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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No description foundDan JenningsSeasons: 2015 Record: 55-69 Playoffs: 0Jennings moved from the front office to the dugout when he took over for the Marlins after a 16-22 start in 2015. The Marlins finished 55-69 under Jennings, who was removed from his post after the season.Mike RedmondSeasons: 2013-15 Record: 151-207 Playoffs: 0Redmond became a first-time Major League Baseball manager when he was hired by the Marlins on Nov. 1, 2012. He received a contract extension after the 2014 season but was fired after a 16-22 start in 2015.Ozzie Guillen Seasons: 2012 Record: 69-93 Playoffs: 0Guillen was hired after eight successful seasons as manager of the Chicago White Sox, who won the 2005 World Series under his watch. In April 2012, Guillen was suspended by the Marlins for five games after some controversial comments he made in support of former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Guillen was fired at the end of the season.Edwin Rodriguez Seasons: 2010-11 Record: 78-85 Playoffs: 0Rodriguez became interim manager of the Florida Marlins in June 2010. He kept the job in 2011 but resigned on June 19 with the team clinging to a 32-39 record and last place in the division.Fredi GonzalezSeasons: 2007-10 Record: 276-279 Playoffs: 0The Miami native was hired as Marlins manager on Oct. 3, 2006. Despite winning more games than any other manager in Marlins history, Gonzalez was fired on June 23, 2010. He took over as manager of the Atlanta Braves in 2011.Joe Girardi Seasons: 2006 Record: 78-84 Playoffs: 0Girardi guided the Marlins to a 78-84 record as manager of a team with the lowest payroll in Major League Baseball. However, the National League manager of the year was fired after his relationship with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria soured. Girardi became manager of the New York Yankees in 2008.Jack McKeonSeasons: 2003-05 Record: 286-257 Playoffs: 1 Postseason Record: 11-6McKeon was hired by the Marlins in 2003, leading the team to its second world championship with a 4-2 series victory against the New York Yankees. He resigned after the 2005 season but returned to manage the Marlins in 2011 after Rodriguez resigned. The Marlins won 40 of their final 50 games upon McKeon's return.Jeff TorborgSeasons: 2002-03 Record: 95-105 Playoffs: 0Torborg had managed the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets and Montreal Expos before taking the helm of the Marlins in 2002. He was fired after the Marlins got off to a 16-22 start in 2003.John BolesSeasons: 1999-01 Record: 165-206 Playoffs: 0Boles had served as interim manager of the Marlins in 1996, leading the team to a 40-35 finish. Boles took the full-time job in 1999, but he was fired on May 28, 2001, after a 22-27 start.Jim Leyland Seasons: 1997-98 Record: 146-178 Playoffs: 1 Postseason Record: 11-5Leyland managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1986-96 before becoming manager of the Marlins in 1997. He led the Marlins to their first world championship after a 4-3 series victory against the Cleveland Indians in the 1997 World Series, but he resigned after the 1998 season. He went on to manager the Colorado Rockies in 1999 and the Detroit Lions from 2006-13.Rene LachemannSeasons: 1993-96 Record: 221-285 Playoffs: 0Lachemann was the first manager in Marlins history, but the team never had a winning season under his tenure. The former Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers manager was fired on July 7, 1996. He became a coach with the Colorado Rockies in 2013.
