After coaching under Joe Torre in New York and Los Angeles, Don Mattingly took the helm as Dodgers manager in 2011. He guided the club to a pedestrian 82-79 record as a rookie skipper, though the Dodgers increased their win total through each of Mattingly’s first four seasons.
What’s more, Los Angeles won three consecutive National League West titles under their former manager for the first time in franchise history. The Dodgers have also posted three straight seasons with at least 90 wins for the first time since 1976-78.
In five seasons as Dodgers manager, Mattingly was 446-363 (.551 winning percentage). However, for all of the club’s regular-season success, Mattingly was 8-11 in the postseason.
Outside of a trip to the NL Championship Series in 2013, the Dodgers never advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs under their former skipper.
During his tenure in Los Angeles, the now-Miami Marlins manager faced high expectations and scrutiny, often had a clubhouse full of big personalities, and attempted his hand at a juggling act with the surplus of outfielders.
One oft-reported source of conflict was the relationship, or lack thereof, Mattingly had with Yasiel Puig. There appeared to be little love lost between the two over the years as they worked to remain cordial.
According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Puig believes he and Mattingly never understood each other, which is an issue the polarizing outfielder doesn’t have with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts:
“He did his job, I did mine,” Puig said. “We didn’t understand each other. Now that he’s not here, we don’t have to talk about him. Puig wanted instead to talk about Roberts. “He and I are on the same page,” Puig said. “We have the same goals. We have a good friendship.”
Puig previously remarked Mattingly “did the best he could” with the Dodgers, though stopped short of placing the blame for the team’s shortcomings on his former manager.
Coupled with instructing Puig to lose weight over the offseason, which the Dodgers believe will be instrumental in the 25 year old avoiding hamstring injuries, the front office is relying on Roberts being able to connect with Puig.
Los Angeles reportedly received trade calls on the 25 year old during the offseason, but have maintained they are not interested in dealing Puig. He’s under team control through the next four seasons.
