Theo Epstein, Don Mattingly and Guggenheim Baseball Management

Acknowledgment to Chicago Cubs Executive Theo Epstein and former Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly

To Epstein, for turning around the Cubs after years of futility (and to owner Tom Ricketts for giving him the time). Reminds me in a way of the precursor years of the Tribe (1994) and the Giants (2009): you could sense years of success were around the corner. I feel the same for the Cubs. Thumbs up to Cubs fans as well ... among the best in baseball.

To Mattingly, who, despite a weak bullpen and untimely key injuries, managed to win three consecutive division titles while keeping an immature Yasiel Puig from tearing the clubhouse apart. It seemed to me the Giants Bruce Bochy (with a healthy team) was always a few steps ahead of Mattingly when they went head-to-head, so as a Giants fan I am sad to see him go. Mattingly seems like a decent guy, by the way.

To Guggenheim Baseball Management (Dodger ownership group): I hear Manny Acta is available.