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Don Mattingly, Dodgers Decide To Go Separate Ways

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers and Don Mattingly have "mutually agreed" that Mattingly will not return to manage the club in 2016, team officials said Thursday.

Mattingly, who had managed the team for five years, agreed with the Dodgers to mutually part ways, the team announced in a statement released Thursday.

Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and General Manager Farhan Zaidi formally announced the decision at a news conference.

Los Angeles was 446-363 under Mattingly, finishing with a winning record in every season and winning the last three NL West titles. But the Dodgers have not reached the World Series since winning the title in 1988.

In a statement, Mattingly said, "I'm honored and proud to have had the opportunity to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers. I've enjoyed my experiences and relationships with the organization's staff and players throughout my eight years in L.A.

"After meeting with [Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, General Manager Farhan Zaidi and Senior Vice-President of Baseball Operations Josh Byrnes], we all felt that a fresh start would be good for both the organization and me.

CBS Sports baseball insider Jon Heyman told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO the blame for the Dodgers once again coming up short in the postseason doesn't fall entirely on Mattingly's shoulders.

"I don't think it was Mattingly's fault, I think they liked Don very much," said Heyman. "I just think that ultimately they decided that, long-term, they were probably gonna go in another direction, and that's it."

Last weekend, the Dodgers reportedly offered Mattingly - who has one year left on his contract - a contract extension, but he decided to move on because of uncertainty about the team's long-term commitment to him, according to an ESPN report.

The 54-year-old former Yankees star ranks sixth in wins among Dodgers managers.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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