Mattingly succeeding Torre?
Not necessarily.
Don Mattingly may someday manage the Dodgers, but it will more likely be later than sooner, if at all.
Mattingly, who has permission to negotiate with the Nationals and Indians for their managerial openings, has been thought to be Torre's successor-in-waiting when Joe retires following the 2010 season. But retirement is a moving target, apparently.
One Dodgers' source told me today that, to hear Frank McCourt talk about it, Joe's not going anywhere for a few years.
"Sure, he's 69 now (70 next July), but it's a young 69, and Frank thinks Joe's still so focused on the game that when push comes to shove, he won't want to leave, " I was told, "and Frank's just fine with that."
Of course, the pending divorce proceedings involving Frank and his estranged wife Jamie may impact those decicisions as well.
The thought that Torre might be in the Dodgers' dugout well into his 70's may be comforting to some and disturbing to others, but it's not like he's in declining health.
It could be that Mattingly, at 47 (48 next April), may already realize that it's now or never insofar as grabbing a big league job is concerned, and the location of that job may be less significant that it would be otherwise.
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Categories (click for archive)Phil Wood |
One of Mattingly's options just went south as the Indians have signed Acta to a three-year managerial contract. Evidently the Astros had made an offer to Acta as well. Congrats to Manny on his new position!