Washington Nationals News: Don Mattingly Will Not Interview For Manager Job
By Ricky Keeler
As the first round of interviews for the Washington Nationals’ managerial position comes to a close, it was confirmed today that one of the more prominent names that was recently fired would not get an interview from the organization. According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio, former Dodgers’ manager Don Mattingly is not under consideration for the Nats’ managerial opening:
Nationals do not plan on interviewing Don Mattingly for their managerial opening according to sources https://t.co/YQkCVLMRfC
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) October 23, 2015
Mattingly, who mutually parted ways with the Dodgers on Thursday, had a career winning percentage of .551 in his five seasons in Los Angeles. Despite winning three straight National League West division titles, the Dodgers and their $300 million payroll could not make the World Series during any of those seasons.
This news comes at a little bit of a surprise because of the Lerners’ past interest in Mattingly. Last Friday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and MLB Network said in his Inside Baseball column that Nats’ ownership has shown interest in Mattingly in the past. However, with the team already establishing its initial list of candidates, maybe it’s a little too late to further look at Mattingly as the next manager at this time.
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While Donnie Baseball won’t be the manager of the Nationals next season, the Nats might be facing a team he manages a lot next season. Right now, Mattingly appears to be one of the leading candidates to be the next manager of the Miami Marlins:
Don Mattingly now becomes the favorite for #Marlins managerial job. Phil Nevin and Larry Bowa had two interviews w #Marlins
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 22, 2015
In addition to Mattingly, the Nationals will not be giving an interview to someone that has been on their coaching staff since 2012. According to William Ladson of MLB.com, the Nats will not interview Randy Knorr for the manager job. Knorr was recently given the position of senior assistant to general manager Mike Rizzo.
As of right now, the names that have interviewed for the Nats’ manager position are Phil Nevin, Tim Wallach, Dusty Baker, Ron Gardenhire, Andy Green, Ron Wotus, and Bud Black. James Wagner and Chelsea Janes of the Wasington Post reported that Baker and Black are both going to be brought in for another interview.
From @chelsea_janes and yours truly, the Nats are expected to bring in Bud Black & Dusty Baker for more interviews https://t.co/Pbapv8Oklh
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) October 23, 2015
Washington is one of only three teams (San Diego and LA) that have manager vacancies since the Mariners announced today that Scott Servais will be their next manager as he replaces Lloyd McClendon.
Next: District Daily: Nats Interview Tim Wallach For Manager