Don Mattingly Leaves Dodgers Staff

· Steele: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-an-extraordinary-man-of-principle-and-conviction/">Man of Conviction | <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/hank-greenberg-could-relate-to-flood/">Greenberg Relates
· Moore: Flood's Peers Owe Him Apology
· Blackistone: <a href="http://kevin-blackistone.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-belongs-in-the-hall-of-fame/">Cooperstown Should Open Doors
· Fletcher: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-a-hero-to-todays-players-those-who-know-his-name/">Modern Players Know Little of Flood
· Stradley: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/for-curt-flood-antitrust-meant-exactly-that-at-supreme-court/">Antitrust Meant Just That

Don Mattingly was understandably disappointed when he wasn't appointed as Joe Torre's successor managing the Yankees, but right about now he might be glad the way things worked out.

He followed Torre to L.A. to become the Dodgers' hitting coach but stepped down today in order to deal with undisclosed family matters back home in Indiana. Instead, he'll serve the organization as a special assignment coach. From MLB.com:

"I'm very grateful that the Dodgers have allowed me to take care of these family matters and I hope that everyone can respect our privacy during this time," Mattingly said in a released statement. "I truly appreciate the support of all Dodger fans since joining the organization and I look forward to helping the team win in 2008 and beyond."

Mike Easler, originally tabbed as the hitting coach for Triple-A Las Vegas, will fill Mattingly's shoes in the majors, though the door is still open for Mattingly to return to Torre's staff in 2009. Had Mattingly taken the Yankees job, the decision to leave his post to attend to his family would have been much more difficult. As things currently stand, he can take care of business off the field this year, return to his job next year and still have his hat back in the ring for a managerial job somewhere by 2010.