Don Mattingly stepped down as the Dodgers' hitting coach Tuesday, resulting in former major league outfielder Mike Easler's becoming the fourth man to hold the position in the last eight months.
The unexpected move came only 23 days before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training in Vero Beach, Fla.
Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, said that because of family issues, the former All-Star determined that he had to spend more time at his home in Evansville, Ind., something he'll be able to do in his new Dodgers role as a major league special assignment coach. Schulte asked that Mattingly's privacy be respected.
"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 statement released by the team. "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."
Mattingly, 46, was one of two coaches to follow Manager Joe Torre from the New York Yankees, the other being third base coach Larry Bowa.
When Torre was hired by the Dodgers, General Manager Ned Colletti said he would like him to groom his replacement, leading to speculation that the club viewed Mattingly as its next manager.
The former Yankees first baseman has been open about his desire to manage in the big leagues one day and doing so remains his goal, Schulte said.
Whether Mattingly could return to being the hitting coach in 2009 remains uncertain.
"We're open-minded to it," Colletti said. "We'll see how it goes. I can't predict the future for Donnie."
Mattingly, whose son Preston is an infielder in the Dodgers organization, spent four years coaching under Torre in New York, serving what was widely assumed to be an apprenticeship to succeed Torre. Mattingly was a finalist for the Yankees job this winter, but lost out to Joe Girardi.
Mattingly said at the time, "I want to take the steps to get to where I want to go."
He appeared to be doing so with the Dodgers, attending the winter meetings and dropping by the team's mini-camp at Dodger Stadium this month.
Colletti said that he was surprised when Mattingly told him and Torre a week and a half ago that he couldn't fulfill his commitment.
"You're disappointed when anybody has to go through any kind of issue," Colletti said.
