Don Mattingly introduced as new Miami Marlins manager

Former Dodgers manager says he's 'excited' to bring winning baseball to Miami

MIAMI – The Miami Marlins introduced Don Mattingly as the team's new manager Monday morning.

Mattingly said he was "excited for the opportunity" to bring a winning team to Miami.

The Marlins (71-91), who entered the year with high expectations, finished the season 20 games under .500.

Mattingly comes to Miami after five seasons as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He compiled a 446-363 record in Los Angeles.

He replaces Dan Jennings, who took over in May after the team fired Mike Redmond. Jennings was 43-59 at the helm.

The 54-year-old skipper was a six-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove Award winner who spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees (1982-95). Mattingly was the American League most valuable player in 1985 and won the AL batting title a year earlier.

Mattingly Poll

Mattingly began his coaching career in New York under Joe Torre in 2004 and followed him to the Dodgers in 2008. When Torre retired after the 2010 season, Mattingly took over, leading the Dodgers to a winning record each year and consecutive playoff berths from 2013-15.

The Marlins signed Mattingly to a four-year deal through the 2019 season. He becomes the eighth Marlins manager under owner Jeffrey Lorria since 2010.

Mattingly told Local 10 News sports director Will Manso that one of his biggest reservations before coming to Miami was the team's history of starting over with new managers so frequently.

"I'm not afraid to answer questions about what's going on with the game or why we did something," Mattingly told Manso. "I know you're going to get second guessed, but that's just part of it."

Mattingly said making sure that "communication is open" is key to a lasting relationship between the dugout and the front office.

During Mattingly's introductory news conference, Marlins President David Samson said he didn't want to be back introducing a new manager again.

Mattingly seems to feel the same.

"I plan on being here at least 10" years, Mattingly said.

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