Joe Torre Out; Don Mattingly To Manage Dodgers In 2011

Joe Torre will not manage the Dodgers next season, and will be replaced by Don Mattingly, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.

Torre began contract extension talks last winter, with the idea of staying one or two more seasons after 2010, perhaps with a move to the front office. But those talks had since broken off, with Torre undecided on whether or not he wanted to return. He said earlier this season that he would wait until after the Dodgers had either clinched a playoff spot or were officially eliminated.

The prevailing thought for some time has been that hitting coach Mattingly, who also coached under Torre in New York, would succeed Torre as manager of the Dodgers. Last winter, Mattingly turned down an interview for the vacant Nationals' managerial position, and the Dodgers declined permission to Cleveland for a second interview for their vacant managerial post as it was reported Mattingly was working on formalizing a succession agreement with Los Angeles.

Tim Wallach had also emerged as a strong candidate to succeed Torre. Wallach, unlike Mattingly, has managerial experience, managing the Dodgers' Triple A affiliate in Albuquerque the last two seasons.

Under Torre, the Dodgers won two postseason series in his first two seasons, two more than they had won in the previous 19 seasons. With the Dodgers, Torre has a 251-220 record, a .533 winning percentage. Torre, who turned 70 earlier this year, is the oldest manager in franchise history.

Torre, who made the playoffs all 12 seasons he managed the Yankees, tied Bobby Cox's record with 14 consecutive postseason appearances last year. If the Dodgers, who are 72-75 entering play today, finish under .500, it will be Torre's first losing season since 1995 with the Cardinals, when he was fired after a 20-27 start to the season.

In 29 seasons as a major league manager, Torre was 2,318-1,990, a winning percentage of .538. He made the playoffs 15 times, won six pennants, and won four World Series.