Don Mattingly had multiple reasons for opting to join the Philadelphia Phillies coaching staff.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been active in retooling their MLB roster this offseason. But the addition hasn’t been limited just to the field. Last week, the team announced that they’d hired future Hall of Famer Don Mattingly to be the team’s bench coach for the 2026 season.
Mattinly is fresh off the same role with the Toronto Blue Jays and also has managerial experience as the skipper of the Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 64-year-old admitted that he was ready to call it a career and retire, so what lured Mattingly to join the Phillies’ staff?
I did think that [last year] was kind of, kind of it,” explained Mattingly.
“My youngest, Louis, just turned 11, was kind of like, ‘Dad, you can't stop. You gotta keep going…’ Then talking with Dave [Dombrowski] and having somebody that wants you and explained what he thought, I could bring to the table. And again, be part of, you know, obviously, this was a great club to start with.”
At this stage in Mattingly’s career, he obviously isn’t interested in being part of a rebuild, and that’s completely understandable. The Phillies are trying to win a World Series next season, and they believe Mattingly can help with that.
Jun 3, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Phillies Vice President and general manager Preston Mattingly talks with Toronto Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly (46) during batting practice before a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn ImagesPhiladelphia’s commitment to competing, along with Mattingly’s prior relationships with those already in the organization, contributed to Mattingly’s decision to join the Phillies, too.
“[Rob] Thompson, I worked with. K-Long, I worked with. Edward worked with him in Miami. So that was interesting, but it was nice to be wanted,” continued Mattignly.
The most notable prior relationship Mattingly has within the organization is with his son, Preston Mattingly, who is Philadelphia’s general manager.
“Obviously, the Preston factor to be able to work, you know, alongside your son, is something that, you know, since this thing started with him working in San Diego, he's been kind of telling me what to do or what we needed to do in Miami and then what we needed to do here or there. I think having that opportunity is interesting, being able to work alongside [Preston], said Mattingly.
Mattingly brings a wealth of knowledge as both a player and a coach. For a team in win-now mode, but still has some young pieces on the roster or on their way to being in the big-league picture, Mattingly is a perfect addition.