The San Francisco Giants have parted ways with manager Bob Melvin following the team’s failure to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey made the announcement on Monday, despite exercising Melvin’s contract option for the 2026 season earlier in July.
Melvin, who completed his second season with a 4-0 victory over Colorado, expressed uncertainty about his future with the team. The Giants finished the season with an 81-81 record, one more win than Melvin’s first year but fell short of reaching the postseason since their 2021 National League West title.
In a statement, Posey mentioned that after discussions with the ownership, it was decided that a change in leadership was necessary due to the team’s disappointing performance. Players, including third baseman Matt Chapman, expressed gratitude and support for Melvin, praising his consistency and honesty.
Melvin, a 63-year-old native of Palo Alto, California, fulfilled his dream of managing the Giants last year. With a career managerial record of 1,678-1,588, Melvin is a three-time Manager of the Year who has guided multiple teams to the postseason.
In a separate development, the Minnesota Twins have relieved manager Rocco Baldelli of his duties after a disappointing season. The Twins struggled after a major selloff leading up to the trade deadline, finishing with a 70-92 record, the fourth-worst in the major leagues.
Baldelli, who led the Twins to three AL Central titles during his seven-year tenure, faced uncertainty regarding his position for the second consecutive year. The team’s recent performance, with a .408 winning percentage over the past 201 games, contributed to the decision.
Additionally, Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito will miss the American League wild-card series due to an elbow injury. Giolito, a seasoned right-hander, had an impressive 10-4 record with a 3.41 ERA this season.
The average duration of a nine-inning major league baseball game increased by two minutes this season to two hours and 38 minutes. Despite the slight uptick, MLB’s average game time has seen fluctuations in recent years due to various factors, including rule changes and pitch clocks.
Moreover, MLB’s overall attendance experienced a slight increase for the third consecutive season, reaching 71.41 million fans. However, the average attendance per game dipped slightly due to fewer single-admission doubleheaders caused by weather-related postponements.
The Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays played their home games in alternative venues this season, impacting their attendance numbers. While the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers surpassed 4 million in attendance for the first time, several teams struggled to draw significant crowds.