Fansided

Could Don Mattingly leave LA to manage the Tigers?

By Jake Misener

Oct 12, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly during the 8th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the National League Championship Series baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly during the 8th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the National League Championship Series baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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I know, I know. It sounds crazy, right?

I had the idea earlier this morning, and it seemed crazy even to me, but after Don Mattingly and Ned Colletti had their recent encounter with the media, it seems a whole lot more plausible.

Sitting just feet away from Colletti, Mattingly let a comment go that turned heads across the room when asked about his return to the Dodgers in 2014.

"“I love it here, but I don’t want to be anywhere I’m not wanted.”"

Personally, I don’t blame Mattingly. After being mere days from losing his job as manager of the Dodgers earlier this season, he and his team turned it around and went on a historic run that led to the team’s appearance in the NLDS, where they eventually fell to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Despite this historic turnaround, Mattingly’s option was never picked up during the season. Earlier today, Mattingly announced his option vested when the Dodgers won the National League Division Series, but his return was anything but a lock due to the fact he didn’t enjoy being a lame duck manager on a one-year contract.

So let’s say that Dave Dombrowski, general manager of the Detroit Tigers comes calling. Does Mattingly leave the City of Angels in hopes of bringing a World Series title to the Motor City?

I’d say that the odds are slim, currently. That being said, it’s far from a complete fallacy. Mattingly has major ties to the New York Yankees, but that’s not going to happen. However, Donnie Baseball is from Indiana, which is a whole lot closer to Detroit than it is Los Angeles.

What this comes down to is Dodgers ownership and Colletti. If they want him back, it’s time to start acting like it. They’ve given the media fodder all season long concerning Mattingly, and quite frankly, if the Tigers would actually call, I don’t think anyone can blame him if he entertains it.

It was a historic turnaround led by a manager who looked to bring a World Series to Los Angeles. He fell short, but the blame shouldn’t fall solely on his shoulders.

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