The Los Angeles Dodgers and Don Mattingly moved quickly following the club’s first-round ousting, with the sides agreeing now was the best time to go separate ways.
From there, Mattingly went on to interview with the Miami Marlins and on Wednesday, it was reported the two sides were in serious discussions for the 54 year old to become the Marlins’ next manager.
With the wheels already in motion, Molly Knight reported Thursday morning on Vice Sports the Marlins have hired Mattingly on a four-year contract:
The Miami Marlins have hired Don Mattingly to be their next manager, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who is not yet authorized to speak publicly. Mattingly’s deal is for four years, according to the source.
Mattingly becomes the Marlins’ eighth manager since 2010. He replaces Marlins general manager Dan Jennings, who moved down from the front office after Mike Redmond got off to a 16-22 start and was fired in May.
Riddled by injury, the managerial change did little to spark the Marlins as they finished the year 71-91. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has long been said to admire Mattingly, which seemingly made the hire more of a formality than surprise.
Loria’s interest in the former Dodgers’ skipper was reported in early September, when Mattingly’s fate in Los Angeles hadn’t yet been decided — at least not publicly.
Mattingly spent the last five seasons managing the Dodgers, posting a 446-363 (.551) record. He guided the club to three consecutive National League West division titles — a first in franchise history — though only advance beyond the Division Series once during his tenure.
Nicknamed “Donnie Baseball” and “The Hit Man,” Mattingly spent his entire 14-year career playing with the New York Yankees, retiring as a player in 1995.
