Don Mattingly named 2013 NL Manager of the Year finalist

Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly was named a finalist for National League Manager of the Year on Tuesday, meaning he is in the top three of voting for the award by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Mattingly is joined by fellow finalists Clint Hurdle of the Pirates (the likely winner) and Fredi Gonzalez of the Braves.

The Manager of the Year Awards in both leagues will be announced on Nov. 12, on MLB Network.

Mattingly guided the Dodgers to a 92-70 record and a National League West division title in 2013, his third season as manager. But the season was anything but ordinary.

The Dodgers, with their payroll north of $230 million, were languishing in last place in the division and were 30-42 as late as June 21. It is unknown exactly how close Mattingly was to getting fired, but his seat was indeed hot and he talke numerous times later in the year about conversations with CEO Stan Kasten and general manager Ned Colletti earlier in the season that his job situation could be in jeopardy if the Dodges continued their losing ways.

But the Dodgers didn't continue losing, but rather reeled off an unbelievable 53-13 (.803) run over 10 weeks that put the Dodges well in control of the division. The Dodgers won the NL West going away, finishing 11 games ahead of the second-place Diamondbacks.

The BBWAA awards are voted on at the end of the regular season, before the playoffs.

The Manager of the Year Award has been given since 1983, and the only Dodger to win it was Tommy Lasorda, who won in 1983 and 1988.