Padres ink deal with former pitcher Craig Stammen

Craig Stammen File photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego Former Padres pitcher Craig Stammen has signed a three year contract to manage his former club President of Baseball Operations General Manager A J Preller broadcasted Thursday Craig has been a strong presence in our organization for nearly a decade Preller reported He possesses deep organizational knowledge and brings natural leadership qualities to the manager s chair As both a player and in his post-playing career Craig has displayed an ability to elevate those around him His strength of character competitive nature and talent for bringing people together make him the ideal choice to lead the Padres Stammen pitched in Major League Baseball for seasons including the final six with San Diego The season will be his third with the Padres in a coaching staff front office role after stints as special assistant Major League staff and baseball operations following his Aug retirement During his career on the mound with the Washington Nationals and Padres he held a ERA and a - record in Major League appearances with starts His career appearances with San Diego are fifth-most for a pitcher in franchise history trailing Trevor Hoffman Craig Lefferts Luke Gregerson and Heath Bell The veteran right-hander used mostly in a relief role was the Padres nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award and was also selected as the Major League representative for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award In he received the Padres Chairman s Award for his philanthropic efforts and work in the public From North Star Ohio Stammen was signed by the Nationals as a th- round selection in the First-Year Sportsman Draft out of the University of Dayton