Mattingly proves strong manager candidate
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NLCS photos: Dodgers vs. Phillies
PHILADELPHIA - The end of the Dodgers' season, whenever that may be, is only the beginning for Don Mattingly, who is a candidate for at least two managing vacancies. Mattingly already has interviewed by phone for the Indians' job and the Nationals have requested permission to speak with him when the Dodgers are finished.
But Mattingly, in his current position as L.A.'s hitting coach, still had more pressing matters at hand before last night's Game 5 of the NLCS at Citizens Bank Park. With the Dodgers down 3-1 and facing elimination, Mattingly was a little uncomfortable talking about his own career aspirations, which was probably another reason why he will make a good manager someday.
"It's been out there," Mattingly said of his potential interview schedule, "but at this point, we need to take care of our business. We need to get the Phillies on a plane and worry about this. After that, there's time for the other stuff."
Mattingly, the former Yankees captain, is an attractive hire for any club. He not only has name recognition, but at 47, he's relatively young and has learned about the job firsthand on the staff of Joe Torre, a virtual lock for the Hall of Fame after winning four World Series titles in the Bronx.
Mattingly was projected to be the replacement for Torre after he severed his ties with the Yankees at the end of the tumultuous 2007 season. But when Joe Girardi got the job instead, Mattingly chose to join Torre on the West Coast as his hitting coach.
As Mattingly considers these opportunities with other clubs, he could find himself in a similar situation with the Dodgers. Torre's three-year, $13-million contract is up after the 2010 season and Mattingly figures to be the heir apparent.
The problem with that - from Mattingly's perspective - is the assumption that Torre will actually call it quits. Torre has guided the Dodgers to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, and barring some meltdown next year, the inclination for the front office would be to entice Torre to stay on board.
Also, it seems that any rumblings of franchise instability over the pending divorce of owner Frank McCourt were settled to some degree on Tuesday when general manager Ned Colletti was signed to a multiyear extension. With that being the case, Mattingly might want to wait for a chance in L.A., depending of course on what advice he gets from Torre.
At the moment, Mattingly is among four serious contenders vying to be the next Indians manager in a group that includes Bobby Valentine, Manny Acta and Torey Lovullo. The Nationals' search appears to be wide open, but that figures to be a less attractive option with Washington coming off a 103-loss season and showing little direction other than the signing of top pick Stephen Strasburg.
