Marlins' Schumaker “grateful” after probably last home game

Although Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker admitted that “we don't know what's going to happen,” the leader of the last-place National League East club mentioned the possibility that he may have to look for a new job next week.

After Miami's final home game of the season, a 5-4 loss Sunday to the Atlanta Braves at loanDepot Park, Schumaker answered honestly and candidly when asked if he thought this might be his last game in South Florida.

“For me personally, this is a pretty strange moment in my career,” he said. “I'm extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to manage the Miami Marlins, even if it was only for a few years.”

The Marlins are 57-99, one season after advancing to the NL postseason, and just completed a home schedule that saw them go 30-51. Heading into their six-game road trip to Minnesota and Toronto, the Marlins are 35.5 games behind the Eastern champion Philadelphia Phillies, the same team Miami faced in the playoffs last October.

“I've learned a lot in the last few years, there have been many ups and downs, but it's also been exciting,” Schumaker said of his time in office. “I've made a lot of friends here. These relationships will stay with you forever.”

Eleven months ago, Schumaker was named NL Manager of the Year after completing his rookie season with the club, garnering 72 votes, significantly more than finalists Craig Counsell and Brian Snitker.

“It was never about me,” he said after winning the award. “I just did everything I could to win that day.”

The Marlins restructured their management team during the offseason, and as the new season began, reports quickly emerged that new President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix might be taking a new direction.

It didn't help that Miami began the season with a nine-game losing streak that included three opponents: the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Los Angeles Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals, who are far from the playoffs. The Marlins finished April 7-24, and it seemed like the club was already looking to the future at that point.

“Someone had to give me a chance first,” Schumaker said. “And I'll never forget that. So I don't know if this is the end or not, but I'm super grateful that I got this chance.”