With a huge payroll comes heavy expectations. The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly rid themselves of manager Don Mattingly, according to CBSSports.com, which described it as a mutual parting.
Dodgers higher-ups like Mattingly very much, but it was apparent there wasn’t support for the long-term. Word is Mattingly felt he was treated very well by baseball president Andrew Friedman and others, but the sides ultimately decided it was better to move on.
An announcement is expected later Thursday.
Mattingly won three straight division titles with the Dodgers, becoming the first Dodgers manager ever to do that and also make the playoffs in three straight. But Mattingly bore the heavy burden of outsized expectations.
The Marlins are known to have interest, and there are three other jobs open, as well. Mattingly wants to keep managing.
Mattingly posted five consecutive winning seasons on the Dodgers bench and claimed the past three division titles, but early playoff exits would not get it done on a team with a payroll in excess of of $300 million.
By Glenn Erby
