Editorials

Don Mattingly ‘Assuming’ He Will Remain Dodgers Manager

[new_royalslider id=”35″] With the conclusion of the Los Angeles Dodgers season on Tuesday, the rumors and speculation for 2015 have begun.

First, rumors circulated that general manager Ned Colletti and Don Mattingly could be on the hot seat following the early exit in the playoffs. Mattingly faced similar questions after the 2013 season. Colletti has been with the Dodgers since 2005 and has been at the helm of five playoff appearances.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Mattingly didn’t give a reassuring answer regarding his status as manager:

While Mattingly has two years left on his deal, managers are often let go before their contract expires. The fourth-year manager has taken some of the blame for the Dodgers loss because of his handling of the bullpen and the sudden benching of Yasiel Puig in Game 4 of the NLDS.

During the year, the 53-year-old was praised for his handling of the clubhouse and the logjam in the outfield. Mattingly was counted on to manage the egos in the crowded outfield situation and was praised for his work in getting Andre Ethier to accept his diminished role. He is often regarded as a players manage and is often criticized for his in-game management.

Mattingly also couldn’t say whether his entire coaching staff will return via J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News:

Bundy is one of many being interviewed for the Diamondbacks job after the firing of Kirk Gibson. Also, Tim Wallach interviewed for a few jobs last winter and could be called on again if teams are in need of a manager.

The Dodgers will have a lot of questions in the coming days and will have a few decisions to make.

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

8 Comments

  1. God I hope he is not back next year. I am not watching if he is anymore. I can’t sit back and watch great talent lose again due to irresponsible managing!

    1. Me too. I can’t stand to look at the guy. He manages a playoff game like it was spring training. Like, “let’s see, what inexperienced pitcher do I have that needs some work?”

  2. if dodgers tread puig continuig error end error .magic johnson plees dont tread puig for enybudy dodgers fans in L.A DO SANTYNG

  3. Mattingly didn’t do a good job of preparing the players mentally like not getting too high or too low on themselves and controlling Puig’s emotions, and make necessary adjustments instead of benching him. That was just the lazy way of handling it.

    1. He should have showed the bullpen the whole entire year he had more confidence in them. Used them more even when Kershaw was doing good. I really don’t understand why he never had anyone in the bullpen warming up in game 1 and 4. Kershaw is a great pitcher worth every penny. However we need someone that builds confidence in these players and knows how to read them better.

  4. What’s that old gradeschool saying? “never ‘assume’ because it makes you look like you have a big stupid ass for a face”?

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