The recently unemployed Don Mattingly is already garnering interest, from the desperate Miami Marlins.
By Chip Murphy
Don Mattingly and the Los Angeles Dodgers mutually agreed to part ways today after eight seasons with the ball club, five as the manager.
After another playoff failure, the managerial change was not much of a surprise. Just a couple hours later, a bombshell was dropped by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
marlins have serious interest in mattingly. their search appeared to be on semi-hold, waiting for this.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 22, 2015
Mattingly has been a subject of criticism since before he even officialy took over as Dodgers manager. We all remember this right?
Mattingly’s in-game moves have been beaten to death by media and fans alike. He’s been second-guessed about everything from the way he manages his starters to the amount of times he uses the double switch. Some of it is rightfully so. He was never outstanding. One thing was clear, Mattingly did not belong in that high pressure environment. He didn’t click in the big market managing the team with the $300 million payroll.
Enter the Miami Marlins.
Before Don Mattingly was a manager he was an incredible first baseman. So incredible that the constantly struggling Marlins franchise could star a marketing campaign about their new manager, the former New York Yankee. Florida is filled with Yankee fans. They will fill the ballpark to see “Donnie Baseball”. Mattingly’s number is retired and he was team captain.
The guy is a legend. People will want to meet him. They will want his autograph. He is what Miami needs.
His managing style is aggressive (which is what got him criticized in LA) and he always says what is on his mind. Mattingly always had his players backs. The Marlins are a predominantly young team. Young teams react well to the words of a legend. Mattingly will be able to motivate them. He won’t have to deal with the egos that he had to deal with in LA. In Miami it will be a litter of athletes who are thriving for a glimpse of success.
Mattingly and the Marlins are a perfect fit. Let’s hope Miami doesn’t screw it up.
[su_button url=”https://elitesportsny.com/2015/10/22/forget-miracle-2015-new-york-mets-proving-to-be-more-than-amazin/” target=”blank” background=”#000080″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” center=”yes” radius=”0″]NEXT: Mets Are Proving To Be Amazing[/su_button]
