Last past week the Los Angeles Dodgers announced they mutually agreed with Don Mattingly to part ways, ending Mattingly’s five-year tenure as the Dodgers’ manager.
In the five years Mattingly was at the helm, the Dodgers won three consecutive National League West division titles; accomplishing the feat for the first time in franchise history.
However, in each of the last two years, Los Angeles failed to win a playoff series. The lone year they advanced beyond the National League Division Series they were eliminated in six games in the NL Championship Series by the St. Louis Cardinals.
This year the Dodgers were defeated by the New York Mets in five games, which left Mattingly on the hot seat once again. There was also the issue of him being a manager inherited, not selected, by the new front office regime.
Despite the differing schools of thought between Mattingly, team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and general manager Farhan Zaidi, Mattingly spoke fondly of their interaction and relationship that developed.
That played a role Mattingly offering a glowing endorsement of the Dodgers, when asked what he would say if a prospective managerial candidate contacted him.
“I would tell them that it’s a great organization. That Andrew, Farhan and Josh [Byrnes, senior vice president of baseball operations] are great guys and they’re going to do great things. I believe that,” Mattingly said.
“The organization is in great hands, it’s in great shape. Myself personally, I’m really proud of the things we’ve been able to accomplish. I still think obviously they’re going to keep going and it’s in great shape right now.”
Friedman stated he would like to hire a new manager before the Winter Meetings begin in December. The early list of potential candidates includes Gabe Kapler, Bud Black, Ron Roenicke, Dave Martinez and Tim Wallach, among others.
Kapler, Roenicke and Wallach were all part of the Dodgers’ organization this season.
