LOS ANGELES (AP) — Don Mattingly kept preaching patience.
Through the Los Angeles Dodgers’ early season slide into last place, the injuries to key players, and the reports that his job was in jeopardy, the third-year manager kept his cool.
He told everyone that the talent was there and the team’s fortunes would change. Did they ever.
The Dodgers went on a 42-8 tear from late June to mid-August to win the NL West and earn their first playoff appearance in four years.
Mattingly is quick to credit his players and coaching staff, part of the even-keeled Hoosier’s steady approach during a wildly up-and-down season. He’s as low-key managing one of baseball’s most storied franchises as he was playing for another during a superstar career with the New York Yankees.
