Should we hire Don Mattingly?

by jeepers on Oct 29, 2007 5:45 PM PDT

This idea has been fomenting in my head all day, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. I haven't quite yet figured out where he fits best (AA or AAA, or lower), but I'm fairly close to convinced he would be a great hire for the A's.

There are lots of reasons why this idea doesn't make sense. For one, we're probably going to have to compete for him, and the A's are famously unwilling to compete for coaching resources. For another, Don Mattingly's remarkable offensive career was anything but an approach which represented the A's offensive philosophies. Despite a .307 career average, Mattingly only managed a .358 OBP, and was an extremely aggressive (if impossible to strike out) hitter.

That said, Mattingly also brings something to the A's offensive approach that they lack. He was an an extremely effective hitter with runners in scoring position. He was a fantastic defensive player as well, despite not being a guy you'd look at and call "athletic." And, while I can only support this claim anecdotally, he was one of the smartest hitters I've ever had the pleasure to watch.

I have no real information about how valuable the Yankee players found his instruction the past couple of years, which is a significant defecit. But if that information is positive, I'd tend to believe in a big way, based on the way he played the game.

Mattingly, I can only assume, wants managerial experience if he wants to manage in the majors, and we can offer that to him. Why not swoop in now, and scoop him up to manage one of our minor-league teams?

Poll

Should Don Mattingly manage one of our affiliates?

Yes, a lower team

4 votes

No thanks, he's just discarded Yankee window dressing

27 votes

Yes, Sacramento

48 votes

Yes, Midland

2 votes

Yes, Stockton

3 votes

84 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

sure why not

but i'm sure he'll get a major league job (as a bench coach if not as a manager), and we just filled all those positions.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 29, 2007 5:39 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe as a manager...

I don't know why you would make a lateral move if you're him, though. Best to get some (preferably high-level) managerial experience to build that resume, isn't it? The RiverCats are a good team to manage, too, since they stockpile so much older talent.

So it goes.

by jeepers on Oct 29, 2007 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm guessing Todd Steverson goes to Sac-Town.

He's marched through the system like a prospect player, and he's had good success along the way.

And if the A's keep Robnett around, all the more reason, since Steverson has managed him at every level and should be due a shift to AAA by now.

We should play Jack Cust at shortstop for a week, just so we can feel good about Crosby again.

by Ozzz on Oct 29, 2007 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I find it pretty hard to imagine ...

that he'd be willing to manage in the minors or that he'd need to.

If I'm wrong, I'll personally roll out the red carpet and welcome him to Sac.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Oct 29, 2007 5:39 PM PDT reply actions

Should we hire him to play SS, you mean?

<thinks for a few seconds> ... Eh sure, why not?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 29, 2007 6:01 PM PDT reply actions

Sure

just as soon as he cuts those sideburns...

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Oct 29, 2007 7:03 PM PDT reply actions

I think you fermented this idea.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Oct 29, 2007 7:24 PM PDT reply actions

He will be in LA

Now that Torre is coming here.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 29, 2007 10:21 PM PDT reply actions

yep, that's it

by OaklandSi on Oct 29, 2007 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions

no

by Zonis on Oct 30, 2007 7:54 AM PDT reply actions

I wonder

what exactly he brings to the table, which to me seems like, nothing that another guy couldn't bring. Unless he can play 1st base.

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Oct 30, 2007 10:58 AM PDT reply actions

sideburns?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 30, 2007 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess being a bench coach

is better for your managerial prospects than managerial experience.

Oh well...

So it goes.

by jeepers on Oct 31, 2007 7:40 PM PDT reply actions

Magadan

He's the guy the A's should have hired as hitting coach several changes ago. He played in Oakland and understands the organizational approach. He has had a lot to work with in Boston, however, look at the solid ABs rookies like Pedroia and Ellsbury give everytime.

by NoeValley on Nov 1, 2007 4:15 PM PDT reply actions