Mattingly The Skipper?

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.