Don Mattingly’s baseball story is very much to be continued.
Fresh off a World Series run as the Toronto Blue Jays’ bench coach, the former Yankees captain has officially left the organization — and is now in active talks with the Philadelphia Phillies about a high-profile role on Rob Thomson’s staff.
Mattingly Walks Away From Blue Jays — But Not From Baseball
On November 6 in New York,
Don Mattingly announced he will not return to the Blue Jays in 2026, ending a three-year stint as John Schneider’s bench coach.
In a statement through Mattingly Charities, he:
- Thanked Blue Jays president & CEO Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins for the opportunity.
- Praised working alongside Schneider and called the 2025 division-winning, World Series-reaching team “one of the best teams he’d ever been around.”
- Made it clear
this is not retirement — he wants to remain in the game, even if he’s “unsure of his immediate baseball future.”
Mattingly was in New York to accept the prestigious
Rawlings “Heart of Gold” Award on behalf of Mattingly Charities at the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, recognizing his philanthropic work.
Phillies and Mattingly: Mutual Interest in Bench Coach Role
It didn’t take long for a new suitor to emerge.
According to multiple reports,
the Philadelphia Phillies and Don Mattingly have “mutual interest” in him becoming their next bench coach.
- Phillies Nation reports the club has had
ongoing discussions with Mattingly about the job during the Winter Meetings.
- MLB.com confirms that
the Phillies are talking to Mattingly regarding the bench coach position, which would place him as Rob Thomson’s top lieutenant in the dugout.
The Phillies have an opening after shuffling their coaching staff, and adding a former Manager of the Year with deep postseason experience would be a significant statement of intent.
Why Mattingly Makes Sense in Philadelphia
On paper, Mattingly fits Philadelphia almost too well.
- He’s a
former National League Manager of the Year and has managed big-market, high-expectation clubs in both Los Angeles (Dodgers) and Miami (Marlins).
- With Toronto, he just helped guide a club to a
division title and a World Series appearance in 2025 as bench coach.
- He has a long-standing reputation as a
player’s manager with strong communication skills and calm, steady leadership — the kind of presence that tends to thrive in intense sports cities like Philly.
For the Phillies, who are firmly in their win-now window, a seasoned bench coach is more than a luxury. It’s a competitive edge.
What This Means for Mattingly’s Legacy
Mattingly’s post-playing career has already been remarkably rich:
-
Beloved Yankees captain and MVP candidate in the 1980s.
-
Managerial stops with the Dodgers and Marlins, including multiple postseason trips.
- A
recent rebirth as a top-tier bench coach with the Blue Jays, culminating in a World Series run.
- Ongoing, high-profile philanthropic work through
Mattingly Charities, now honored with the Rawlings “Heart of Gold” Award.
If he joins Philadelphia:
- He steps into yet another
high-pressure, big-market environment.
- He positions himself once again on the short list of candidates whenever future managerial openings arise around the league.
- He continues to reinforce an image not just as a baseball lifer, but as a leader players trust.
What to Watch Next
Over the coming days and weeks, keep an eye on:
-
Official announcement from the Phillies confirming whether Mattingly takes the bench coach role.
- Any comments from Rob Thomson or Dave Dombrowski on why they targeted Mattingly.
- How Mattingly balances his
on-field role with his growing
charitable footprint, especially after receiving national recognition from Rawlings.
For now, one thing is clear:
Don Mattingly is not done shaping MLB clubhouses. His Blue Jays chapter is closed, but his next act — potentially in Philadelphia — might be one of the most fascinating yet.
Sources
1. Don Mattingly Announcement
2. Phillies, Don Mattingly have ‘mutual interest’ for bench coach job
3. Phillies talking to Mattingly about being bench coach
