In the days after the Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated from the postseason, members of the front office met with then-manager Don Mattingly to discuss moving forward.
Only a few days into their talks, both parties said they began to sense a separation may be what’s best. After mulling that over, the Dodgers announced Mattingly would not return as manager in 2016, in what was described as a mutual decision.
In moving on from the Dodgers, a team he managed for five seasons, Mattingly spoke of fond memories and relationships developed, and said he would give a prospective manager a positive forecast on the direction of the franchise if asked.
Mattingly also added he remains interested in managing; and doing so in the near future. As was widely speculated and expected, the 54 year old interviewed with the Miami Marlins, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com:
Source: Don Mattingly is interviewing with #Marlins today
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) October 26, 2015
The Marlins’ interest in Mattingly was first reported in early September, when the skipper was in the process of ushering the Dodgers to a third consecutive division title — a first in franchise history.
Miami fired manager Mike Redmond in May after a disappointing 16-22 start. General manager Dan Jennings was moved down from the front office to the dugout, though not much improved. The Marlins finished the season 71-91; their sixth straight losing season.
After it was announced Jennings would not return as manager next season, the Marlins began their managerial search, which included interviews with Larry Bowa and Phil Nevin. However, all the while Mattingly has been identified as the apple of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria’s eye.
Mattingly, who had one year remaining on his contract with the Dodgers, finished 446-363 and 8-11 in the postseason over five seasons in Los Angeles.
