Don Mattingly: From "I’m Done" to Phillies Boss and All-Star Coach

Published: Jul 13, 2026, 06:08 PM ET
Location: Philadelphia

A Weird But Happy Return to the All-Star Game

Imagine you used to help coach one team, then you quit to spend time with family, and now you’re asked to help coach a different team in a big fancy match. That’s what happened to Don Mattingly.

Don is a baseball coach. Recently, he was offered a chance to be a coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager (the head boss of the team) Dave Roberts at the All-Star Game. The All-Star Game is like a special playdate where the best players from different teams meet to play together for fun and show off.

Don felt a little awkward because:

• He had turned down a sure spot to coach for the American League (one group of teams) after he left his job as the bench coach (think of him as the assistant manager who sits on the bench) for the Toronto Blue Jays.
• He left Toronto after they lost the World Series (the super big final contest to decide the champion) to the Dodgers in seven games.
• He used to be an All-Star player himself six times in the American League.

At that time, Don thought he was completely finished with baseball. But guess what? He’s not only still playing a role, he’s now the interim manager (temporary head coach) for the Philadelphia Phillies! And he’s got them doing great again, fighting for a spot in the playoffs (the end-of-year tournament).

He will coach against his old friend John Schneider (Toronto’s manager) and the Blue Jays staff at Tuesday’s All-Star Game, which is being held in Philadelphia’s home stadium called Citizens Bank Park.

Important Point: Don said on Monday: "It is weird being on the other side. I was kind of torn a little bit. But then I go home and my 11-year-old asked me, ‘Do we get to go on the field for Home Run Derby?’ It’s like, OK, well, I’m done with that. He made that decision." (Home Run Derby is a fun event where players try to hit the ball super far!)

How Don Ended Up in Philadelphia

It’s like a family reunion! Don is taking directions from his own sons in Philadelphia.

Here’s the simple step-by-step story:

1. Don originally took a job with the Phillies to be the bench coach for then-manager Rob Thomson.
2. His young son Louis pushed him to do it, saying: "Dad, you can’t stop. You’ve got to keep going." (Don shared this back in January.)
3. Don joined the Phillies organization where his other son, Preston, is the general manager (the person who builds the team, like a principal of a school).
4. Don had left Toronto in November after reaching his first World Series because he wanted more family time. Now he’s got family all around!

Blue Jays player Ernie Clement (an All-Star second baseman, which is a defensive position) said Don was missed in Toronto. "It’s awesome that he teamed up with Preston," Clement said. "They’re just doing a great job."

The Phillies’ Big Turnaround

Things were rough for the Phillies earlier this year. Let’s look at what happened:

• Former manager Rob Thomson was fired in late April.
• The team had lost 11 out of their last 12 games and were tied for last place in all of baseball.
• Don stepped in as the interim manager.

Since then, the team has been on fire! Here are the numbers:

• Don’s record with the Phillies: 45 wins and 24 losses (that means they won 45 times and lost 24).
• They are led by their star players (All-Stars) like:
  • Bryce Harper
  • Kyle Schwarber
  • Brandon Marsh
  • Jhoan Duran
  • Jesus Luzardo
  • Cristopher Sanchez (who is the National League starting pitcher, meaning he throws the first pitches)
• The Phillies are just two games behind Atlanta in their division (a group of teams they compete with). That’s called the NL East.

Key Point: Don has said he’d like to drop the "interim" (temporary) label and maybe stay as manager next season. But on Monday he said he wants to wait until the offseason (the time when no games are played) to talk about it.

Don Mattingly’s Long Baseball Life

Don isn’t new to this game. He’s been around forever!

• He is in his 23rd straight season as a big-league manager or coach.
• He previously managed the Dodgers and the Miami Marlins.
• Before coaching, he played baseball for 14 seasons as a first baseman (the player who stands near first base, like a goalie for that spot) for the New York Yankees from 1982 to 1995.
• He was the 1985 American League MVP (Most Valuable Player – the best player that year!).
• He was the captain of the Yankees for his last five seasons.
• He didn’t reach the playoffs (the special end-of-year games) until 1995, where he hit really well: .417 batting average (that means he got a hit almost half the times he swung), with one home run and six runs batted in (helping teammates score) in a five-game loss to Seattle.

Now 65 years old, Don says he feels "as grateful as can be" for his career, even if he never wins a World Series ring (a special jewelry piece given to champions).

Don’s Wise Words: "I’ve been in this game for a long time. I’ve done a lot of tremendous things for my family. I don’t feel unlucky at all."

Summary

Don Mattingly thought he was done with baseball after leaving Toronto to be with family. But his sons convinced him to join the Philadelphia Phillies, where one son is the GM. He became the interim manager after a bad start to the season, and now the Phillies are winning and close to the top of their division. He’s also coaching at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia, facing his old Toronto pals. With a long history as a player and coach, Don is happy and thankful, no matter what happens next.

FAQ (ELI5 Style)

1. What is an "interim manager"?
An interim manager is like a substitute teacher for a baseball team. They take charge for a while until the team decides if they want to keep them or hire someone new.

2. What is the All-Star Game?
It’s a special baseball picnic where the best players from different teams play together in a friendly match. Fans vote for who they want to see. This year it’s in Philadelphia.

3. Why did Don leave Toronto if he liked it there?
He went to the World Series (the big final) with Toronto but then decided he wanted to spend more time with his family. Later, his sons got him back into the game in Philadelphia.

4. What does "two games back" mean?
Imagine a race where Atlanta is ahead by two steps. The Phillies are two wins away from being tied with them for the lead in their group.

5. Did Don ever win a World Series as a player?
No, he never got a ring as a player or coach yet, but he’s still super happy about his long career helping his family and the sport.