Guardians Interview Clayton McCullough For Manager Position

Cleveland recently conducted a managerial interview with the Los Angeles Dodgers' first base coach, who has a connection to the Guardians' organization.

As one of four MLB teams seeking a new manager for next season, the Cleveland Guardians are continuing to interview candidates.

According to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, the team recently conducted an interview with Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough.

Per Hoynes, Cleveland is said to have “came away impressed” from the interview.

The 43-year-old McCullough served as a Minor League manager for seven seasons (2007-2013) in the Toronto Blue Jays’ player development system, compiling a 402-367 record. He won consecutive Northwest League Championships with the Vancouver Canadians in 2012 and 2013.

Sep 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mookie Betts (50) is greeted by first base coach Clayton McCullough (86) after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium / © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After serving as Toronto’s Minor League Coordinator of Instruction in 2014, McCullough became the Dodgers’ Minor League Field Coordinator from 2015 through 2020. He was then named Los Angeles’ first base coach in 2021, which remains his current role.

McCullough also has ties to the Guardians’ organization, as he was a 22nd-round pick by Cleveland in the 2002 MLB Draft as a catcher. While McCullough was never promoted to MLB as a player, he played four seasons in Cleveland’s Minor League system. He hit .197 with one home run, 25 RBI, and six doubles, reaching as far as Triple-A in 2005.

McCullough becomes at least the third external candidate to interview for Cleveland’s manager vacancy, joining San Francisco Giants bullpen and catching coach Craig Albernaz and New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza.

Per Hoynes, the Guardians, “are looking for a young manager who can handle analytics, in-game strategy and the clubhouse.”

Regardless, Cleveland will have some tough shoes to fill for their manager position, as Terry Francona was the franchise’s all-time winningest manager.