Mattingly: I’m ready to manage
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Oct 23, 2007 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Don Mattingly was not as polished as Joe Girardi was yesterday. But I personally thought he was very earnest about what he wants to accomplish.
Certainly none of the candidates know the team as well as he does given that he’s been on the staff the last four seasons. Plus he once made this cool poster.
Here’s the audio of his call with reporters:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Wow, that poster is awesome.
And here I wanted a scarface poster.
Mattingly has the exact same attitude as torre – it would be like replacing Torre with himself. And worst of all, If mattingly fails, they couldnt fire the guy- he would be more difficult to fire than torre himself. Mattingly also has really no ability to communicate with the media. I dont understand what they think Mattingly will bring to the table other than a headache and the fact that he was promised to be next in line. Just give him in a job in triple A and leave the managing to the managers not the ex players and fam favorites. This is a bad, bad idea. They should hire girardi and be done with it – that guy has everything they are looking for in the next manager. Primarily, that he is easily disposable.
My favorite part of these press conferences is the way everyone sounds sort of distant and slightly muffled, and then Pete comes on and it’s like, “run and turn down the volume!”
I had that poster!
I think he should manage in that suit.
I have that same poster hanging in my office
i have that poster. just without the converse stuff on the bottom. or the autograph. won at a stand in seaside heights.
Skippy:
Yeah, sorry ’bout that. I’m recording the call with a digital tape recorder next to a speaker phone, so when I ask the question I’m next to the mic.
that suit could use some tailoring. he kinda looks like tarantino in that picture.
I agree with what Dave said 100%. The only problem is I don’t think Donnie would take a managerial position in the minor leagues. Yankee Front Office do the right thing and hire Girardi.
dave echoed michael kay word for word.
i hope he’s more intelligent than he comes across in an interview
Pete, I have that poster in my room at college, what a picture.
Dude, I LOVED the motorcycle in the background!
Anyway, Mattingly sounded very unpolished, but very honest. I’m still a Joe G girl, but Mattingly did not do anything to make me like him any less.
Mattingly will be the new Yankee skipper, whether the fans like it or not.
Most of us didn’t like The Boss hiring Torre back in ’95 either.
Girardi should be the next manager. Mattingly just did not come across as knowledgable or experienced as Girardi did… I got the feeling that Girardi knows exactly how he will manage whereas I got no such feeling from Donnie.
He might be ready to manage but is he prepared to manage. If we don’t see any NY media articles saying that Hank & Hal were impressed with him as they were impressed with Girardi.
He sounded forceful and very confident. I doubt Big Stein can resist that from his favorite Yankee. Though I’d probably prefer Girardi, I think Donnie would do a great job. He needs to learn it’s “have come” not “have came.”
I want Joe to be the Yankee manager. Girardi,that is!!!!!
“Mattingly will be the new Yankee skipper, whether the fans like it or not.”
Hey – this is Giuseppe Franco telling us this so it must be true!
Oh that poster brings back memories.
Our first trip (so far) to Yankee Stadium over Labor Day Weekend (back in 1987) my brother had his #23 Mattingly shirt and stood in front of a cardboard cut out of the “Hitman” Don Mattingly. I think my brother had the wrist bands too!
I plan to get to the Stadium again next year to say farewell and so my husband can see New York. I’m an Upstate New Yorker, but currently live in California (can’t wait to go back some day).
Great question, Peter. To me, there is something a manager can do in the postseason. Yankees hitters were obviously tense, so in that case you need to make things happen, not waiting for a three-run homerun. Being a catcher and also being a manger in the National League, I just feel Joe G will do this…
I understand some luck is involved, but you can force luck to go your way sometimes. It’s not like we have nine Giambi’s in the lineup, anyway.
Peter
Do you see either candidate ending up as a coach under the other? I would think that would make it very difficult for the new manager. In truth, I can only really see that being a possibility if Girardi were manager and the Steinbrenners insisting on keeping Mattingly as a coach.
I can’t take Dave seriously. One sentence he says leave the managing to the managers and not ex-players and in the next he says hire Girardi.
I think the Yankees are going to have a difficult choice.
Donnie (my husband’s name, and his favority player!) first came across as nervous, but when he was asked about being like Joe Torre, I loved his answer. It was a strong answer and it let you know that while he learned a lot of from Joe, Joe was not his only influence. You know, we forget, he did play under one of the best tactical managers in Billy Martin. And while it is not politic to say he would do some things differently than Joe, I believe that when he said he was constantly managing “in his mind,” that there probably were some situations he would have dealt with differently.
Not as polished as Girardi, and certainly a different personality, but I really don’t think it would be Torre, The Sequel or Torre Lite.
I am going to be wishy-washy and say either way, it’s going to be fine.
Now, bring on Tony P!
.i.,
Are you serious? I did not listen to Mike Kay today so I guess we just have the same thoughts. Mike is right though. Im glad we are on the same page.
man i absolutely HATED mattingly’s answer to peter’s question. UGH!
Had that poster over my bed in 1986. Still think we’d be making a big mistake giving him the job and he’d be making a bigger one taking it.
As a player Donnie was never particularly effusive with the press (think an even more guarded, less controversial Jeter) and always seemed uncomfortable in front of a camera. And that was before the 3 hour YES postgame, sports radio, and the blogs. As a superstar player: charming. As a manager: disaster.
He should stay above the fray and take a front office advisory role similar to what George Brett has w/ KC. Perhaps he could talk sense to the Boss’ two idiot sons.
