Evansville's Don Mattingly Looking to Become Skipper

As the Los Angeles Dodgers fight to avoid being eliminated in the NLCS by the Phillies, LA hitting Coach Don Mattingly is being courted by two big league teams for their managing vacancies.

The Evansville native has been content working behind 4-time World Champion manager Joe Torre.  However, that may change in 2010.

Mattingly is in the second round of interviews for the Cleveland Indians job.  According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper, Mattingly is among the final four canidates for the job.  Mattingly's first interview was by phone.

On Wednesday, The Washington Nationals formally asked the Dodgers to speak to Mattingly about their managing job.  The Nationals do not intend to make any kind of hire until after the World Series.

The Indians timetable is much quicker.  Mattingly says that Cleveland is looking to make a hire soon.  Mattingly told the Los Angeles times, "I've wanted to manage for a long time," Mattingly said. "I've been moving in that direction."

Ironically, if Mattingly gets the job in Cleveland, he would unite with another Tri-Stater: Newburgh's Jamey Carroll.

It seemed likely that Mattingly would take over for the Dodgers after Torre retires after 2010.  However, with the Dodgers owners Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie filing for divorce, the future of the franchise is in doubt.

Don Mattingly is a true Evansville hero.  Despite his baseball success, he still lives in Evansville, and helps raise a lot of money for Tri-State Athletic teams during the Annual Night of Memories.  This year's Night is on Saturday, February 6th.  I have the honor of emceeing the Round Table with all fo the special guests.  Besides Mattingly, Bob Gibson, Al Hrabosky, Andy Benes, and Jamey Carroll will be there.

 

Preston and Don Mattingly