The Padres named Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Andy Green as their manager Thursday, replacing Pat Murphy, who held the job on an interim basis before being let go at the end of the regular season.
At a news conference, Green said he hoped to recreate the type of excitement he remembered from Petco Park when pitcher Trevor Hoffman entered from the bullpen to close out a game, accompanied by the AC/DC song "Hell's Bells."
He also said he didn't plan to impose his style on the Padres players, but hoped to create a culture for them to buy into.
Green, a 38-year-old who is married and has three daughters, was a bit of a surprise choice by general manager A.J. Preller following reports that the finalists were former Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and Pirates coach Rick Sofield.
Preller said he had no history with Green before the interview process began about two and a half weeks ago.
"He checked a lot of the boxes that we look for, and he brought a lot of the characteristics we were looking for to the table," Preller said.
Green played one season for the New York Mets and three for the Diamondbacks before launching a coaching career. He was a two-time Manager of the Year in the Southern League, while leading the Mobile BayBears in 2013 and 2014.
Murphy, who led the Padres after the firing of nine-year manager Bud Black in June, was hired as the bench coach of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Multiple reports say Black, a San Diego State University alumnus who lives in Rancho Santa Fe, is set to become manager of the Washington Nationals.