After listening to Mattingly’s conference call I am even more certain that Joe G. must be the new manager. Popularity
as a baseball player must not trump what Joe G. brings to the table. Donnie must go to AA or AAA & prove himelf there before even thinking about coming to the big stage.
well it was his podcast for (looks at ipod) either monday’s or friday’s but he said that mattingly would be hard to fire him and if fired would be a fiasco for the yankee brass.
Joe Girardi mishandled all of his young pitchers – and didn’t abide by any pitch counts. He ruined a few arms in that organization.
Girardi couldn’t handle the Florida media and a meddling Florida owner. He’s going to handle New York and George? Give me a break.
Girardi would be a disaster.
There is zero chance Mattingly accepts a job as a minor league manager.
Ain’t happening.
Please tell me exactly how much experience Joe Girardi has over Mattingly?
One season and was fired the day after the season ended?
Sounds much more qualified to me.
Pinstripe Alley has a good piece on Girardi from a Marlins fan’s perspective.
http://www.pinstripealley.com/...../155010/31
The problem with hiring Girardi is what to do with Donnie. It’s not ideal to keep him as bench coach, because he would represent a gun to Joe’s head. Joe should also have someone more experienced, not less, as a sounding board. Plus, Joe should get to pick his own bench coach. It also wouldn’t be so beneficial to Donnie, as Joe is both younger and isn’t really experienced enough to mentor him. So unless Donnie would take a minor league managerial position, it’s a real quandary. He’s not a front office organizational type. He’s not likely to take a “demotion” on the coaching staff. He’s not really YES commentator material. So in order to hire Joe, they’d sort of have to send Donnie back to Indiana. That seems unlikely. The upshot is that unless I am wrong or someone has another idea, the Yanks are going to hire Donnie. Yet any other major league team, excepting the Marlins, would take Joe over Donnie in a NY minute.
Joe Girardi has been a broadcaster, of course he’s going to be more polished on a conference call.
I love the rationale – Don stinks at conference calls, we need Girardi! Brilliant.
Mattingly knows the players, has respect in the clubhouse, and if history is a guide, would consider and weigh the opinions of his coaches.
He is ready, give him a chance.
I couldn’t agree more about Don’s answer to Peter’s question. I was hoping to hear him mention a specific moment in a game where he would do something differently than what Joe did, of course that means throwing Torre under the bus…
Imagine Don saying something like, I would have brought in Mariano in the 8th inning against Cleveland in Game 2 b/c I wanted to have my BEST RP in there in what is essentially a must win spot. Or having Don say that he would’ve started Mussina with Wanger ready to come in at ASAP in Game 4. He should’ve said something decisive.
Joe T is gone and questioning one move would not be THAT controversial. Has Torre reached such a deified status that ZERO of his moves can be publicly questioned? I guess that is what makes Pete’s question so good…
I think the best thing that could happen is hiring Joe G and keeping Don on board as Bench coach.
Now that we have brothers running the Yanks. How about Co-managers. Girardi and Mattingly split the responsibilities. One handles who to field,the other the lineup card. One handles the starters and the other the bullpen. Its a win win situation.
God, you guys are unreal. I thought Donnie came off fine. (He seems to have a good relationship with many of the press guys.) And anyway, even if he wasn’t “polished” or perfect, who cares? Just because Donnie doesn’t butter up the press and make them all “buddies” like Torre did is a good thing.
For all of the geniuses who say Mattingly should go to AAA (or AA – ha), can they point to Joe Girardi’s minor league experience?
These phone conferences mean very little. Donnie, if given the manager’s job, will be fine with the press.
Girardi sounded a lot more comfortable. Pleasae give him the job, Steinbrenners!!!
If I were to base my decision on the 2 “call with reporters” Mattingly & Girardi had – I got to say – Girardi came across much stronger and assured.
If you ever been in a position where you interview someone for a job – you know one of the things you want to hear is a ‘desire’ to want the job.
Girardi had it – Donny – I’m not so sure.
This poster absolutely made my night. If Donnie commits as manager as much as he did to this poster and his cameo on “The Simpsons,” the Yanks will win 10 World Series consecutively.
.i. I havent listened to Michael Kay since the yanks were still in the playoffs. He is right though. Firing Torre for some reason was a disaster for the organization due to the medias ridiculous comments including petes who is always extremely sensible and knowledeable. Not to mention, one, torre was not fired, he turned down a contract offer and two, he didnt deserve to come back for a thirteenth season. If Mattingly, a fan favorite turned into a complete mess they would have to fire him (not get him to turn down a contract offer) and it would probably be mid season. If a smart media man like Pete goes off on the organization for disrespecting torre, the media will crucify the organization for firing a fan favorite in the midst of his first season at the helm in the bronx. And Donnie Baseballs doesnt seem very media savvy or very smart as opposed to Torre who comes across as both. It would just be a very dangerous situation the yanks would be getting themselves into. They could easily cut ties with girardi if need be but i think he will thrive in the bronx. Donnie is going to sweat if he is fired and the complete lack of experience doesnt help. It seems like almost every fan on this blog agree Joe G is the man for the job. And we are probably know more about the yanks together than any other group on the planet. Im glad there is little dissent for once and I hope the yankee brass is thinking along the same lines as us/
s o s 27 Are You Nuts
The fact that Mattingly knows the team and knows the players so well could swing the decision in his favor. He should know what buttons to push with all of these players. He’s been here the last four years. But knowing what to do and being able to do it are two different things. I would still go with Girardi, just because he has a sharp baseball mind, he is a great motivator, and knows exactly how to get the best out of his players.
