‘My hero’: How Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker is honoring his father this season
Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker doesn’t need too many words to describe what his father, Wayne, means to him.
“My dad was obviously my hero growing up,” Schumaker said.
That’s why the past couple weeks have been so tough for Schumaker. After dealing with health issues for the past couple years, Wayne died on March 19 from congestive heart failure. He was 72.
Schumaker left spring training twice to be with his father and family in Southern California over Wayne’s final days. The funeral was Monday, and Schumaker returned to South Florida on Tuesday for the Marlins’ final few days of preparation before the season.
“He went peacefully,” Schumaker said, “and that’s all you can ask for.”
When the season begins Thursday and the Marlins host the Pittsburgh Pirates at loanDepot park, Schumaker will showcase his first tribute to his father.
The Marlins’ manager is switching his number from 55, which he has worn for most of his baseball career, to No. 45 — his dad’s number when he played football and basketball in high school.
(Right-handed pitcher Sixto Sanchez was originally set to wear No. 45. He will now wear No. 18.)
“I felt like it was a good tribute to him this year,” Schumaker said. “Sixto was nice enough to give me his number. I’m not going to tell you what I gave him back, but I think it was a really nice gesture from him, and I’m excited to wear it.”
He’s also excited for the season to start. The grind of the 162-game season gives Schumaker something to focus on, and will also allow him to heal at his own pace.
While Wayne was never the biggest baseball fan, he committed himself to appreciating the sport once Schumaker began playing. Even the nickname “Skip” comes from dad back in Schumaker’s tee ball days.
“I could do a lot of things athletically, but skipping for whatever reason was an issue,” Schumaker said at his introductory press conference, “... and he thought it’d be funny to nickname me Skip. Here we are about 40 years later.”
Schumaker inherited his dad’s passion and unwavering loyalty, both traits that were on full display in his first season in Miami.
It was a key reason the Marlins made unexpected (at least externally) trip to the playoffs in Schumaker’s first season, a successful campaign that earn him National League Manager of the Year honors.
And it’s a key reason why the Marlins have confidence they can make another run this season.
“The expectations are trying to win every game,” Schumaker said. “That’s the expectation. When you come into the park, you expect to win and get better.”
Schumaker has the support system to get it done. He thanked Marlins chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman as well as president of baseball operations Peter Bendix for giving him the personal time he needed. He also knows his coaching staff was able to handle the workload while he was gone.
“Family is what it’s all about,” Schumaker said. “I’m very grateful for them in letting me spend some time with the family back in California. The coaching staff’s been great. ... I had no worries at all.”
.JPG)