Dodgers News: Kershaw Becomes Latest To Defend Mattingly
Coming off a season in which the Los Angeles Dodgers won a third consecutive division title but failed to reach the World Series, some view manager Don Mattingly as being on the hot seat.
The Dodgers lost 3-2 in Game 5 of the National League Division Series to the New York Mets, marking an end to their season. It was the second straight year they had home field advantage and failed to advance as they were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014.
While in 2014 it was the bullpen that cost them, this year it was the inability to hit with runners in scoring position. While a lot of that falls on the players, Mattingly continues to face scrutiny.
With Mattingly’s future with the team somewhat uncertain at the moment, many Dodgers players including Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal and Kike Hernandez have recently voiced their support for Mattingly. Now, during an interview with SportsNet LA, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw also showed support for his manager:
I’m in Donnie’s corner, too. I love Donnie, known him for long time, played for him and Joe [Torre], the only two managers I’ve played for. Obviously I have a ton of respect for him. It would be good to have him back as well.”
In five season as the Dodgers manager, Mattingly is 446-363, and has won the NL West the last three years, marking the first time in franchise history that has happened. Despite his regular season success, the Dodgers are only 8-11 in the postseason under Mattingly and have failed to reach the World Series.
The future looks bright for the Dodgers, who have several of young prospects that are almost Major-League ready, led by shortstop Corey Seager who played well after being called up in September, but whether Mattingly will still be around to manage those players remains to be seen.
Did Mattingly stop hitting (for the most part) after April? No, that would be the lineup. Did Mattingly consistently blow 7th and 8th inning leads? No, that would be pretty much every reliever on the roster not name Kenley. Did Mattingly acquire nothing but garbage at the trade deadline, and give up the guy that may be playing third base every day for Atlanta next year? No.
In short, 92 wins was an accomplishment with this mediocre roster. If Kershaw and Greinke (especially, for obvious reasons) want him back, I want him back.
Very true. The mid-season trades were ALL crap.