The Dodgers have been a huge disappointment this year after being hyped up as World Series contenders by everyone. Right now rumors are swirling about Don Mattingly’s job after a very inflammatory article written by Ken Rosenthal. Of course nothing Rosenthal wrote in the post was an outright non-truth. We’ve all been asking the same questions.

Rosenthal actually thought that mattingly may get canned before the Dodgers even got home, or so he wrote. Of course that’s not going to happen, but I can understand why he was thinking that. The Dodgers looked terrible during the Atlanta series. The Dodgers had a late lead in all three games, and the bullpen blew every game in the series. That’s three consecutive blown games. It was infuriating. The Dodgers have played terrible Baseball all season long, and have struggled with their fundamentals.  if they continue to play horrendous Baseball, then Mattingly will get fired eventually.

Let’s get one thing straight though, it’s not going to happen today or anytime soon. It’s just too early. I’ve said before if it is going to happen, then it probably won’t happen until around June or July. Late May is still way too early to be replacing your manager. Still something needs to change. I’ve said it before, the Dodgers are stagnating, and need change more than anything.

Mattingly has got to turn this around-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Mattingly’s recent comments about Andre Ethier, and the rest of the players may not have gone over very well with Dodger ownership. Mattingly is talking like a man who is already on his way to the unemployment line. It’s bad stuff and I’m not going to get into that now. It’s very strange since those comments were very un-Mattingly like. It makes me think that perhaps there is some discontent in the Dodger clubhouse right now. That’s not surprising. Why? Because losing isn’t fun, and when a team is losing, people get angry and handle it in different ways. Losing clubhouses are generally not harmonious. Winning is the only cure for it.

The question I hear asked all the time is, “if we do replace Mattingly will that actually be enough to turn the season around for the Dodgers?” Would bringing in a new manager have any effect on the rest of the season?

It’s a fair question. So I turned to the books for some answers. How many teams have gone on to make the playoffs, or win pennants and World Series in the same season in which they made a mid-season managerial change? There have been a lot. I can think of two or three teams just off the top of my head.

I’ll give three recent examples.

Example 1#-1982 Milwaukee Brewers

Since the Dodgers just wrapped up their season series with the Brewers, let’s use them as the first example. The 1982 Brewers started that year with manager Buck Rodgers at the helm. At first They were terrible. After a 23-24 start, The Brewers fired Rodgers, and brought in longtime coach Harvey Kuenn to manage the team the rest of the season. After Kuenn took over in May, the Brewers went 72-43 the rest of the way. Kuenn led the Brew Crew to a 95-67 record, and an A.L. East division title, and eventually an American League pennant. This was the team that was known as “Harvey’s Wall bangers”. That was the Brewers only World Series appearance to date. The Brewers lost to the Cardinals in seven games in the 1982 World Series. The Brewers went from languishing in mediocrity in mid May, to the World Series in October. They fell just one game short of winning a championship. Kuenn ended up finishing with a managerial record of 160-118, and won the 1982 A.L. manager of the year award. Sure you could say that the Brewers just had great players that season. I can’t argue with that because they did. Legendary players such as Robin yount, Paul Molitor, Cecil Cooper, Gorman Thomas, and Ted Simmons were the main reasons why the Brewers won the pennant that year. But you can’t deny that they were going nowhere under Rodgers.

Example #2-2004 Houston Astros

Now the 2004 Houston Astros didn’t go to the World Series, but they did make a major turnaround, making the playoffs and advancing to the NLCS. They did get to the World Series the following season. Much of that can be contributed to a mid-season managerial change in 2004.

The Astros were 44-44 at the 2004 all-star break. Former Toronto, and Boston manager Jimmy Williams was subsequently fired after the Astro’s mediocre start. Phil Garner replaced Williams at the helm and turned the Astros into winners. Houston went 48-26 the rest of the season to qualify for the playoffs as a wild card. While the Astros did lose to the Cardinals that season in the NLCS, they beat those same Cardinals the following season in the NLCS, to advance to their only World Series in franchise history under Garner’s tenure. Although do note, that the Astros got off to a very slow start in 2005 as well, and after going 15-30, rebounded to make the playoffs as a wild card for the second year in a row, advancing all the way to the World Series that year. Houston was swept by the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 World Series.

Example #3- 2009 Colorado Rockies

I know, I know, I’m using former Dodger manager Jim Tracy as an example here. Probably not the best of examples, but the main theory still holds true. After an 18-28 start to the 2009 season, the Rockies fired manager Clint Hurdle, and hired Tracy. Hurdle had led the Rockies to their only World Series to date (2007), but after fading away in 2008, and getting off to a poor start in 2009, he was canned. In came Tracy, and the refreshed Rockies finished the 2009 season with a 74-42 record. That’s a .635 winning percentage the rest of the way. The Rockies were a pretty good team that year. They won 92 games, and won the Wild Card. Colorado lost in the Division series to the Phillies in four games. But, Tracy was recognized for his great turnaround with the N.L. Manager of the year award.