It’s amazing to watch all of you criticize a man who is very well regarded throughout baseball circles because he doesn’t sound like Hemingway on a conference call.
If anything, Mattingly has MORE experience than Girardi, especially with this organization. As mentioned earlier, Girardi overused his young pitchers – and his players did not defend him when he was fired.
Bill Belichick is the best coach in the NFL, and have you ever heard him deal with the media? Herm Edwards is great on conference calls – whom would you rather higher.
All of you need to think before you judge.
Pete asked a prospective MANAGER a question where the answer would have been what would he do differently as a MANAGER than what Joe T did. It would have been nice to hear him say something/anything about an in-game decision that he would do differently. I was fine with everything else on the call, but Pete’s question was the ONLY question during the call where Don could have demonstrated his style of managing publicly and he did not.
No, David, had Don questioned a move, he would have looked like an opportunist. The right move, and what Donnie did, is to take the high road and say you want to look forward and learn from the past.
Pete’s question was great! I hoped Mattingly might give one specific instance, but you’re right, he’s not in a position to throw Torre under the bus publicly. We’ll never know what he might have said in answer to a similar question behind closed doors, if it was asked. And you could imagine the field day the papers could have if he did give a specific thing he’d have done differently.
If anyone believes that Mattingly was going to point out a mistake Torre made by saying what he would have done differently, you are even less media savy than he is. Get real people.
Mattingly isn’t Gary Sheffield. He wasn’t going to throw Torre under a bus or criticize any of his moves.
“he doesn’t sound like Hemingway on a conference call.”
What does Mariel Hemingway have to do with all this?
Strummerson
I think you captured the Girardi-as-manager dilemma quite well. Its almost a no-win situation for Girardi. The only way I see this working is that Mattingly is offered and then accepts a minor league managerial position (AAA or AA). Even then its not ideal for Girardi. Of course Mattingly could even refuse that offer which could really add another dimension to the end of the Torre era… one that sees Mattingly back in Indiana and disgruntled enough to stay away from the stadium (along with Torre).
I’m pretty sure I had that poster as a kid. Kudos to Peter, you and Joel Sherman asked the best questions of the day. Yours was what would you do differently, which Donnie skated around, Joel asked about if he is up for the criticism that comes with the job being that he is arguably the most popular Yankee of all time.
He have to say, I think he came off better than Girardi in the interview once he got going. As a guy whose favorite number is 23, I look forward to Donnie being the manager. I’m still down on the way the Yankees dumped Joe, but like everyone else, I have to get it past it.
wow sans-mustache means this poster couldn’t have been that long ago. Beautiful.
Man, I wish we had Billy Martin now that guy brought the fire and competiveness that these Yankees need.
The poster is from 1985.
I know I know. Isn’t that what made the question so good? But, Joe T is gone. How can Mattingly be an opportunist if Joe T is gone already? It isn’t like Torre is still in the running to be manager and he would be screwing Joe over by opening up his mental playbook… This is the problem the Yankees had with Torre in a way. Has Torre reached the point where no one connected to him can question any move Joe made/didnt make?
Torre gave me some of the baseball moments of my life as a fan of this team (since about 89/90), but to say I agreed with all of his in-game moves is a joke. Would it be that bad for Mattingly to say I would X differently? He is allowed to have an opinion different than Joe about what to do in a given in-game situation.
The poster was from 1986.
Let Mattingly manage a game or run a Spring Training or coach a drill before you question his managerial fire and intensity.
“The poster is from 1985.”
In ’85 while all the cool kids had this “Hit Man” poster on their bedroom walls I had the Steve Balboni “Hit or Miss Man” poster.
Yes – you can say I was different.
Dealing with an insatiable press is 3/4′s of the job and was Torre’s only real talent. If Donnie can’t handle that end of things, and handle it well, there’ll be more pressure on the players to fill notebooks and sound bites and more opportunities for Curly Levine and Smokey Steinbrenner to make asses of themselves.
Girardi’s got the polish and his year in the booth has helped. I think getting sh*tcanned in Florida taught him some humility. I also think he’s smart enough to know his place here, while he probably thought he was a big fish down there and could run roughshod over the organization, like Showalter did in Arizona.
To me he’s the only man for the job and we’re lucky he’s available. I also think the candidates have been encouraged to speak to the press so that fans can see for themselves that Girardi’s better suited for the spot.
David, you never kick a man on his way out the door or when he is down. That demonstrates a lack of class. Donnie would never do that.
#9 – I still have the poster to this day.
Pete didn’t ask him what he would do different from Torre.
He asked him what he feels the Yankees in general have to do differently.
I don’t think Pete’s intention was for Mattingly to criticize one of Torre’s moves because I’m sure he knows better than any of us that Donnie Baseball wasn’t going to take the bait.
The second to the last question (Sherman?) asking if Donnie’s worried about his popularity taking a hit was soooooooo lame. But it did ilicit the best response. Donnie was got (relatively) fired up for that one.
Donnie had to be kinda vague with the playoff question, puts him in a tough spot, we all know what the yanks needed to do, who did it,the many who did not and what needs to change. Yanks need an ace, would have been a simple answer. Sox are simply being carried by Becket. Overall, I think Donnie came off really well, as far as not be polished like Girardi who is a professional broadcaster, to me thats a plus, I never trust anyone who supposedly has all the answers.
Looking forward to T-Pen tomorrow.
As a Yankee Fan since 1936, I want Donnie Baseball.
My number one issue with Donnie is that I feel he is going to be the exact same manager as torre. He could have taken Petes question as an oppurtunity to show the public how he is different and what he would do differently as a manager and he failed to do that. That shows me that my concern is legitimate and he shouldnt be the new manager.
Whoever said girardi has one more yr of experience and was fired the next day so what kind of experience is that? How about the fact that he was awarded manager of the year honors does that mean anything to you? It means something to me. Especially as he did it on a team with the smallest payroll in baseball. I doubt torre could do that and he was the highest payed manager in baseball for the majority of his career.
How he sounds on his call to me represents his intelligence and his ability to interact with people more than it stands for his ability to deal with the media.
Whoever says why does Donnie need minor league experience when girardi has none. You cant be serious. Girardi was a major league manager he doesnt need minor league experience. Donnie has no experience managing a baseball team – i think we should let him manage triple A for one yr and see how he handles it. Whats so wrong with that? If he doesnt want to take that job for one yr with the hopes of becoming manager of the yanks, then he doesnt want it bad enough and ppl should question his motivation. People spend a decade in baseball before they are honored with the ability to manage. Why should Donnie earn it for merely being a fan favorite – he has to earn it just like everybody else.
Mr Mattingly was let go after the 95 season, much like bernie was let go this season. he didnt officialy retire until the 97 season. Trust me, if they need to fire him, they will. Havent we learn that everyone is disposable?
Girardi definitely came off more confident, but I think Mattingly was really nervous at the beginning. I know Mattingly knows alot about hitting but I wonder how much he knows on the pitching end..I think that is why the Steins were impressed or would be with Girardi because he knows alot about pitching and that was the 1 area that Torre was alittle lost on or let pass him by. It is a hard decision for whoever is making it but I hope Cashman and crew dont take forever to decide it. They need to do it asap, hopefully by next week and then move on to Posada, Mo and deal with Arod and his master bor-a$$.
“Man, I wish we had Billy Martin now that guy brought the fire and competiveness that these Yankees need.”
More importantly – he would bring his drinking buddy Art Fowler on as pitching coach.
Can you imagine what Joba could do once he added the spitball to his arsenal?!
Pete, I had that poster
You gotta like the Karma # 23 being interview on October 23…..
Well, then Mattingly answered the question. He said they had to play good baseball. They had to execute. At least that’s what I heard. No specifics, but generally, he said it comes down who’s playing the best baseball, and you need to have your team playing the best baseball.
I do not think it would be kicking a man while down/out/whatever. It was pretty much the only insightful question he was asked, and he ducked it. I don’t think that is why he should/shouldnt be Manager, but would’ve shown his style of managing.
I would support a Girardi hire only because I feel like he would be a better manager NOW, not in a few years…
Could you imagine a situation where Donnie is faced with a big losing streak early on with incredible scrutiny and people start booing him or getting upset with his managing/results? With Girardi there isn’t that attachment every fan has and would allow the team/players to operate without worrying about the “stepping on eggshells” stuff that would exist with Don in the manager’s chair.
No matter who is hired I will still support this team like I’ve done every year.
I agree that Pete posed an excellent question – it’s really THE question for the next Yankees manager, isn’t it?
How do the Yankees get past the first round?
Alas, I thought Mattingly’s answer was unsatisfactory. I don’t like this business of calling the postseason a “crapshoot”; although there’s an element of truth there, it seems like a way to deflect responsibility and blame for losing. Also, at the end Mattingly notes that if you lose in the playoffs, you have to try to figure out what went wrong. But it doesn’t seem that Donny has done that necessary analysis of this problem that has plagued the Yankees for the past several years, beyond the recital of standard baseball platitudes (“You got to get in it to win it, and from there you’ve got to play the best baseball,” blah blah blah).
I would have loved to hear Girardi’s answer to that question. I think it would be much more substantive than Donny’s.
Did anyone else notice how that sweater abuser, Russ Salzberg, was able to ask 2 questions?!
Who else liked “Kimberly” better than “Angelina”?
Dave,
Could you tell me how many years of coaching experience did Girardi have before he became the Marlins’ manager?
The answer: One season as bench coach under Torre
Mattingly was the hitting instructor for 3 years and the bench coach for one season.
I think Mattingly has picked up a thing or two over the years about managing a ballclub. He has been essentially trained for this position since the day he came back four years ago.
I LOVE Don Mattingly, but I don’t think he should be the next manager. He’s be Joe Torre Light, and I think we need a change in attitude.
Joe has been a bench coach, manager, and sat in the booth. As Joe said you get a different perspective of the game being in the booth.
My vote is for JOE!!!
Mattingly is not going to say Torre didnt do this or should of done this. The question about what to do different…You think he is going to say Wang stinks thats why we lost?! Or Jeter and Posada went to bed? Arod still thinks the season ends in Sept. like when he was with Texas? As fans it would be nice to hear his side but he wont say that.
If you want someone with a laid-back vibe who makes the players comfortable, then why get rid of Torre? Given that they did nix Torre, I think Girardi seems far better for the job.
Pete’s question was by far the best, although it did put Mattingly in an awkward spot. I was disappointed with his answer. Would have been interesting to see how Girardi would have handled it, and would be interesting to see how Pena would.
What Donnie told the Yanks about what he would have done differently is probably different from what he told the reporters. BTW, Mattingly was the story with the Yanks for about 10 years. He dealt with a throng of reporters every day at his locker, and he handled them really well. You could tell from the call he still had good relationships with a bunch of the long term beat guys. If we want to say Girardi is more deserving, media relations is not the route to take.
Couple of comments on this:
1. I think he came of just fine. Please remember Mattingly does not have the media training that Girardi has. When you do TV you go through extensive training on how to talk, how to get your point across etc , if we are making managerial decisions based on how your conference call goes then we are all in trouble. Yes talking to the media is part and yes a big part of the Yankees job but it is how you talk to your [players and get them to do the job that is important.
2. Regarding Pete’s brilliant question. As much as I would have wanted to hear him answer, he or any other manager is not going to publicly question what was done by someone like Torre at least not right now. He may do it privately in his meetings but he has too much respect for Torre to do it now and in public like that.
3. I thought one of the best answers he gave was to Joel Sherman’s question about tarnishing his legacy by taking this job. he came across forcefully. knowing the deal and not being afraid of failure which I personally think is a good thing.
4. I am sure based on what he said about meeting with the Steinbrenner family that it was something emotional and heartfelt. As he said it was the first time that he was able to really talk with them about what it meant to be a player, coach etc for this team and these owners.
“Angelina” couldn’t hold “Kimberly’s” jockstrap – if she had one.
David –
I don’t know. I think the fans will have more problems than the players or the team management. Mattingly sounded like he knew what the risks would be and that he could take the criticism as part of this job.
If he is hired, as fans, we have to realize this is Mattingly, Part 2 (or Part 3, if you count the coaching as a “part”). Mattingly can never lose what he had as a player. He was simply the best. He gave his all. He will always be revered for being “Donnie Baseball.” We have to allow him to move on. The drive he had to succeed and excel as a player will still be there – that’s a part of who he is. It will not guarantee success, but it will guarantee that he will work hard and do whatever’s necessary. If it doesn’t work out, well, then, it’ll be too bad, but it will pass.
I know Ted Williams did not enjoy the same success as a manager as he did as a player, but most people still talk glowingly of his accomplishments, not his failures. I think it would be the same for mattingly. That being said, I think it’s a bit premature to assume he is not going to be a good manager. Many people over the years have talked about how Mattingly is baseball smart. You do not have to have the best grammar and speech to be a great manager. Did you ever hear Casey Stengel?????
I agree — Kimberly kicked Angelina’s ass.
Mr. Joe was also a catcher, he calls games, 1st baseman dont call games.
I dont really care who the yankees pick, whatever Cain and Abel want to do, is fine with me. Im not gonna judge who should get the job based on 2 conference calls.
Each one has their plus and their minus
Yeah I agree Pete asked the best question, and Donnie had no answer for it.
Me! I thought Kimberly was much, much better than Angelina. Let’s hire her! Seriously, I had the same thought immediately into the call.
I was talking to Bob Costas and Fay Vincent the other night (long story how that happened), and both said the Yankees should hire Bobby Valentine. Which I thought was a horrific idea but didn’t have the guts to say to them.
Donnie should’ve simply said that he’s not comfortable answer that question at this time. What’s the media going to do? Crucify him?
Pete — do you know if Kimberly is hot? She sounds it.
The point is Girardi has managerial experience on a very subpar team and excelled to the point that he was awarded manager of the yr honors. Mattingly has never managed anything above a little league game for a season so he really has no experience in the manager’s chair. It would be nice if he can get a little experience with a mediocre or bad team before he has to face the challenge of managing the new york yankees. Granted, Girardi only has one yr of experience but that yr is huge compared to no experience. Not to mention, Girardi is much more knowledgeable about pitching and we have a ton of young pitchers. Mattingly knows about hitting but the majority of our hitters are all stars and some are future hall of famers. The fact is we need a manager that can focus on pitching. That is our weakest aspect and that is what wins championships.
Saying the playoffs is a crapshoot is a horrible thing to say on your interview day. Why do they need him if any team with any manager and any players can win the world series if you just get into the playoffs? Its a cop out – he has to say something intelligent and with some substance today and he just didnt answer the question. And that could have differentiated his style from torres.
This is one case where I hope they make this a baseball decision rather than a sentimental one.
Totally agree.
Mel,
their decisions should ALWAYS be baseball decisions. Its the sentimental ones that weaken the team.
Pete’s question was perfect. The whole reason Torre went is because of the past 3 years. So why didn’t it work?
A sentimental decision would be the worst thing the Yankees could do. I really hope they use their heads and don’t do what they percieve more Yankee fans would like.
Possibly being privvy to the clubhouse regularly would see the difference between Joe Girardi and Don Mattingly but going by the teleconference takes with the media, Girardi has the better communicative skills and demonstrated more confidence in himself which should tranlate better to the players. Mattingly said he’s studied game situations and what he would do in them for the last 4 years but he still needs to communicate his thoughts and feelings. He ducked the question of what he would do if not named the manager. Edge: Girardi.
Say our situational hitting was poor, we couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it. Every time the Indians needed the big two out hit they got it, we hit into double plays. Maybe I would have put more hit and runs on, bunted in certain situations.
Possibly being privvy to the clubhouse regularly would see the difference between Joe Girardi and Don Mattingly but going by the teleconference takes with the media, Girardi has the better communicative skills and demonstrated more confidence in himself which should translate better to the players. Mattingly said he’s studied game situations and what he would do in them for the last 4 years but he still needs to communicate his thoughts and feelings. He ducked the question of what he would do if not named the manager. Edge: Girardi.
Hey, if you want to read a great op-ed piece, check out Selena Roberts at the New York Times. She wrote about Senator Mitchell, his Red Sox connection, and the timing of the Byrd leak. Very well written.
“For all of the geniuses who say Mattingly should go to AAA (or AA – ha), can they point to Joe Girardi’s minor league experience?”
he managed the Marlins for a year. they are a AAAA team.
