Report: Mattingly not ready to become Yankee manager

by anaconda on Oct 15, 2007 11:37 PM EDT in News Comment 4 comments

Yankees bench coach Don Mattingly has told a member of the Steinbrenner family he does not feel ready for the manager's job and is uncomfortable with replacing Joe Torre, according to a friend of Mattingly.

The friend, who requested anonymity because the situation is unresolved, said he spoke directly with the former Yankees great in recent days. Mattingly's stance could open the door for the Yankees to bring back Torre for a 13th season because he was the leading candidate for the job.

The development comes as George Steinbrenner and his sons, Hank and Hal, convene an annual top-to-bottom review of the organization Tuesday. A Yankees official, who speaks often with top management, said Torre is a candidate for the job. The official, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak for the owners, said the discussion was expected to center on who is the best man for the job as opposed to a referendum on Torre, whose contract is expiring.

This is obviously major news if the story turns out to be true since Mattingly is the leading candidate to succeed Torre.

This development could be another indication that Torre will return as the Yankee skipper because I get the feeling that the Yankee brass is a bit weary of handing over the reigns to Joe Girardi.

Update [2007-10-16 12:12:29 by anaconda]:

Mattingly’s agent, Ray Schulte, appeared on ESPN Radio 1050 this morning and denies the report and said that it was "completely fabricated."

Hopefully, all of this will be resolved in the next day or two so that we can concentrate on other matters like Alex Rodriguez and the rest of the free agent bunch.

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with the brothers

taking over ,it gives the Yankees a stance to say ,that it is now Hal and Hanks descision to keep or get rid of Torre.
They can keep him on and not loose face with the public.

by beantownbosoxh8er on Oct 16, 2007 7:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Class move. Smart move

Following Joe under these circumstances is like someone following Elvis in the 50s. There is positively no chance of succeeding. Donnie made a smart call. I suspect Girardi would do the same thing if asked. It's a no win.

I've said this before. It would be a PR disaster to let Joe go when there is no suitable replacement. Keep him for 2008, and during Old Timer's Day have Joe proudly announce that it will be his last year-and that beginning in 2009 Don Mattingly will take over--leading the next era of Bombers at the new stadium. It's perfect. It's a lovefest. It's kumbiah's for everyone.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Oct 16, 2007 9:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

It's all about the process.
Replacing Torre would be hard.
Succeeding him after he retires, with Torre supporting the candidate would still be hard, but not as awkward.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Oct 16, 2007 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've heard Mattingly

say that he doesn't wnat to replace Torre soon. He doesn't want to be manager so bad. He can wait. He's in no hurry..He's not even 50 yet...
In my post last week and in my thinking Giratdi never was in the mix...They brought Donnie here for one reason. To replace Torre...
Give him at least another year and smoothly transition Don in...

by John Amato on Oct 16, 2007 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs