On Sunday, it was announced that longtime Dodgers minor league coach Clayton McCullough had been named as the new manager of the Miami Marlins, an excellent choice for the 2024 NL East last place Marlins.
What makes this transaction significant for the Dodgers is that the 44-year-old Oxford, NC native and seven-year MiLB manager was in line to replace longtime Dodgers coach Skip Schumaker as their permanent (if there is such a thing) first base coach after ‘Schu’ left the organization when his two-year contract with the Dodgers ended on September 29, 2024.
The irony here is that McCullough spent a grand total of 16 games as the Dodgers new first base coach, all of which were postseason games, including their five 2024 World Series games.
(Jay Biggerstaff)
Although it is certainly no surprise that McCullough with his impressive minor league resume would eventually land a major league managing job somewhere, it immediately raises the question of who will replace him in the Dodgers first base coaching box moving forward?
With the 2024-25 off-season less than two weeks old, the (now) defending World Series champs certainly have plenty of time to make this very significant decision. But filling McCullough’s shoes with someone of his talents and skill set will be difficult.
…or will it?
For Dodgers fans who also follow the team’s minor league affiliates, more specifically, the recently renamed Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, the decision may have already been made – 53-year-old Anderson, SC native Travis Barbary, who spent the last five seasons as the OKC manager, excluding the 2020 COVID-19 canceled season.
…or has it?
In his five seasons at the OKC helm, Barbary put up a 382-334 record for a 53.277 winning percentage. And though these most certainly aren’t earth-shattering numbers, it is a well established fact that ‘Trav’ (as he is affectionately known) has always had an excellent relationship with his players, a good many of whom currently occupy a locker in the Dodgers clubhouse.
(Jeff Gallemore)
So, who will it be?
Stay tuned…
Play Ball!
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