When the NY Yankees were searching for a replacement for Joe Torre after the 2007 season, the choice was ultimately between Don Mattingly and Joe Girardi. It's probable that there was never really a field of candidates any larger than the two former Yankee first basemen, however in the end Mattingly and Girardi were the two most talked about and truly viable candidates.
Fast forward several years and it now turns out that both of these men are managing at the big league level, Mattingly having taken over for Joe Torre in Los Angeles and Girardi, of course, managing in New York with the 2009 title already in hand.
While it is impossible to know what the Yankees would have accomplished with Mattingly at the helm, it can be said with certainty that each of these managers have earned a modicum of respect within the sport. Girardi, with his 2009 ring, three postseason appearances and 2 Division titles, has essentially accomplished what was expected of him when he took over the reig...
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