Can Mattingly turn this team around somehow?-Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

There you have it. There are three examples of mid-season managerial changes turning teams from perennial losers into winners, and even champions. Before you tar and feather me, I’m not saying Tracy was a great manager or anything. I’m not even saying any of these guys above were great managers. No, they’re not going into the hall of fame or anything. And yes I know managers don’t pitch, hit, or field.  I’m just providing examples of teams that benefited from a managerial change in the middle of the season. It can work, and has many times. So before you say that changing managers in the middle of a season never helped a team win, well you’re wrong. The proof is in the results I provided above. I could give you many many more examples of teams making total 180’s during a campaign because of a change at the manager position. Those are just three examples from the last 25 years or so.

If I could guess why changes in managers can help, I would say that they bring a fresh perspective and a new voice into the clubhouse. It can rejuvenate a team.  Again, losing can have a very unharmonious effect on a clubhouse. If left unchecked it can ruin a season. Sometimes making a change can give the team new energy in the clubhouse and on the field. Sometimes guys just aren’t working out and you have to make a change while the season is still worth saving. It happens.

I’m not saying the Dodgers should fire Mattingly right now. Believe me, they won’t. It’s way too early for that. But, time is running out. It’s already late May, and as Memorial Day approaches we have already played one quarter of the regular season. The Dodgers would have to win seven of their next eight games this month just to make it back to .500 before May 31. The Dodgers are on pace to have their worst May record in franchise history. The Dodgers are 5-16 so far against teams from the National League West.

I say give Mattingly three or four more weeks to right this ship. If he can’t do it then let’s get someone in who can before it’s too late. Any change before July 1 would still give the club enough time to turn the season around.

The truth is the Dodgers have gone nowhere since Mattingly took over in 2011. They have not made the playoffs, and have barely been competitive for one season, and you could argue they were only competitive for part of that season. Having this drama hanging over the team’s head isn’t good. The Dodgers have had enough black clouds hanging over their heads over the past several seasons.

So yes a change in manager can make a huge difference for a Major League Baseball team. There is no reason to throw a season away. If the Dodgers aren’t at least at the .500 mark by Mid June, then it’s time to make a change. The Dodgers have not been competitive at all this year. Dodger fans deserve better than another lost season. Mattingly has three weeks to turn this disaster around. Donnie Baseball better bring his A-game to the dance, or he may find himself without a partner.

Brewers 2 9 1

WP- Ryu (5-2)

LP- Peralta (3-5)

HR- Hernandez (1), Braun (9)

With rumors swirling of Don Mattingly‘s paper thin leash in the recent days, apparently the Dodgers are beginning to think out of desperation. Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times tweeted this on Wednesday morning pre-game:

#Dodgers have discussed calling up Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson, according to Don Mattingly.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) May 22, 2013

The entirety of the blame is seemingly being put on the players by Ned Colletti and Don Mattingly:

Andre Ethier is not hurt. Mattingly said he is sitting because he wants to field team that will compete the best.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) May 22, 2013

Andre Ethier was ejected during yesterday’s game after arguing then staring down the home plate umpire. Mattingly has been sitting Ethier more often in recent days. Although Ethier did have a great game the other day hitting a triple and a homerun. Ethier’s discontent is a common occurrence over the years, and he’s sometimes gets in a tizzy fit. Yet that’s one of the reasons that I like him. He gets fired up, and he would be one of the first players to show the signs of frustration within the team which may be more rampant than we think.

Don Mattingly’s job is in jeopardy, but he’s blaming the players and specifically Andre Ethier. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This series finale is probably one of Don Mattingly’s most important games in his career.

Wily Peralta will do his best to clinch the series for the Brewers Wednesday morning at Miller Park. Carl Crawford swings the first pitch and singles into left field. With Mark Ellis at the plate, Crawford steals his ninth base of the season. Crawford takes third on a groundout by MEllis. Adrian Gonzalez lines out softly to Rickie Weeks at second. Matt Kemp‘s long single to right field cashes in Crawford! 1-0 Dodgers. Scott Van Slyke, who is in instead of Ethier, grounds out to short to end the first frame.

Hyun-jin Ryu takes the mound for the Dodgers in the home half of the first. The annoying lead-off man Norichika Aoki slaps a single down the third base line. Jean Segura hits in to a force out. Ryu throws two straight breaking balls which miss, and Ryan Braun is aboard with a walk. Ryu escapes the jam after Jonathan Lucre hits into an inning ending 4-5-3 double play. Nice turn by Nick Punto.

