> At a Glance
> – Don Mattingly joins the Phillies as bench coach, reuniting with Rob Thomson and Kevin Long
> – Brings 1,827 games of MLB managerial experience with Dodgers and Marlins
> – Son Preston Mattingly is Phillies general manager
> – Why it matters: Philadelphia adds a seasoned voice to aid postseason push after four straight playoff exits without a title
The Phillies have filled their bench coach vacancy with one of baseball’s most experienced skippers, announcing Monday the hiring of Don Mattingly to manager Rob Thomson’s staff.
The Move
Philadelphia created the opening by shifting former bench coach Mike Calitli into a newly created field-coordinator role after the season. Front-office officials said they wanted a veteran with dugout-command experience; Mattingly, 64, checks that box after 13 years running the Dodgers (2010-15) and Marlins (2016-22).
> President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski explained the rationale:
> “Managers use bench coaches in different fashions during a game. I think it would be ideal to have somebody that has had some managerial experience.”
Reunion Tour
The hiring weaves together several threads from the Yankees organization:
- Thomson, Mattingly and hitting coach Kevin Long all overlapped with New York in 2007
- Mattingly served as Yankees bench coach that season
- Long was in his first year as Bombers hitting coach
Mattingly also teams up with his son, Preston, who became Phillies general manager in 2022.
Résumé Snapshot
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| MLB managing seasons | 13 |
| Games managed | 1,827 |
| Manager of the Year | 2020 |
Before the dugout, the left-handed first baseman piled up hardware:
- 1985 AL MVP
- Six-time All-Star
- Nine Gold Glove Awards
- Career .307 average, 2,153 hits, 222 HR-all with Yankees
Recent Path
Mattingly spent the past three seasons as Toronto Blue Jays bench coach after leaving Miami. Despite 43 years in the majors as player and coach, a World Series ring has eluded him-matching the Phillies’ current four-year postseason window without a championship.
Key Takeaways
- Phillies prioritize postseason experience in reshuffled coaching staff
- Mattingly’s 1,827 games managed rank among active leaders
- Family ties strengthen Phillies front-office-to-field link
- Club seeks first World Series title since 2008
Mattingly is scheduled to meet with reporters at 11:30 a.m. Monday as the Phillies look to convert October appearances into November parades.
