By JAY COHEN, AP
NEW YORK — Don Mattingly has been making managerial moves with the New York Yankees for several seasons — in his head. "I've heard that experience thing come up a lot," he said, "but in my own mind I've been managing for the last four years, and to be honest with you, as a player you're playing along the whole time."
After four seasons as a coach, Mattingly was interviewed Tuesday to replace departed manager Joe Torre. Yankees broadcaster Joe Girardi interviewed a day earlier, and first base coach Tony Pena is due to speak with team officials Wednesday.
Mattingly was true to his humble Indiana roots, saying he spoke from the heart and just tried to be himself.
"It's an unbelievable opportunity for whoever gets it, and if it's me I'm looking forward to that challenge," said Mattingly, who met with owner George Steinbrenner and his sons Hank and Hal, and other team executives at the Yankees spring training facility in Tampa, Fla.
Mattingly is considered the leading candidate for the job. Hank Steinbrenner said Monday four or five people will be interviewed, but it's possible the candidates will be limited to the trio. Teams aren't allowed to announce moves during the World Series, but the Yankees could ask commissioner Bud Selig for permission if they'd like to name a successor on off-days Friday or next Tuesday.
The 46 — year — old Mattingly spent this season as bench coach following three years as hitting coach under Torre. He didn't back away from his relationship with the former manager but also highlighted some of his other influences.
"There's a lot of Joe Torre in me but there's also a lot of Billy Martin and Lou Piniella and whatever creates the personality inside of me that says we need to get this job done," said Mattingly, who acknowledged that he had his eyes on becoming manager since he joined the team as a coach.