Dave,
How do you know that Girardi is much more knowledgeable with young pitchers than Mattingly?
Obviously, he didn’t use any of that wisdom when he had Johnson come back and pitch after an 80 min rain delay. Anyone on this board with half a brain knows that wasn’t very smart.
Many of the Marlins’ fans blame Girardi for abusing his young arms down there which lead to Johnson and Sanchez having Tommy John surgery.
This is also the same Girardi who had a beef with the owner in May and let the incident linger all season without clearing the air or burying the hatchet.
The Marlins’ management wanted the team run a certain way and Girardi stopped talking to them midway through the season.
Sorry, but I don’t want him managing this club under the most demanding front office in MLB.
Jennifer,
While many don’t like small-ball, it certainly would’ve helped us manufacture runs when the offense stalled. I would imagine that Girardi would bring some of that with him, having managed in the NL. We may have had the most runs since that great team from the 30′s, but we also must’ve set some kind of record for team LOB.
Also 4 months ago he said I’m not ready to manage. I spent 3 years in a tunnel under the stadium not watching. I’m not ready. All of a sudden that changes?! Why when he was asked the question initally didn’t he say we have a manager until that changes I’m the bench coach and leave it at that.
Based on the comments in this thread it seems the majority of fans want Girardi. The yankees brass should just poll this blog and listen to the majority with decisions like this – that would be nice. We are smarter than most of them im sure.
I was sold when he said that he had a little Billy Martin in him. Well, hopefully not the paranoia and off-field antics, but the obvious zest for the game and aggressive approach to managing the game.
That has long been my only complaint with Joe Torre – that he show some excitement and get his team a little more fired up in the postseason. Over the last few years there has been no one in the clubhouse to do so, and that is a role that the manager could and should fill.
Dave,
That’s kind of bad, huh? Feels like adultery in this thread.
I don’t recall which game it was but we had 1st and 2nd no outs Jeter up, who *ALWAYS* bunts in tha situation, and he swung away and grounded into a double play, totally killing the inning.
Why wasn’t he told to bunt, yeah he is a vet but Joe was the manager, and knew how important each run is. He would have had Bobby up with 1 out with a chance to give us two runs.
*in fact I think Bobby did drive in the run from 3rd.
jennifer,
What do you mean you don’t remember which game? Don’t you mean which game did he not do it? There were multiple times. lol. I love Jeter, but he was brutal down the stretch with GIDPs.
Anyone who has watched Donnie Baseball play the game, knows he will be nothing like Torre (Except the Classy part) Donnie was a tireless worker with fire in his belly. He studied every pitcher like he was prepping for the Bar exam. He was universally respected by everyone who played with him or against him. Many of the Players who he will be managing or managing against idolized him. So what if he is not the most eloquent guy in the world. He will comand the respect of his players by what he knows on about the game and how hard he works. He has also been managed by some of the best baseball minds ever to grace a diamond. I have to believe he gained a little knowledge from the likes of Billy Martin, Lou Pinella and Dallas Green.
Sentimentality doesn’t win ballgames. Ownership must make this decision based on who gives the team the best chance to win. This is not like adding an option to a new car, this is about taking a large fanbase and making them feel secure for the next season and beyond. It’s about players feeling that their leader will go to the fire with them under all circumstances and with confidence. Joe Girardi is the man with all due respect to Donnie Baseball.
” And you could imagine the field day the papers could have if he did give a specific thing he’d have done differently.”
Then Pete would be accused of being a Randy Levine pawn and of feeding Mattingly a question for the sole purpose of making Joe Torre look bad. LOL.
“I have to believe he gained a little knowledge from the likes of Billy Martin, Lou Pinella and Dallas Green.”
As well as Yogi Berra.
this guy Dave is an idiot
I love Girardi, but I laugh when I hear that he has “so much more experience then Don Mattingly”. Are we talking about Joe Girardi or Connie Mack?
People, Girardi managed for one year!!
the experience question is a joke, it’s Mattingly. Lou Pinella was a hitting coach with the Yanks and became Yankees manager 2 years later. Sending Don anywhere doesnt make sense at this point he either gets the call now or moves on. All the players look up to him , I dont think anyone looks up to Girardi. Maybe Girardi can advise players how to lead the league in hitting into double plays.
I think that you guys/gals are crazy if you think you will still LOVE donnie baseball so much if he is the manager and they miss the playoffs next year or both 08 and 09, you will be KILLING him on this very blog and in the stands as well. Once he is gone from manager, you will LOVE him again should that catastrophic scenario unfold.
I would hope that all thre guys, Joe G, Don, and Pena were/will be asked Pete’s question behind closed doors.
I know Girardi has just that ONE year with Marlins, but that is a big deal. This is the New York Yankees where the playoffs are not just good enough. Hiring a true rookie manager is a tough thing for me to be happy with, even if it is Don Mattingly. This is not Kansas City where a 85-77 season would be praised like crazy. Girardi seems more prepared for this TO ME. I would just hate to see Girardi get a gig after being rejected here. He turned down overtures over the past 12-14 months for this very moment even with a sick family member. Once this job is no longer open, I think he will catch on elsewhere and win because he is a good manager.
I think the safer pick may be Girardi, but Mattingly could be good or even GREAT. At this point, with this team, I prefer the safer pick because I think this team is very close to winning big soon. Either way, I think as long as the manager is one of these two guys, then we will be fine.
