Ross Newhan :Don Mattingly is a big hit with the Dodgers

“I’m talking about a work path that’s simple and steady,” said Mattingly, the credibility of his 2,153 hits with the New York Yankees coming when many of his Dodgers students were still in grade school.

“Have a plan for every at-bat. Understand what the pitcher is trying to do to you and what you need to do to him.

“Manny would rather die than go to bat without a plan. He likes to say, ‘I’ll give the pitcher this much of the plate, but if he misses here, then he’s mine.’”

Energized by Ramirez, adapting to their hitting instructor’s concept, the Dodgers have become a confident juggernaut of sorts.

Donnie Baseball will be the next Dodgers manager once Joe Torre rides into the sunset.