Mattingly Joins Phillies as Bench Coach
Philadelphia is set to be the next chapter for Don Mattingly, as he aims to continue in the footsteps of Yankees greats and chase that elusive World Series title.
Following a less-than-stellar performance as the Blue Jays’ bench coach in this year’s postseason, Mattingly will be taking on the same role with the Phillies, as the team has announced.
It turns out, the Phillies reached out to him back in November—reportedly, when his son Preston had just become the general manager. Now, just a couple of months later, the 64-year-old former manager of the Marlins and Dodgers is set to join Rob Thomson’s coaching staff as the team looks to make a return to the World Series for the first time since 2022.
Interestingly, even with a history in an organization that has claimed 27 championships, Mattingly has yet to secure a World Series ring. Although he had a shot with Toronto, they fell short after a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Dodgers.
Mattingly mentioned back in November that he anticipates 2025 may be his final season in Toronto. He hinted at the challenges of balancing family time with his passion for the game as he considers potential coaching opportunities down the line.
His stint with the Blue Jays lasted three seasons, with previous coaching roles in Miami and Los Angeles from 2016 to 2022 and 2011 to 2015, respectively.
Yet, before all that, Mattingly’s coaching journey began with the Yankees, where he spent three years as a hitting coach and four years as a bench coach. He played his entire 14-year career there, becoming a beloved figure in the franchise’s history.
As a player, Mattingly made it to six All-Star Games, snagged nine Gold Gloves, and was named the American League MVP in 1985 with a career batting average of .307 and an OPS of .830. Despite these accolades, he faced disappointment when he was recently denied for a 19th Hall of Fame nomination.
In a recent conversation, he expressed his thoughts about the Hall of Fame, saying, “If that doesn’t happen, it’s not going to change who I am or how I think about things.” He added, “There’s no bitterness there. But, of course, I hope I get that opportunity.”
