Jun 3, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays bench coach & offensive coordinator Don Mattingly (23) looks out from the dugout prior to the start of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports Nick Turchiaro
New Phillies bench coach Don Mattingly attempted to squash any thought that he's been brought in to be an eventual successor to Rob Thomson as manager during his introductory Zoom Monday.
Mattingly — who previously was the manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2011-2015) and Miami Marlins (2016-2022) — was asked point blank Monday if he has any desires to manage again.
"I don't," Mattingly said without hesitation. "The managing days for me ... I'm 64 getting ready to turn 65 ... I see the energy it takes to deal with the media twice a day ... to have the conversations with players ... you've got the front office, dealing with that aspect ... it just never really stops. I'm assuming Rob's phone is ringing when he's at home during the offseason. It never really stops.
"And I look at myself and say that I don't think I have the energy for that anymore," Mattingly continued. "It took me a little bit to make sure I was ready for this. When Dave calls and I think about it, at that point I'm exhausted from the season. It took a little bit to go, 'OK, I can do this. Alright, I'm ready to do it again.' And so, but the managing side for me, I feel like those days have passed me by, and so I don't have any aspirations to manage again."
Mattingly did previously indicate to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of The New York Post in November that he would be open to managerial jobs, although he acknowledged that the lone remaining one at the time of his amicable departure from the Toronto Blue Jays — the Colorado Rockies — was "probably not a good fit for me" — given how far that team is away from contention.
At the same time, the 64-year-old admitted then that he was unsure about wanting to commit to the travel schedule it takes to be part of an MLB staff, be it as a manager or bench coach. His 11-year-old son, Louie, helped to convince him to keep going, and it's possible that doing so as a bench coach — which comes with way fewer obligations outside of the game — is something of a compromise.
The Phillies don't publicly announce contractual terms for their coaching staff or front office members, but Mattingly seemed to indicate Monday that he's agreed to a two-year deal as bench coach.
"I have committed to a couple of years with Thoms, and then just go from there," Mattingly said. "I'm assuming that would be it for me. I've assumed that a few times already, but I'm assuming that would be it for me. But you never say never."
Thomson, 62, was recently given an extension that covers the 2027 season. After that, his future is uncertain as well.
One of the things that helped to make Mattingly such a perfect fit for Thomson's staff is that the two previously spent time on Joe Torre's staffs with the New York Yankees from 2004-2007.
"The years working with Thoms, I mean, unbelievable," Mattingly said. "It started off with Thomson running camp, and I was just kind of a first-year coach. It was so organized, and just being able to work alongside of Thomson, he helped me in the cage. And just having respect for the work ethic. Thoms is one of those guys, he's kind of done everything in the game. And you respect people that have worked their way through and done a lot of different jobs."
Thomson also spoke highly of his new bench coach, citing how valuable the perspective of a 14-year MLB veteran who won the 1985 AL MVP will be on his staff.
"It's interesting, because Dave [Dombrowski] and I have been talking about hiring a guy like Donnie with that type of pedigree," Thomson said. "Because as great as our staff is, we don't have that guy that's been a star in the big leagues. He should be in the Hall of Fame as far as I'm concerned.
"And I think, when it came to me that there was a possibility that Donnie was going to be available, I said, 'This is the perfect guy.' Because I know the integrity, I know the knowledge, I know how detailed he is. Plus, I think he's a great sounding board for our players and our stars, because he's been there and he's done all these things and the rest of us really can't answer to that.
"So this is a huge deal. I'm so excited to have Donnie. I'm so excited. It's just going to be a great addition to our staff.
