Mattingly put his stamp on Alaska baseball when he formed the Bucs, then known as the Cook Inlet Bucs, a men's adult league team in Anchorage. They soon became members of the Alaska Baseball League where they still call home.
Mattingly has twice battled Multiple Myeloma, an incurable form of bone cancer and underwent a stem cell transplant in 2008.
"When it stops being fun, it's time to move on," says Mattingly. "It's become more work than fun. A lot of that has to do with my health."
Maltby is working on his second ABL title as Oilers General Manager. He didn't speak of any internal strife, and simply wants a change of scenery.
"I do have a challenge in Anchorage, obviously it's a different market than Kenai," said Maltby. "I've got my hands full, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity."
On the field Tuesday night, The Bucs surrendered a 4-0 lead and lost the AIA Fire, 7-6. Ryan Palermo smacked a third inning grand slam for the Bucs' only offense of the night. The Fire rallied to lead with a seven-run sixth inning.
Maltby's Oilers also lost a 5-2 decision to the Mat-Su Miners. The Oilers still lead the Bucs by three and a half games for the ABL lead with five games to play.
