Simple do you want Donnie to stay or go for next year? For me Donnie is a likeable guy. Composed and all round nice guy. This team he managed was the most successful Dodger team since 1988. The guy deserves credit for keeping the team together, staying relatively calm in the media, and having his players genuinely like him. AND, this is only his second year in charge. My personal standpoint, however, is that we should try to upgrade at EVERY position. We should never stop trying to get better. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking we can actually upgrade the brains trust. We've seen some pretty out-there shit this year. Not going to give examples, yet. But I think we can all agree there are better on field guys out there. Here lies the problem. Something intangible such as clubhouse control and presence, likeability, respect. Up against some fairly basic baseball knowledge or lack thereof. I like the guy better than Grady and Torre combined, but he makes it a little too easy to dislike his moves. To sum up, simple. Do you want him back or don't you?
Yes. I think mostly the answer is yes not because I believe their is tremendous upside to keeping him, but because I fear that the alternatives have a chance of setting us back. His in-game moves suck, but the fact of the matter is that the team was in the dumps and everything was pointing towards the season being an epic failure and he brought it around and we were 2 wins away (and a bit better health luck) away from a World Series.
I give Mattingly a contract extension. At this point right now, he can't hurt the team. My fear is that they fire him, bring in some mediocre manager, and something negative happens with the team. Obviously, if someone like Joe Maddon or another upgrade becomes available (probably not) then they should look into it. The players love Mattingly though, and I don't think we should mix the clubhouse up by bringing someone new in. We got 2 wins away from the World Series with a broken Hanley/Ethier and completely without Kemp.
I like him and I agree we could debate some of his decisions but all managers make bad decisions.Matheny wasn't perfect in the NLCS, Fredi wasn't either. I think Donnie's man management is something we don't see on the field. Lots of money and lots of egos, the team was riddled with injuries all year. He was nearly fired and his team responded to his criticism, people forget that Mattingly called out his team and they responded by going 42-8. He has put together a great staff, other good coaches WANT to work for him, I think that speaks volumes to how well he is regarded. I think he will be a very successful manager in this league, whether here or someplace else. If we do replace him he won't be unemployed very long, and the options are thin.
What would be great was if they could bring in a real numbers guy to replace Hillman. I mean, someone who will say "hmm, maybe have a guy with a higher OBP hitting second" or "perhaps Reed Johnson is a better option than a lefty/lefty matchup against Heyward." Or course that isn't ideal because a manager should be in full control, but it would be nice to have him and his double switches on a leash somewhat.
thumbs down. look to upgrade. this team has enough leadership in the clubhouse to hold tight during a switch...keep Uribe and other glue guys like Ellis around...AGon is a good leader, as is Kersh. Kemp goes to battle for his guys, as we saw with Carlos Quentin/Greinke stuff. Hanley is turning the corner as a leader as well. they can withstand a change, so long as the manager's a likeable guy who's comfortable in his own skin. it's not a young roster. find a better in-game manager with some experience. ( maybe give old man Leyland a call)
I didn't mind him so much until I read that his option vested when we won the NLDS, which means he tempted fate and wore Kershaw out for his own selfish reasons.... To that I say, GFY, DBB!!!! :angry:
the way Donnie was talking at the press conference, he sounded like he needs an extension or he's out... And he has every right to demand that considering the leverage he has. I just truly, truly fear him going elsewhere and us getting some shitass manager who is just as bad in game wise and the players don't like him as much as Mattingly and first moments of any controversy all hell breaks loose.
Yes because if we don't I think we'll end up with Dusty and he's worse. So yes, and get him an assistant coach who's a tactician and can help with game managing. He needs to play some games of stratomatic lol
I don't get your point. We already won the NLDS. Are you refering to the short rest start in the NLDS? First of all, that wasn't his decision alone. Second, He doesn't want the vesting option, he wants an extension.
OMG, did you guys see the press conference? Ned and Don act like they are totally hating each other. I get the impression he's gone.
What don't you understand?? If the entire world thought you should lose your job and yet, miraculously you had a piece of paper that said "If you win the NLDS you get 1.4 MM" and were completely unsure of your job status going forward are you telling me you wouldn't run out the best in baseball to help your cause? PUHLEEEEEESE!!!!
Well it worked and we moved onto the next round, so I don't get why that's something to be pissed about. Plus, like Grizz said, it was an organization decision.
Because it was selfish on his part and Kersh was GASSED in game 6. Not only that, remember what Pedro said about the probability of him having arm trouble next year?
