Phillies Signal Don Mattingly to Two-12 months Contract, With His Son because the GM Who Signed Him

The Philadelphia Phillies introduced Wednesday that they’ve signed Don Mattingly to a two-year contract to handle the group by the 2028 season, ending a search that noticed their most popular candidate flip them down twice and concluding with a signing that’s believed to be the primary father-son manager-GM association in Major League Baseball historical past.

Mattingly, 65, served because the Phillies’ interim supervisor for many of the 2026 season after the membership fired Rob Thomson on April 28 with the group at 9-19. Under Mattingly, the Phillies went 79-55, completed 88-74 and clinched the ultimate National League Wild Card spot on the final day of the common season earlier than being eradicated by the Atlanta Braves in three video games.

The contract was accepted by common supervisor Preston Mattingly, Don’s son. Preston Mattingly, 39, has held the GM place since November 2024. When Don was elevated to interim supervisor in April, the group was believed to be the primary in MLB historical past with a father-son manager-GM mixture. Wednesday’s signing extends that association for 2 seasons.

Don Mattingly addressed the dynamic when he was named interim supervisor in April.

“We both want to win games,” he stated. “Preston’s here to win.”

The signing comes after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski twice didn’t safe former Boston Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora for the place. According to reporting by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Dombrowski first supplied Cora the job in April, shortly earlier than Thomson was dismissed. Cora declined. Dombrowski supplied the place to Cora once more this month following the Phillies’ postseason elimination. Cora declined a second time, saying he intends to take the 2027 season off.

Dombrowski acknowledged his curiosity in Cora publicly on the time of Thomson’s firing.

“I think Alex Cora is one of the finest managers in the game of baseball,” he stated on April 28.

As lately as two weeks in the past, Dombrowski stated there had been no dialog with Don Mattingly about his future with the group, including that he most popular to attend till the season concluded earlier than addressing the supervisor’s position.

Mattingly stated after the Wild Card elimination on October 1 that it was not the time to debate his future.

“I want the Phillies to do what they need to do to set themselves up for success,” he stated.

Players backed him publicly after the season ended.

“We love Don,” pitcher Aaron Nola stated. “He’s a great manager.”

Don Mattingly spent three seasons as bench coach with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier than becoming a member of Philadelphia in January as Thomson’s bench coach. He had beforehand managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011 to 2015 and the Miami Marlins from 2016 to 2022, compiling a profession managerial document of 968-1,005 throughout 13 seasons.