Dodgers Fire Bench Coach Hillman, Test Further Tension With Mattingly
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Dodgers are chancing further tension with manager Don Mattingly after firing the team's bench coach, and close friend of Mattingly, Trey Hillman.
Hillman gave a phone interview with ESPN Los Angeles in which he confirmed that he had been fired, continuing a week of unexpectedly swift and dramatic moves by the club.
Mattingly, clearly upset about his contract situation, took part in a press conference on Monday in which he pressured General Manager Ned Colletti to offer him a multi-year contract to remain in Los Angeles. During the uncomfortable conference, in which the tension was visible between Mattingly and Colletti, the manager, who led the Dodgers to within two wins of their first National League pennant since 1988, claimed that he had wanted his entire coaching staff to return in 2014.
That will not be the case.
In addition to HIllman's firing, the club also cut ties with advance scout Wade Taylor on the same day head trainer Sue Falsone resigned.
Hillman spent three season's as Mattingly's bench coach, and the club has yet to see whether the former Yankees star will return to the Dodgers in 2014.
