Farewell, Joe. Hello Donnie Baseball?

After a long and illustrious career, Joe Torre reign as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers ends after three short years. He came with a pedigree that was lacking with previous Dodger managers following the legendary Tommy Lasorda. Torre was a winner as evidenced by his four World Series rings with the New York Yankees after wandering around with the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves with mild to varying success. Yet, he was somebody who could bring a winning culture to a team that has been treading in mediocrity the last 20 years.

In his three years, he brought the Dodgers to two Division Championships and consecutive trips to the NLCS. Yet, they could never get a sniff of a World Series thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies who beat them 4-1 both times they got to the NLCS. His chances for a third have gone up in smoke as the organization has deteriorated into a chaotic environment. It has spared no one from the Owners on down to the players themselves. It's tragic that his career end this way but who can blame him for leaving?

In 2010, the Dodgers offense has disappeared under the bright Chavez Ravine lights. It has become a disappointing season for their Big 3 (Either, Loney and Kemp) who were expected to make the next step but took a big step back. In addition, the loss of Russell Martin, their starting catcher for the season was a devastating blow.

This season that has seen the sudden emergence of the San Diego Padres along with their hated rivals, the San Francisco Giants. Last night, the Giants absolutely crushed the Dodgers the night before. Not only that, but their ex-manager, Jim Tracy has resurrected the lowly Colorado Rockies who are currently 1 1/2 games out of First Place after a 7-5 victory over the Dodgers.

With the announcement of Don Mattingly as manager of the Dodgers, it is both puzzling and perplexing. At the same time, it does not generate any good will to a frustrated fan base reeling both the product on the field as well as the messy divorce battle between the McCourts (Jaime and Frank). The selection seems like something from the Donald Sterling playbook on how to save a couple of dollars for the bottom line rather than a move to improve the team.

Don was a great player during a dark period of the New York Yankees during the 1980s and Mid-1990s where they rarely made the playoffs at all until his final season in 1995. Ironically, he's going into yet another franchise facing a dark period itself and it resides just 3000 miles to the west of the Bronx.

In addition, his relative inexperience at managing a ball club and his leadership does not instill the confidence for a club reeling this season. It was evident this past July, when he went to the pitchers mound twice during a pivotal late July game against the Giants at Dodger Stadium. Subsequently, the umpire threw Mattingly out of the game. It led to an automatic pitching change and ultimately led to the "hated ones" pulling out the victory, which sent the Dodgers tumbling.

During the press conference, it was announced that Mattingly will go to the Arizona Fall League to manage. It will be a testing tube for the new manager in training during the off-season. When April 1, 2011 rolls around, will the lessons of the Arizona Fall League and his brief spell as manager good enough to steer the Dodgers out of the dark fog or could he drive them deeper into the abyss? Only time will tell.