Cardinals fire Shildt over 'philosophical difference'

The St. Louis Cardinals and manager Mike Shildt have parted ways.

"We have determined that we have a philosophical difference in the direction our major-league club is going," Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in a press conference Thursday, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Shildt led the Cardinals to a 90-win season, clinching the second NL wild-card spot before losing in walk-off fashion to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2019 NL Manager of the Year possesses a 252-199 career record.

"Where we felt the team was going, we were struggling to get on the same page," Mozeliak added.

The executive noted that it was a difficult decision and the organization "didn't come to it quickly." Mozeliak described Shildt's reaction as "very shocked."

The 53-year-old Shildt led the Cardinals to three consecutive postseason appearances after taking over managerial duties in the middle of the 2018 season. This past year, he helped the club to a franchise-record 17 consecutive wins.

Mozeliak said he expects to hire a new manager over the next month and would consider an experienced skipper with knowledge of the organization, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

He also said internal candidates are being considered. San Diego Padres bench coach Skip Schumaker - who played eight seasons for the Cardinals - checks a lot of St. Louis' boxes, according to Passan.