Don Mattingly has paid for his failure to win the Dodgers a pennant – and he’s out as LA manager after five years.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers and Don Mattingly have mutually agreed that Mattingly will not return to manage the club in 2016,” the team said in a statement Thursday morning.
The decision was reached after “several days” of talks between Mattingly, team president Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi.
“As our end of season process began, we discussed the past year, our future goals, necessary changes, roster needs and other matters relating to next year’s campaign,” Friedman said in the statement. “As the dialogue progressed daily, it evolved to a point where we all agreed that it might be best for both sides to start fresh. We decided to think about it for a couple of days and when we spoke again, we felt comfortable that this was the direction to go.
“I have the utmost respect for Donnie and thoroughly enjoyed working with him this past season. I want to thank him for his hard work and collaboration, as well as his accomplishments, including three consecutive National League West titles. I wish him nothing but success in the future.”
According to CBS, Dodgers top brass liked Mattingly, but it was apparent there wasn’t support for him in the long-term. Mattingly felt he was treated very well by baseball president Andrew Friedman and others, but the sides ultimately decided it was better to move on.
Mattingly won three straight division titles, becoming the first Dodgers manager ever to do that and also make the playoffs in three successive years. But Mattingly bore the heavy burden of outsized expectations, and this year’s early playoff exit seemed to be the last straw for Dodgers high-ups, with the team carrying a record payroll of $300m plus.
The Dodgers were beaten 3-2 by the Mets in this year’s National League Divisional Series.
Mattingly said: “I’m honored and proud to have had the opportunity to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers. I’ve enjoyed my experiences and relationships with the organization’s staff and players throughout my eight years in LA.
“After meeting with Andrew, Farhan and Josh, we all felt that a fresh start would be good for both the organization and me. We talked about several scenarios, including my returning in 2016. However, I believe this is the right time and right move for both parties. I’m still very passionate about managing and hope to get the opportunity in the near future. In the meantime, I want to thank the Dodger organization, the city and our fans for the opportunity and wish the club well going forward.”
Dodgers ownership, led by Mark Walter, have been said to be supporters of Mattingly for years. But folks have wondered what the call would be since Friedman didn’t hire the former Yankees first baseman.
Mattingly has been the Dodgers manager for five years since taking over from Joe Torre. He has a 446-363 (.551) record as manager. The Marlins are said to be interested in hiring Mattingly, who wants to keep managing.
