Don Mattingly's disgrace

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

With mutual kisses and hugs all around, the Dodgers are parting with Don Mattingly (to be announced later today).

That's a start. But I am still wondering how much "free reign" the new manager of the Dodgers will have with the GM team in charge.

Maybe they should just stick a uni on Andrew Friedman and place him in the dugout. He seems to be the one calling the shots.

Lot's of question marks for us Dodger fans, but definitely a good day. At least we've eliminated the obvious problems. Good luck to Don in whatever future endeavor he takes on.

Here's to hoping it doesn't take the Dodgers another three years to recognize needed changes that may actually lead them to the World Series. We were one mental snafu away from playing the Cubs, and they were steamrolled by the team the Dodgers laid the red carpet out for. Another disgusting off season for us to contemplate what could have been.

Good luck Mets.

[beachpetrol]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

[Swoboda4]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

The curse of the Don.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

I see news items saying that the Dodgers are considering Gabe Kapler for the job. Any Dodger fans have feelings about that, good or bad?

Dave Miedema

[KGoldin]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

He was really able to whip those sweathogs into shape, and look at what a star Travolta turned out to be
think Gabe Kapler would be an amazing choice

[metsbats]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

He was really able to whip those sweathogs into shape, and look at what a star Travolta turned out to be
think Gabe Kapler would be an amazing choice

I agree!

[slab0meat]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

LOLz

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

It looks like Donnie Baseball just got hired by the Marlins. Any thoughts or comments from our Marlins fans/collectors?

Dave M.

[admin_old]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

I see news items saying that the Dodgers are considering Gabe Kapler for the job. Any Dodger fans have feelings about that, good or bad?

Dave Miedema

Should we just start the thread now?

Gabe Kapler's Disgrace

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

The latest reports indicate that the Dodgers are now considering Darin Erstad.

Dave M.

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

Should we just start the thread now?

Gabe Kapler's Disgrace

Now THAT'S funny!!!

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

The latest reports indicate that the Dodgers are now considering Darin Erstad.

Dave M.

Hi Dave,

Sorry your Cubs didn't get to and WIN the World Series. Maybe we'll have to go back in time and fix that.

Anyway, in regards to the Dodgers, Andrew Friedman came out and stated they would be interviewing a LOT of prospects for the job. So a parade of prospects could have been predicted. I wouldn't read anything into any one interview at this point. This may go on for awhile.

There's another aspect that I would like to hit on. And...(drumroll please)....it may actually blow your minds that it supports Don Mattingly, albeit ever so slightly. The Dodgers have "bought in" to this this new theory of placing a LOT of importance on Sabermetrics when putting together a roster. I always thought it was a way to find the "undervalued" players who, while not being superstars, still put up pretty darn good numbers under the radar.

Now it seems to be a way of life for the Dodgers. So it raises the question...How much control of the reigns did Donnie really have over the Dodgers? I addressed this on my instagram account as to why I think the Dodgers have additional problems ahead.

I don't want to get into all over again here, but I am convinced Donnie was to some degree a puppet for Andrew Friedman and Farhad Zaidi who were the ones calling the shots on the daily line-up changes. They also no doubt made the call on the "shift" in the NLDS that was responsible...due to the fact Donnie didn't have the Dodgers prepared on how to handle it once the play was over...for ultimately ending the Dodger season.

That right there is reason to worry that whoever the Dodgers ultimately hire as manager, no matter how good of one they end up with, that alone may not fix all the problems. And I'm not talking about personnel problems....yes, they need a new starter, they need to resign Greinke, they need bullpen help...I'm talking about the fact they will need to find a guy willing to be "puppet #2".

I wouldn't take that job. If i'm managing the team, I want control. I don't want some number-crunching geek who has worked out all possible outcomes of lefties vs. righties on a 2-2 count in the bottom of the 6th with RISP and one out. Nope, I want to put a consistent group of guys out there who have been hand picked because of something those numbers can't measure. Heart. Desire to win. Competitive spirit. If a number cruncher is going to trump me in my job, and tell me what to do, they can SHOVE that job in no uncertain terms.

Donnie was just that kind of softy. He made a wonderful puppet. He just couldn't manage worth a darn. So maybe the guy showed he still has a little self-respect by leaving. I know I respect him more for it. He wasn't the right fit (which is a nice way of saying...he sucked). Right now he sports a fairly decent winning record as an MLB manager. Enter the 4-year contract with Miami.

You can kiss that goodbye now, Donnie. You've got one great pitcher over there, a speedster who developed a bat you can reunite with, and one hell of a monster home run masher.

And that's it. Time to live in mediocrity. But good luck to you anyway.

But back to the Dodgers. If these two numbers guys are the wave of the future for the Dodgers, then I don't expect the results to improve anytime soon. And that's unfortunate. Hope I'm wrong. Maybe...ownership will spend the money they need to to win.

[xpress34]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

He was really able to whip those sweathogs into shape, and look at what a star Travolta turned out to be
think Gabe Kapler would be an amazing choice

Ken -

only problem is that was Gabe Kaplan, not Kapler.

- Smitty

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

Ken -

only problem is that was Gabe Kaplan, not Kapler.

- Smitty

Hey Smitty,

I have a sneaking suspicion that Ken was aware of that fact.

On a related note, your post reminded me of the character in the series '30 Rock' that wasn't able to recognize sarcasm. If I remember correctly, they said it was because he was from Canada. Did anyone see those episodes? They were pretty funny

-Chris

[cjw]

Re: Don Mattingly's disgrace

Hey Smitty,

I have a sneaking suspicion that Ken was aware of that fact.

On a related note, your post reminded me of the character in the series '30 Rock' that wasn't able to recognize sarcasm. If I remember correctly, they said it was because he was from Canada. Did anyone see those episodes? They were pretty funny

-Chris

Chris, I am a Canadian...and I don't compute ?????