Andro Kaderli scored for Switzerland.
In the other quarterfinals at TD Place, Group B winner Sweden beat Latvia 3-2, and Finland topped Slovakia 5-3.
David Edstrom, Zeb Forsfjall and Anton Wahlberg scored for Sweden. Jesse Nurmi had two goals and an assist for Finland, a 4-3 overtime winner over the United States in group play.
In the relegation game, Maxim Schafer scored twice to help Germany beat Kazakhstan 4-3. Germany secured a spot next season in the tournament, while Kazakhstan was demoted to the Division I Group A tournament.
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Finland forward Rasmus Kumpulainen (18) celebrates his goal with teammates Benjamin Rautianen (37) and Konsta Helenius (19) during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Slovakia goaltender Samuel Urban (30) makes a save from a shot by Finland forward Julius Miettinen (27) during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Noa Vali (31) makes a save during first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match against Slovakia in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Arttu Alasiurua (29) falls to the ice as Slovakia forward Frantisek Dej (22) and teammate Roman Kukumberg (16) battle for the puck during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Jesse Nurmi (24) celebrates his goal with teammates Mitja Jokinen (2) and Daniel Nieminen (7) during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match against Slovakia in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Latvia defenseman Krisjanis Sarts (2) takes a shot on Team Sweden goaltender Melker Thelin (35) during the first period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Sweden forward Otto Stenberg (25) tries to score on Team Latvia goaltender Linards Feldbergs (29) as Latvia forward Davis Livsics (7) and defenseman Darels Uljanskis (15) defend during the third period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Sweden goaltender Melker Thelin (35) celebrates his team's win over Team Latvia with defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka (4) and forward Felix Unger Sorum (16) after an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinal match in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Brandon Svoboda (8) celebrates his goal with forward Austin Burnevik (23) and forward Max Plante (22) as Switzerland goaltender Christian Kirsch (1) looks on during the first period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA defenseman Logan Hensler (3) reacts as he blocks a shot with his body during second period of a quarterfinal match against Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Brandon Svoboda, left, checks Switzerland forward Simon Meier (27) as USA forward Max Plante (22) skates with the puck during the third period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (30) stretches prior to the start of the third period of a quarterfinal match against Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Ryan Leonard (9) moves towards the net as Switzerland goaltender Christian Kirsch (1) keeps an eye on the puck and defenseman Nils Rhyn (14) defends the first period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Danny Nelson (17) celebrates his goal as Switzerland forward Kimo Gruber (12) skates by during the first period of a quarterfinal match at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
