After giving his future considerable thought over the past several weeks, Dodgers manager Joe Torre has decided that he will step down, to be replaced by Don Mattingly at the end of the season. Reports the LA Times:
Joe Torre Steps Down As Dodgers Manager, Don Mattingly To Take Over Next Season
Don Mattingly will replace Joe Torre as manager of the Dodgers at the end of the season, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.
An official announcement will be made Friday before the Dodgers' game against the Colorado Rockies.
Mattingly has been the Dodgers hitting coach since the middle of the 2008 season, which was Torre's first with the team. Before that, they were together with the New York Yankees.
It's been a trying year for Torre, in the final season of a three-year, $13 million contract. The Dodgers have languished outside of the race in the NL West, dealing with inconsistent performances from players like Matt Kemp and inconsistent health from the now-departed Manny Ramirez. Given the team's struggles on the field and ugly mess within the ownership ranks, Torre has evidently determined that this is a situation he no longer wants to deal with.
Replacing Torre will be hitting coach Don Mattingly. There had been some speculation that AAA manager Tim Wallach would take over instead, as Mattingly has no managerial experience, but that will not be the case.
Over three years in Los Angeles, Torre has put together a 251-220 record, with a pair of first-place finishes. The 70 year old will now move on and look for other opportunities, although the possibility exists that he will remain somewhere within the Dodger organization.
For more on this story, be sure to hit up True Blue LA and SB Nation Los Angeles.
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