I can say that Girardi is more knowledgeable about pitching (I said pitching not young pitching but pitching in general) because he was a catcher and Donnie was a first baseman. Catchers almost always know more about pitching than everyone on the team except the pitchers themselves. Additionally, when you listen to game commentary, when Girardi is announcing you know he has a firm grasp on pitching. Especially when you listen to Girardi and Leiter discuss pitching. Mattingly just doesnt really strike me as very intelligent especially when he is talking in front of a camera. How much does a first baseman know about the mechanics of pitching – he had to concentrate on hitting as a player and that is his forte. I just feel that with so many young, inexperienced pitchers id rather have an ex-catcher as a manager than an ex-first baseman. Especially when our entire lineup is chalk ful of all stars and future hall of famers who dont really need hitting advice from the manager. I feel that girardi learned from his experiences in florida. It is difficult to say that Girardis one yr in florida resulted in marlins pitchers having tommmy john surgery. It is as almost easy to say that Girardis presence in florida resulted in one of the best young pitching rotations in history one yr followed by one of the worst rotations the following season. I feel that management mishandled the situation as much if not more than Girardi mishandled it. He was thurst into a position in which the GM didnt like him from the start as the owner hired him without the GMs consent. That is an akward position for any manager. The biggest flaw I see with mattingly is I feel he will try to mimick torre. They got rid of torre to try something new – not to have mattingly become the exact same manager. I want girardi as much as I dont want Mattingly.
David,
Tony Pena is more experienced than Mattingly and Girardi combined. Should he get the job, in your opinion?
Correct Jennifer, too many squandered opportunities in critical situations and most only requiring fundamental baseball in just moving runners in scoring position. Torre relied too often on the big inning. The Yankees haven’t done well in one run games in recent years and good teams win those types of games. The old adage, he who hesitates is lost.
Tony Pena would be a “sleeper” hire. I do not think he would be a BAD hire, but I like Girardi more.
Sadly I would not be shocked to see Don leave if he doesn’t get the job and in that case, having Pena as a bench coach would be great. Pena was manager for 3 or 4 years in KC and that one year KC was competitive it was GREAT for him, KC and even MLB seeing that team be good again.
Just went back and listened to the 2 interviews. Seems like Mattingly was asked more baseball and Torre questions and Girardi was asked more personal and relationship type questions. Mattingly was walking the bigger tight rope with the questions and how he answered them because he was a part of the current staff and not someone looking in.
I didn’t think eithers style was better. Just different. Girardi sounded like he was at an interview but he can’t carry that formality for a whole season. Mattingly sounded less polished but more like himself. Sounded like he was having a conversation rather than interviewing for a job.
Since when did pitching mechanics become rocket science? or Managing a baseball team for that matter? There are a lot of people posting on this blog who I am sure feel that they can do the job, or they wouldn’t be Critiquing Donnie’s abilities or Girardi’s…If you as a fan can be so Knowledgeable on this sport, what the hell do you think a man who played the sport for most of his life and has coached at the major league level knows about the sport? Don Mattingly has forgotten more about this game than any of us will ever have the privilege to know. Get off your high horse and give the man his due.
I cannot believe Mattingly pulled out “the playoffs are a crapshoot” chestnut. Twice!
That type of thinking is a big part of what’s been wrong with the October Yankees lo these many years.
Pete asked the best and most relevant question by far and Mattingly whiffed. Very disappointing.
Its pretty funny to me that folks can determine somebody’s “intelligence” after listening to a conference call.
How does ANYBODY know what Don Mattingly, or Joe Girardi for that matter, can or can’t do right now? Based on how they sound with the media?
Both guys, especially Mattingly, seem to have enormous respect from the players. To me, that counts for something and is more of a window into their abilities than how media savvy they are.
If that’s the criteria for selecting coaches, somebody needs to fire Bill Belichick immediately. He is, far and away, the worst coach/manager I have ever heard in front of a microphone.
Take this stuff for what’s it worth. Interesting to listen to but don’t be foolish enough to make the leap that you “know” what somebody can or can’t do in the manager’s chair based on a conference call.
The last manager they hired had a career record of over 100 games UNDER .500.
If there was an internet back then, I’d love to have heard folks opinions when their hired Joe Torre.
David,
Of course people will rip Mattingly if as a manager he makes some questionable decisions. Doesn’t mean they won’t still ultimately love Donnie Baseball. Donnie manager may be a different story, but I prefer to think that he has just as much of a chance to succeed as not.
Just read this on the nyt blog
* “The New York Yankees are saddened to announce the passing of media relations department intern Matthew Wasser, 22, who passed away tragically early Sunday morning in Waltham, Mass., as a passenger in a cab hit by a person charged with operating under the influence of alcohol.�
Matt began working with the Yankees’ media relations department in the spring of 2007, dealing extensively with local, national and international media covering the team on a daily basis.
Born and raised in Bernardsville, N.J., Matt was to graduate from the College of New Jersey in December, 2007 with a degree in Communications. He is survived by his parents, Marilyn Gottlieb Wasser and Eric Wasser, and siblings Jason and Stephanie.
“Matt will long be remembered for his boundless enthusiasm and uplifting, selfless spirit,� said Jason Zillo, the Yankees’ director of media relations.
Services will be held on Thursday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Sholom on 594 North Bridge Street in Bridgewater, N.J. The family asks that any memorial gifts be sent in Matt’s name to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The American Cancer Society or Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation. To send condolences to the family, visit http://www.brucecvanarsdalefuneralhome.com.
Amen SJ!!!
That’s horrible. Why is it always the person the drunk driver hits that gets the short end?
My condolences to the Wasser family.
