This past baseball off-season saw former Major Leaguer Don Mattingly leave the Toronto Blue Jays who were one win away from a winning a World Series Championship. A World Series Championship that has eluded Don all of his career, only for him to sign on to the Philadelphia Phillies coaching staff and team up with his son who is the team’s general manager.
A move that surprised a lot of people, but what does Don bring to the Phillies coaching staff? If you’re asking me, it’s the ability to connect with players on a more personal level and find that next detail. To win a championship that has not only eluded him his entire career, but the Phillies haven’t won a world series since 2008. Losing both of their last two attempts in 2009 and in 2022.
Don is also known in baseball circles as a superstar’s servant. Focusing on building team culture and overall player development. While Don is only a bench coach in the Phillies organization, he was NL Manager of the Year in 2020 while he was coaching the Los Angeles Dodgers. I believe he could be a driving force in Philadelphia’s potential October success this season.
