Philadelphia, United States
News Desk | Sports
Don Mattingly has agreed to a multi-year contract to become the Philadelphia Phillies bench coach, the team announced Monday, ending his tenure in Toronto following the Blue Jays’ World Series appearance. The 64-year-old, who previously served under manager John Schneider, said the move was influenced by conversations with his family. Mattingly will work under manager Rob Thomson and alongside his son, Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly. The hiring positions Philadelphia to add a veteran coach with 22 seasons of managerial and coaching experience as the club pursues a championship in 2026.
Don Mattingly is leaving the Blue Jays after his contract expired, stepping away from his role as bench coach, according to a report from the New York Post. The departure came after Toronto reached Game 7 of the World Series, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking Mattingly’s first appearance in the Fall Classic during a 39-year professional career as a player and coach.Â
The Phillies confirmed the hire on Monday, stating Don Mattingly will serve as bench coach under Rob Thomson. Mattingly had previously indicated 2025 would be his final season in baseball before reversing course during Toronto’s postseason run. He credited discussions with his 11-year-old son Louis for changing his decision, saying Louis told him, “Dad, you can’t stop. You’ve got to keep going.”Â
Don Mattingly said his role in Toronto was complete after helping Schneider, a first-time manager, transition into the job. He spent the 2024 season as Toronto’s offensive coordinator before returning to a “more traditional” bench coach role, according to Blue Jays general manager Ross Shapiro.Â
The former American League MVP in 1985 and longtime New York Yankees first baseman has spent 22 consecutive seasons as a major league manager or coach, including stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. With Philadelphia, Don Mattingly joins a staff led by Thomson, whom he played alongside with the Yankees, and will work within a front office headed by his son Preston.Â
Don Mattingly was named on six of 12 ballots by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee and was not elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the 2026 class, the committee announced. His next eligibility through the committee will be for the 2029 class.Â
The Phillies have not announced when Mattingly will formally join the club for offseason activities. The team finished as National League East champions in 2025, the organization said.
