It's Raining Dodger Managers

Aloha everybody,

Today the hammer fell, and Don Mattingly was let go by the Dodgers. Both sides claim it was mutual, but I lean 60-40 the skipper was fired. 

Anyway, that's not what this post is about. The news of Mattingly's departure got me to thinking about putting together a post around past Dodger managers and Dodger players who went on to become managers. 

This post is by no means all-inclusive, as I'm missing a few managers; the most notable hole in my collection being Wilbert Robinson from the old Brooklyn team. If I ran one of those Nebulous Nine or Eight Men Out type lists, ol' Uncle Robbie would surely have a place on it.(Hint, hint)

All that said, let's get a look at the Dodgers that I do have...

Leading off is the greatest manager the Dodgers ever had, and he was the first Dodgers manager I ever knew. 

His time at the helm stretched back to the days in New York, and he managed the Dodgers to four World Championships, from Brooklyn's first (and only one) to Sandy Koufax's final one.

Moving on to the two teams who just finished battling for the National League pennant...

Ol' Zim managed a few squads - the Padres, Red Sox, Rangers, and of course, he will always be remembered as the manager of the Cubbies to me. 

Gil Hodges managed the Senators and you got it - the Mets. He led the "Miracle Mets" to the Worlds Championship. There you go Mets, some Dodgers World Series luck rubbed off on you. No need to be so hostile. 

Nuff' said about them...

 Speaking of teams I don't want to speak about, Craig managed the Padres and the Giants (BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!). 

While we're on the subject of managers for the Giants...

Baker managed the Giants, Cubs and the Reds. 

Now that there is an opening for the Dodgers, a few folks are mentioning his name as a replacement for Mattingly, but there is no way I want Baker and his toothpick anywhere near the Dodgers dugout. 

I think the man is World Series jinxed. He was managing the Giants when they were inches away from clinching the World Series. His kid ran across home plate in the middle of a play, the Giants suddenly imploded, and the Angels won the championship. 

Baker was manging the Cubs when they were inches away from making it to the World Series, and then Steve Bartman arose...leaned out?

And we all know how many World Series' the Reds won with Dusty. 

By the way, that Angels team which beat Bakers' Giants was managed by another former Dodger...

Here's Scioscia practicing for his future days as a manager.

And now for my favorite Dodgers manager of all time - good ol' Tommy Lasagna... 

 Tommy only managed one team, for two decades, and he won a World Championship in each one. 

He then went on to manage Team USA to an Olympic gold medal over a monstrously talented Cuban team. Nuff' said. 

This guy only managed one team as well...

With a nod to Night Owl, I used this card because it features a shot of Eck's delivery. Sorry N.O., one of his feet is cropped off.

Back when the Dodgers were trying out different managers every couple of years, Bill Russell got a shot at the reigns. You say you don't remember Russell as manger? I'm trying to forget that mess as well. 

Rumors are swirling around who will be the next Dodgers manager. One of the names being kicked around is this guy's...

 If Roenicke gets the nod, I'll have pulled the grand manager-collecting coup by owning his rookie card. 

Aloha!