Don Mattingly has officially joined the Philadelphia Phillies. The team announced on Monday that Mattingly will serve as their new bench coach, a move anticipated following his exit from the Toronto Blue Jays. He takes over the role from Mike Calitri, who has transitioned to a Major League field coordinator position.
Mattingly spent last season with the Blue Jays, who brought him on board before the 2023 season. In his roles as bench coach and offensive coordinator, he played a key part in helping Toronto reach the 2025 World Series, where they were narrowly defeated by the Los Angeles in a 4-3 series. Prior to the season, Mattingly had indicated that this would likely be his final year with the Blue Jays.
“My role is to be another set of eyes and ears for manager Rob Thomson,” Mattingly told MLB.com. “I aim to help control the game and anticipate situations before they unfold. It gets hectic, especially when you’re focused on pitching, and things speed up during pinch-hitter scenarios. So, I try to stay ahead and ease his responsibilities.”
Mattingly also brings valuable executive experience, having led the to three straight National League West titles between 2011 and 2015, followed by seven years as the Miami Marlins’ manager. He guided the Marlins to the playoffs in 2020, ending a 17-year playoff drought for the team and earning the National League Manager of the Year award that same year.
Last season, the Phillies posted a strong 96-66 record, marking Rob Thomson’s third year at the helm and the team’s fourth consecutive playoff appearance. However, they fell to the 3-1 in the National Stadium series.
Fan Take: This hiring is a thrilling development for baseball fans as Mattingly’s wealth of coaching and managerial experience could add a strategic edge to the Phillies. His presence might be just what the team needs to push deeper into the postseason and challenge for a championship in the coming years.
