With the Dodgers slumping down the stretch into fourth place, and the hitting about as awful as it has been in years, what better time to herald the news that Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly will succeed Joe Torre as Dodgers manager in 2011:
Torre, the fifth-winningest manager in MLB history, is in the final year of a three-year contract. Mattingly has been the Dodgers hitting coach since the All-Star break of 2008.
"Over the past three years, I've had the opportunity to work with Don closely and have gotten to know him both personally and professionally and I'm convinced that he's the right person to lead the Dodgers," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in a news release. "His work ethic is unparalleled, his baseball knowledge is vast and his leadership skills have been established during more than three decades in professional baseball.
"Donnie has also learned alongside the best in the business. Joe Torre has been a great friend, a strong leader and an incredible presence for this organization and I cannot thank him enough for his service to the Dodgers. I respect his decision to step aside and I look forward to the day where I can watch him take his rightful place in Cooperstown among baseball's legends."
Mattingly, 49, was a six-time All-Star as a first baseman for the Yankees and American League MVP in 1985. He has never managed at any level, but when he joined the Dodgers with Torre three years ago, there was no secret that he would be groomed to replace Torre.
"The opportunity to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers is truly an honor," Mattingly said in the release. "There are few organizations in the world with the history, tradition and track record of success as the Dodgers. I'm looking forward to continuing what I came here to accomplish with Joe and that's to win a World Championship." Don Mattingly will replace Joe Torre as Dodgers manager, effective for the 2011 season.
I don't think that Albuquerque Isotopes manager Tim Wallach is the only Dodger fan shaking his head in disbelief right now. And I suppose I can also deduce that Joe Torre has reached the decision that he's not coming back next year (as Dodgers manager).
10 comments:
I knew I should have waited for the official post before pulling the trigger on my thoughts.
I guess if Wallach sticks around in ABQ, that means Donnie B's on a short leash.
Am I the only one that thinks that Neddy has really lucked out through the last few managment changes?
I wonder if he'll get another free pass next year with a first year manager at the helm.
This assumes he isn't doing exactly as ownership has directed him, which may be inaccurate.
GAHHH! So today I was supposed to drive to Reno to watch the Cal-Nevada game (Go Bears!!). But me and my friend couldn't confirm we could go until yesterday. We found tickets on craigslist, but when we went to go get them, we got stood up! So no Reno road trip =(.
Beer factor = Rising
Surly factor = Falling
First bad move for 2011.
The death march continues.
I agree with Josh. Wallach will stick around as the fall-back position. If he turns out to be a bust, I hear Davey Johnson is unemployed.
SoSG Wayback Machine Realization of the Day:
Holy crap! Turns out I delurked about 6 months earlier than I thought.
MATTINGLY IS THE MANAGER? VICK IS STARTING FOR THE EAGLES? WHAT'S NEXT, CATS AND DOGS LIVING TOGETHER?
At least Donnie Baseball won't bench Kemp three days straight. Could you imagine a manager doing that? He'd have to be a hair-brained moron with absolutely no clue how to run a team, much less lead a team to success.
Donny .500-ball
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