On Monday, the Miami Marlins hired Don Mattingly to become their manager. The Marlins were looking for a new manager after they fired Dan Jennings on October 29th. Mattingly was available after leaving L.A. on October 22nd with one year remaining on his contract. What kind of move is this?
Don Mattingly spent the last five seasons with the L.A. Dodgers. The Dodgers had an impressive 446-363 record, making the playoffs the last three years and winning the National League West Division in those seasons.
The success in the regular season never translated into the postseason. The Dodgers went all the way to the National League Championship Series in 2013 but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 2. The last two years, they were beaten in the National League Division Series including this year when they lost to the New York Mets 3 games to 2.
The Marlins needed someone who had not only managerial experience but also playoff experience. They haven’t been to the playoffs since 2003 when they won the World Series.
According to ESPN Marlins owner and CEO Jeffrey Loria said “I’m thrilled to welcome Don Mattingly to the Marlins family. … Don’s brand of strong and focused leadership is exactly what this team of talented players needs to help us compete at the highest level.”
MLB.com stated that Don Mattingly said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to come to Miami. The consensus around baseball is this is a talented club. It’s a young, talented club. It’s a good core that has a chance to grow and develop. For me, that was the single biggest thing, and the reason I was so intrigued with coming to Miami, was the chance to develop. The chance to teach. The chance to help mold a young club, and build toward winning the division and winning a championship.”
The decision for Mattingly is perplexing. He could have stayed in L.A. to guide them to a World Series. The Dodgers are a veteran team and could win the National League West every year. The Marlins are a young core who are rebuilding. It might be a few years for Mattingly to manage this team to the playoffs. The Marlins will need to be patient for him to do so. Hiring Mattingly was the right move for the franchise.
What do you think of the move for the Miami Marlins hiring Don Mattingly?
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