Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Finalist For NL Manager Of The Year

It was a tough season for Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, but he was rewarded and is a finalist for NL Manager of Year. Back in May, nobody could’ve predicted that Mattingly would still have his job as the Dodgers season was slowly slipping away.

At 30-42 and 9.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West, Mattingly guided the Dodgers to an NL West division crown and an NLCS berth. Today, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced the news that he was among the top three managers in baseball:

Finalists for NL Manager of the Year (alphabetically): Fredi Gonzalez, Braves; Clint Hurdle, Pirates; Don Mattingly, Dodgers

— BBWAA (@officialBBWAA) November 5, 2013

Mattingly is currently slated to return for at least next season as he and his representative try and work out a multi-year extension with Dodgers management. Criticized for his lineup construction and in-game strategy, the Dodgers fired Mattingly’s best friend and bench coach Trey Hillman as they look to hire a bench coach to help in those areas.

It was at an awkward press conference after the Dodgers season ended where Mattingly made his biggest stand, saying he wouldn’t return if he was a “lame duck” manager for another season. Since then, he’s stated that he will honor the remaining year on his contract as the Dodgers look to improve on their 2013 season in 2014.

The winner of NL Manager of the Year will be announced on November 12 at 8 pm EST on MLB Network as Mattingly looks to be the first Dodger manager since 1988 to take home the award.

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