From the clubhouse, the pair walked into an elevator that would eventually take them to the Stadium Club, where the media were expecting a big announcement.

Mattingly rubbed his stomach and said, “Excitement.”

Mattingly and Torre sat in the Hollywood Room events suite, adjacent to the Stadium Club as reporters, cameramen and photographers waited for them. For a little while they sat alone, talked shop and watched as the Dodgers prepared on the field for that night’s game.

Torre, who owns the most wins in Major League postseason history and is fifth on the all-time wins list, said he felt like the Dodgers needed another voice.

“It’s a little easier to do this because I’m leaving them in good hands over here,” he said, looking at Mattingly.

Torre has had one of the most legendary managerial careers in baseball history, and what he did with the Dodgers added to that. He guided the team to back-to-back division titles in 2008 and 2009, the first time that had happened since 1977 and 1978. As the Dodgers struggled in 2010, he decided it was time to leave the job in someone else’s hands. Turning 70 years old was another sign.

“I managed a lot by instinct and I think this is a lot of instinct too that I’m making this decision,” said Torre.

Mattingly said he had mixed emotions about the day.

“For me, this is kind of double-edged,” said Mattingly. “Exciting that it’s something I’ve been aspiring to do and work for that opportunity, but also seeing Joe kind of going in a little different direction is tough.”

The pair has been coaching together since Mattingly joined the New York Yankee staff in 2004. Now it’s Mattingly’s time.

“Not yet,” he said when Torre referred to him as “skipper.”

During the news conference, Torre had a message for the Dodger fans.