The Dodgers bring up 11 batters in the second inning, and they plate five runs off a struggling Wiley Peralta. Nick Punto leads off with a

Hyun-jin Ryu picks up his fifth win after going deep into the game for the Dodgers. Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

single to left, Uribe singles, and then the rarest of rares occurs… Ramon Hernandez singles off Peralta’s glove for the third consecutive Dodger single! With the bases loaded, Ryu strikes out. The Brewers then proceed to make two big defensive blunders. Crawford singles past Rickie Weeks who makes a bumbled play. Two runs score as the ball goes into right field. Mark Ellis follows with yet another single to load up the bases again. Gonzalez reaches on an error by Jean Segura. Hernandez scores on the play and brings in the Dodgers third run of the inning. Matt Kemp strikes out swinging. Scott Van Slyke has a good at bat, and Peralta walks him to bring in the fourth Dodger run of the inning. Nick Punto is also walked by Peralta to bring in another run! That’s going to be all for Peralta. Alfredo Figaro comes in to get the last out, and he quickly induces a fly out from Uribe to end the inning.

Wiley Peralta only made it through 1 2/3 innings allowing 6 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks on 55 pitches.

In the bottom of the second, the Brewers runs themselves right out of the inning. They start with consecutive singles from Carlos Gomez and Yuniesky Betancourt. Gomez gets greedy, and he tries to take third on the Betancourt single. Matt Kemp guns the ball to third base to throw him out! Matt Kemp’s throw was a beauty. Weeks and Jeff Bianchi both ground out to end the inning.

Wiley Peralta couldn’t make it out of the second inning after allowing 6 runs. Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Ramon Hernandez leads off the third with a solo homerun to right field! That’s his first homerun as a Dodgers and his first of the season. The Dodgers take a commanding 7-0 lead. Ryu strikes out, and Crawford and MEllis both are retired thereafter by Figaro.

Figaro will bat in the bottom of the third. Ryu strikes him out looking. Nick Punto bobbles a grounder hit by Aoki to draw an error. Ryu strikes out Segura. Braun ends the inning with a ground out to second.

Scott Van Slyke doubles off the left field wall with two outs in the fourth against Alfredo Figaro, but Matt Kemp strikes out and Gonzo and Punto ground out.

Nick Punto makes a fine play at short in the bottom of the fourth. He dives to stop a grounder hit by Lucroy, and he throws him out from his knees. Carlos Gomez and Weeks strike out, and that’s Ryu’s third and fourth whiff of the game.

Ramon Hernandez is now 2-for-2 with a single, homerun, and a walk in the top of the fifth. Carl Crawford also draws a walk to put two runners on with 2 outs against Figaro. Mark Ellis strikes out to end the inning. Figaro made 60 pitches over 3 1/3 innings and allowed one run-the homerun to Hernandez.

The Brewers run themselves out of another inning in the bottom of the fifth. Pinch-hitter Alex Gonzalez singles with one out, but the Dodgers turn a 3-6-3 double play on a groundball by Aoki to trap Gonzalez into a pickle between second and first.

Burke Badenhop will come out of the Milwaukee pen for the top of the sixth. Ryan Braun robs Adrian Gonzalez of a sure homerun as he makes a leaping catch over the scoreboard. Matt Kemp singles to shallow center field after a trio of Brewers are unable to catch it. The ball drops in between them. Van Slyke hits into an inning ending double play.

The Brewers get on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Ryan Braun hits a solo shot to center field. It’s now 7-1.

Badenhop walks Hernandez in the seventh with two outs. The back-up catcher has walked twice in the game. Ryu, who is still in the game, flies out to left to end the inning.

Hyun-jin Ryu pitches a very nice 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh.

Francisco Rodriguez will pitch the eighth for the Brew Crew, and he sends the Dodgers down in order.

Ryu is back out for the bottom of the eighth. Martin Maldonado quickly flies out on one pitch. Aoki singles on a ball which bounces off Uribe’s glove. That’s going to be all for Ryu. The lefty  went 7 1/3 innings  while allowing 1 run on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks on 108 pitches. Ronald Belisario will comes in to relieve Ryu. Segura promptly singles off Belisario, and Aoki moves over to second. They manage to get Braun to hit into a force out. Punto makes a nice play to get Segura out at second. Lucroy singles to right field, and Aoki brings in the second Milwaukee run of the game. Beli rears back to strike out Gomez for the big third out.

Can Mattingly save his job? Or is he a lame duck? Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Kintzler will pitch the ninth for Milwaukee. Matt Kemp leads off with a walk, and he steals his seventh base of the year with Scott Van Slyke batting. SVS doubles (his second double of the game) to left field, and Matt Kemp brings in the eighth Dodger run. Nick Punto collects his second single. Uribe hits into a double play, but Van Slyke scores on the play, 9-2.

Brandon League will try to hold on to a seven run lead in the bottom of the ninth. Punto botches a play, and Weeks reaches on a single. Pinch-hitter makes the final out on Logan Schafer‘s ground out.

Thanks to Wiley Peralta’s awfulness and the Brewers bad defense, Donnie’s “competitive” lineup gets the win. The Dodgers take the season series against the Brewers 4-2. Will this extend Mattingly’s season as Dodgers skipper? Or is it too little too late? Beating the Brewers is no great feat.

The Dodgers improve to 19-26, and they head back to L.A. to host a tough St. Louis team for a three-game series this weekend. The road trip saw them win two games while losing four. Chris Capuano will counter Lance Lynn Friday at 7:10 p.m.