Dodgers' manager Joe Torre announced today that he will step down after the season and hand the reins over to Don Mattingly. It's unclear if he will retire or look to manage elsewhere, but that's not enough to stop everyone from chiming in on the move. Let's see what is being written about Torre's decision…
- Dusty Baker spoke fondly of Torre to John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
- Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com says the Dodgers have been grooming Mattingly for the job and have been in constant communication with commissioner Bud Selig's office about their desire to hire him, which is why they did not have to go through the interview process (Twitter links).
- AOL FanHouse's Tom Krasovic doesn't think Mattingly is the right guy for the job.
- FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi states the obvious and says that Mattingly has his hands full with his first managerial position.
- Jack Moore of FanGraphs says if nothing else, this will serve as a decent test of Mattingly's ability to lead in the clubhouse.
- Tom Verducci of SI.com thinks that Torre has accomplished everything he's set out to do as a manager.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman hears that Torre is unlikely to get the Mets' managerial job, which of course is not vacant yet (Twitter link). Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post says he isn't a candidate for the Marlins' job, either.
- Meanwhile, CBSSports.com's Dan Knobler hears that Torre is unlikely to manage anywhere next season (Twitter link).
- ESPN's Buster Olney says (via Twitter) that Torre is tired of the travel, and another job would have to be a "perfect fit."
- Triple-A Albuquerque manager Tim Wallach told Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times that he would prefer to be on Mattingly's staff next year rather than back managing in the minors (Twitter link).
