There now appears to be a line of succession in the Yankees clubhouse:

Guessing Joe Torre's successor has long been a parlor game for Yankees fans. But never in Torre's 11 years as Yankees manager has a plan for succession seemed as clear as it does now.

Don Mattingly learned yesterday he will replace Lee Mazzilli as bench coach, several people familiar with the situation said, moving him one important step closer to the manager's seat.

So Don is now Prince of Wales?

PENELOPE: (Flirting vigorously) Do you know you look like the Prince of Wales.

CHICO: Better.

PENELOPE: In fact you have a very distinguishé appearance.

CHICO: Him I no got.

PENELOPE: Tell me. What are you doing tonight?

CHICO: You got idea?

PENELOPE: Don't you dare come to room three hundred and twenty at eleven o'clock.

CHICO: All right. I'll be there at ten-thirty.

(Both exit. PENELOPE and HARPO enter)

PENELOPE: Did anyone ever tell you that you look like the Prince of Wales? (Business) Tell me, do you know who I am? (Business) Do you know where my room is? (Business) Well, I'll be there about eleven o'clock, but of course that would not interest you.

(Business. They exit. GROUCHO and MRS. POTTER enter)

GROUCHO: Did anyone ever tell you that you look like the Prince of Wales? Of course, I don't mean this Prince of Wales. One of the old Wales. And believe me when I say Wales, I mean Wales. I know a whale when I see one.

I don't know how good a manager Don Mattingly might or might not be. But it's not like other clubs in need of a skipper are going out of their way to interview him. My guess is that when Torre leaves, the Yankees will interview four or five candidates like everyone else. Mattingly might have a leg up, but that doesn't mean he'll get the job.