The Dodger managerial career of Walter Alston began when he was hired in the 1953-54 offseason on the first of 23 one-year contracts to replace Charlie Dressen, who had legendarily requested a multiyear deal after winning the National League pennant with 105 victories but was then shown the door.

Judging by tweets from today’s (by numerous accounts) tensely uncomfortable Dodger press conference involving Don Mattingly and Ned Colletti, Mattingly was unhappy that it was so easy to view him as a lame duck and is testing the same path.

Put another way, Mattingly may have decided to sacrifice his current managerial job to move his future to the next base.

Don Mattingly said his 2014 option vested when the Dodgers beat Atlanta, but "it doesn't mean I'll be back" — Eric Stephen (@truebluela) October 21, 2013

Mattingly: "I love it here, but I don't want to be anywhere I'm not wanted." — Eric Stephen (@truebluela) October 21, 2013

However, Mattingly wouldn't say he would be back for sure. Didn't like being a lame duck this year. — Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) October 21, 2013

MUST watch video of #Colletti and #Mattingly talking about his future. Awkward but you can't look away #dodgers http://t.co/1YpHTXiL9a — jill painter (@jillpainter) October 21, 2013

Third-base coach Tim Wallach, by the way, is considered a top MLB managerial candidate by several observers. So aside from looking outside the organization, there remains at least one in-house alternative, should Mattingly and the Dodgers part ways.