Joe Torre won't return as Dodgers manager; Don Mattingly to replace him

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/09/la-times-sources-say-don-mattingly-to-replace-joe-torre-as-dodgers-manager/
Sep 17, 2010
Joe Torre won't return as Dodgers manager; Don Mattingly to replace him
Bob Kimball

Joe Torre announced he will not return as Dodgers manager in 2011 and will be replaced by hitting coach Don Mattingly.

Torre made the announcement before Friday night's game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

"Baseball has been my life, and hopefully will continue to be my life in some capacity," Torre said during a news conference. "When I came out here, it was just to find out if managing can be fun again, and it's been fun. ... But you have to make some decisions by instinct, and my instinct tells me it's time to go."

Mattingly, who had a batting instructor with the New York Yankees under Torre, joined L.A. as hitting coach during the 2008 season, Torre's first with the Dodgers.

"It's baseball, and I've been around the game a long time," Mattingly said. "In my heart, I know I can do this. It's a belief in myself that I can do anything I put my mind to."

Torre came over to the Dodgers from the New York Yankees where he won four World Series and six American League pennants in 12 seasons.

Torre, 70, is in his 29th season as a big-league skipper. The former All-Star infielder and catcher made earlier dugout stops with the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. He has a career 2,318-1,990 regular-season record.

The L.A. Times reported that it's still possible Torre will stay with the Dodgers organization, according to one source who required anonymity because the team had not yet announced the move.

Mattingly is a nine-time Gold Glove first baseman and six-time All-Star who won the American League batting title in 1984 and was MVP in '85. He played his entire career with the Yankees before retiring after the 1995 season and is one of the most popular players in their storied history.