Mattingly to make managerial debut in Arizona Fall League
Don Mattingly, the presumed heir to Joe Torre as the Dodgers' manager, will manage the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.
Mattingly never has managed in the major or minor leagues. If Torre does not return and the Dodgers replace him with Mattingly, the five-week Arizona Fall League stint would represent Mattingly's only managerial experience.
The AFL starts play on Oct. 12, so Mattingly's arrival could be delayed by a Dodgers' playoff run.
The Times' Bill Plaschke discussed Mattingly's managerial aspirations and qualifications in this column.
-- Bill Shaikin
I agree the more experience Mattingly gets BEFORE he takes over as a major league manager, the better for him and all concerned.
Posted by: OldBrooklynFan | 07/27/2010 at 03:25 PM
How can Mattingly be anointed to take over the job when the club is supposed to interview and consider minorities for the position? For that matter, how did Joe get the job? I don't recall anyone else being interviewed. So when you're allowed to purchase a team with no money you're also allowed to circumvent the rules?
Posted by: labeldude | 07/27/2010 at 03:31 PM
Like "Fortunate Son" Joe Buck and Kenny Albert, Mattingly has a foot in the door because of Joe Torre. Joe constantly starts a player with more experience over one who hasn't earned it. Is Joe telling us that Bob Schaefer, his bench coach, is not good enough to be the manager? Maybe Joe is giving a backhand swipe at Schaefer for all the mistakes Joe makes.
Posted by: Stan | 07/27/2010 at 04:37 PM
well, at least it's clear at this time which team will finish in last place!!!!
Posted by: NOdonniebeezeball | 07/28/2010 at 05:50 AM