Jennifer,
Read that story too, The horror of DWI hits the Yankees and a 22 year old kid with so much to look fwd to. Really sad, at the same time really maddening…When will people take operating a 3500 lb machine seriously?
Yeah it always seems like the drunk walks away, while harming killing the victim.
Pete we need an edit button!!
*while killing the victim.*
To all the people criticizing Donnie’s answer to Pete’s question…Please answer it for me with out throwing Torre under the Bus. I am dieing to hear this…
First off I came into this as a Donnie supporter.
Let’s not try to make this decision on a the polish of a guy in a 15 minute sound bite when they have 5+ hours with real questions and topics. I mean lots of good managers are not great with media…that’s the least of my concerns here.
Having said that I did not like some of Donnie’s answers. He was Fred Thompson without the campaign funding. I mean he basically said nothing for 15 minutes, and I mean nothing. His answer to Pete’s question was abysmal too. I mean he basically said there was nothing to do different…Really? then what the heck is he adding. I don’t see what he’s bringing to the table and he was my guy…I kept waiting for something to say..that’s why!!!
I am moving toward Girardi.
The playoffs are a crapshoot ? That rings of same old – same old. Low expectations = low results. It’s one thing to guard against failure but at least show some confidence.
Well it’s time to go watch “House” Love that show
“I’ve heard that experience thing come up a lot,” he said, “but in my own mind I’ve been managing for the last four years, and to be honest with you, as a player you’re playing along the whole time.”
He says he has been managing in his head for 4 years, why not tell us something about that?
I thought he did alright.
I’m personally torn between him and Girardi.. I think its a tough call..
Why should he, or any candidate, say anything? Its none of our business what goes on behind the scenes.
Also, I am sure the Yankees don’t want their process out there for everyone to discuss.
What Mattingly, or any candidate, says in a conference call is meaningless to me.
What they say behind closed doors in the interview process is all that matters.
“We” (the fan base) are not choosing the next manager. Sometimes, we all need to remember that and not be so hyper critical over everything.
I think DM could do a fine job as the skipper but how many games will he blow until he gets to that point?
I mean how about not starting Wang on 3 days…I know he did not want to hurt Joe T and criticize but by not doing it he is aligning to the same philosophy…again…he is not going to be a better Torre than Joe was so why hire…
I have talked myself into Girardi…its hard not to…and I love Donnie
But if he was the bench coach shouldn’t he have also been helping Joe out as to what to do in certain situations? Why didn’t he say I’ve given imput to Joe this past year?
Don’t forget Joe T is on hbo.
Started off pretty awkward, but ended strong… I especially enjoyed his answer about having no fear.
However, ducking the question about what he would do differently with the team was baaaaaaad. I can’t get that out of my head. At best he was avoiding the question because there is no way to make it sound like anything other than a Torre criticism, at worst he either hasn’t thought about what he would do different or (gah!) doesn’t think anything needs to be done different
That’s just it Dave…I mean he made it sound like a crap shoot and predestined once you are in the playoffs. Why hire a guy with that attitude? How can he spin that when he is in the first round next year and they are down 2-1? Decisions have to mean something or he is in the wrong job.
the thing that kills me about the crapshoot answer is: if it is such a crapshoot, why should it matter if its girardi, you, pena, or joe torre even? you know. if its a crapshoot once we hit october, then let sj or peter manage the team during the playoffs. its a dopey answer.
Mattingly said he learned from Billy Martin, Lou Piniella, and Dallas Green and in his final year, under Buck Showalter.
Well let’s see here. Mattingly wasn’t around when Billy got his only World Series ring as a manager in ’77. Piniella got his 2 Yankee rings under Billy and Bob Lemon. Dallas Green got his ring as manager of the Phillies. Showalter like Mattingly never got a ring. He never got one under Torre. That must be where he gets his crapshoot thought.
Donnie came across less nervous than I expected him to, but some of his answers made me LOL. For example “I’ve been managing in my own mind this whole time”…my immediate thought was, so have those amateurs and fans on all these blogs! And when he said “I talked to different people in other jobs who have gone on job interviews…” that made me think of an intern interviewing for his first job!
Donnie fans please don’t throw tomatoes. But admit it some of his answer were funny!
Hey i’ve been managing yankees games in my mind while watching them on tv also for 25 years…When is my interview?
My vote is for Joe G.
As much as I appreciate this “inside view” of getting to hear these media Q&A, I’m starting to worry that the candidates’ run for office are getting too public. Here we are hearing Donnie repeatedly stressing that he is “100% ready”, and that this is what he had wanted this whole time, and he didn’t tell anyone but this was in his mind for 4 years…It’s gonna be hard for him to save face when he doesn’t get the job, and really awkward for him to stay on the coaching staff if Girardi or Pena gets the job.
I’m 33 and the two things I loved the most as a child and tweener were Don Mattingly and the Transformers. In one year I get a movie and Mattingly as a manager. I have faith Mattingly will be a better manager than that Michael Bay cluster F.
I bought that Mattingly Picture as an 8 by 10 glossy when I was 12 and framed it. Ive always hung it by my bed but whenever I have a new girlfriend I put it away in a drawer.
I like the way Joe answered yesterday, I didn’t like Donnies answers as much, still i think don will be fine with the job. I am excited to hear Tony Pena’s conference call tommorrow.
He didnt sound at first like he had as polished or profesional answers as Girardi did but he shouldnt considering the experience factor. However, towards the end he sounded to really know what he wanted to say. I think Donny will have a harder time in aswering questions than he will with actual baseball stuff but he’ll catch on quick with the interviews and such since he did experience some of that from his playing days.