The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Monday that Don Mattingly has been hired as the club’s new bench coach, joining manager Rob Thomson’s staff. Team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski had previously confirmed that discussions with Mattingly were underway regarding the opening. The move comes after last season’s bench coach, Mike Calitri, transitioned into a new role as the Phillies’ major league field coordinator. Mattingly, who spent the last three years with the Toronto Blue Jays, opted not to return for the 2026 season as he explored other opportunities.
Thomson expressed enthusiasm about the hire in an official team statement, noting his long-standing relationship with Mattingly and their shared history in the Yankees organization. He praised Mattingly’s deep baseball knowledge and strong character, describing him as a valuable addition to an already accomplished coaching staff.
Mattingly’s arrival also places him within an organization where his son, Preston Mattingly, serves as the club’s general manager. While Preston is not the ultimate authority in baseball operations a role still held by Dombrowski he plays a significant part in the front office. His path with the Phillies includes prior stints as director of player development and assistant general manager before being promoted to his current position.
Although Thomson and Mattingly never served together on the Yankees’ major league coaching staff, their professional paths have crossed frequently. Thomson replaced Mattingly as the Yankees’ bench coach in 2008 after Mattingly departed to become Joe Torre’s hitting coach with the Dodgers. Both men worked closely within the Yankees’ system earlier in their careers, collaborating in player development as Mattingly transitioned from minor league instructor to major league hitting coach in 2003.
Mattingly, now 64, brings extensive experience to Philadelphia. In addition to his coaching roles in New York and Los Angeles, he managed the Dodgers for five seasons and the Marlins for seven, before joining Toronto. With the Blue Jays, his responsibilities expanded to include the title of offensive coordinator, overseeing hitting instruction throughout the organization.
In Philadelphia, Mattingly will function as Thomson’s primary assistant. While there has been some uncertainty surrounding Thomson’s long-term future, the manager signed a one-year extension through the 2027 season following the 2025 campaign, ensuring at least two more years at the helm. Though Mattingly is slightly older than Thomson and not a conventional successor-in-waiting, his presence gives the Phillies a highly experienced option within the organization or, at the very least, adds another respected veteran voice to a seasoned coaching staff.
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