Monday, June 11, 2012

High Praise For Mattingly, Too

Same day, same team: ESPN's Tim Kurkjian also looked at the Dodgers on June 7, profiling Don Mattingly's leadership skill:

"He is unbelievable," Dodgers outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. said. "He is such a great communicator, and communication is the most important part to managing. Even though he was a great player, he is one of two managers I've had that haven't forgotten how hard the game is to play. When you are going through a slump, he knows what you're going through. He is always on your side, but he is firm. He's not a yeller, but he'll let you know what is on his mind, but he will do it in a way that makes sure he doesn't disrespect you."

Dodgers utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. is with his ninth team. He has played for all kinds of managers, and says of Mattingly, "He is so impressive. He was a great player, he played in a big market in New York, so he can relate [to] the stars of this team, Matt Kemp and Andre [Ethier] and Clayton [Kershaw]. But he can also relate to the 25th man on the team. He understands all the ups and downs that all players go through. I was blown away by that."

Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon began the season as the leadoff hitter, but struggled so badly, Mattingly sat him down for a few games, then dropped him to eighth in the batting order.

"He talked to me about it before he did it, I trust him with everything he does, I listen to every word he says," Gordon said. "I know he was doing it with the team first in his mind."

Kurkjian does a good job linking the Mattingly stories of the past with his managerial philosophies of the present. Well worth the read.

9 comments:

Orel said...

Cubs get Soler.

Franklin Stubbs said...

They need all the help they can get.

Hideo Nomo said...

I prefer wind turbines anyway.

Franklin Stubbs said...

The Tornado prefers wind power? I'll alert the media.

Franklin Stubbs said...

The only way to get your hands on any decent wind power these days is through the draft.

Franklin Stubbs said...

Still, it's probably a safer bet than geothermal, considering the Sean Burroughs debacle.

Dusty Baker said...

I thought that said "sober" not "Soler" at first, and thought that sobriety might be as good a starting point as any for the hapless Cubbies.

Orel said...

Stubbsy brought his "A" game today.

Franklin Stubbs said...

@Orel

Nope. There's no nuclear, as far as I can tell.