Philly’s New Leadership: Mattingly Takes Over

Rob Thomson’s exit has paved the way for Don Mattingly to step in as the interim manager for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Thomson was let go on Tuesday, following a rough start to the season with a 9-19 record, placing the team at the bottom of the National League East. He had taken over for Joe Girardi during the previous season and led the team to a pennant in 2022.

Mattingly, known for his extensive playing career, including six All-Star selections with the Yankees, will now guide the team for the rest of the season. He previously managed the Dodgers and Marlins, where he accumulated significant experience.

Before joining the Phillies, Mattingly spent three years as the bench coach for the Blue Jays and transitioned to Philadelphia in the same role, where his son Preston serves as the general manager. This makes them the first father-son duo in MLB history in these positions.

Interestingly, Mattingly took the helm after former Red Sox captain Alex Cora declined an offer from Phillies president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski.

In a pre-game press conference, Mattingly noted, “I think we had multiple issues. It’s not just about hitting. We need to play better baseball. We’re 9-19 because we’re simply not good enough right now.”

During his managing years, Mattingly achieved a 446-363 regular-season record with the Dodgers from 2013 to 2015, which included three straight seasons of 90 or more wins and a National League West title. He also earned the National League Manager of the Year Award in 2020 when he led the Marlins to their first playoff appearance since 2003.

In embarking on this new journey, Mattingly’s recent departure from the Blue Jays—after a heartbreaking World Series loss—has him thinking about his balance between family life and his passion for the game. He mentioned, “I never want to go on tour… but you never know how you’re going to feel in a month,” highlighting the ongoing struggle to maintain harmony in both realms.

The Phillies are faced with a formidable challenge as they gear up to improve their performance, currently ranked 29th in MLB for OPS and 28th in ERA.