Former big leaguer and “Foul Territory” podcast co-host A.J. Pierzynski gave an eye-opening description about the lengths MLB went to ensure Mike Shildt wouldn’t manage the San Diego Padres from afar while serving a one-game suspension.
Shildt was suspended for his role in a benches-clearing incident after Fernando Tatis Jr. got hit in the hand by a pitch last Thursday during the Padres’ 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Shildt went onto the field to check on Tatis, he started yelling at Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who came out and went back at Shildt.
Padres broadcast caught the moment that Mike Shildt and Dave Roberts got face to to face pic.twitter.com/FOPsbTEOO9 https://t.co/RyJ2Vu6IUa
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 20, 2025
Both benches and bullpens cleared to separate the two managers. Shildt and Roberts were both ejected from the game and given one-game suspensions.
Shildt served his suspension during Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, and Pierzynski revealed what MLB officials did to prevent the Padres manager from interacting with his staff.
“Did you all know that he was locked in his office, OK, for the game? And there’s MLB people that sit in there with him to make sure he doesn’t pick up the phone to call down to the dugout,” Pierzynski said on the podcast. “He can’t leave his office… MLB people are watching him everywhere.”
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
The Padres lost that Friday night game to the Royals 6-5 but won the next two contests. San Diego sits a half-game behind for the last NL Wild Card spot and five games back of the first-place Dodgers.
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