The Philadelphia Phillies have removed the interim tag from Don Mattingly, signing him to a two-year contract through the 2028 season after he led the team to the playoffs.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
The Philadelphia Phillies have named Don Mattingly their full-time manager, removing his interim tag and signing him to a two-year deal that runs through the 2028 season. The announcement was made Wednesday by team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, following a season in which Mattingly guided the team from a poor start to a postseason appearance.
Mattingly took over as interim manager in late April after the Phillies fired Rob Thomson. At the time of the change, the team held a 9-19 record. Under Mattingly’s leadership, the Phillies improved to a 79-55 record for the remainder of the season, securing the National League’s third and final wild-card spot.
Despite the turnaround, the team faced challenges in the final weeks of the regular season. The Phillies nearly lost a four-game lead for a wild card spot and required a win in Game 162 to clinch a playoff berth. In the NL Wild Card Series, the Phillies were eliminated in three games by the Atlanta Braves. This marked the fifth consecutive year the Phillies were eliminated from the postseason, continuing a trend where the team has been eliminated earlier in the playoffs each year since reaching the 2022 World Series.
The decision to retain Mattingly came after the Phillies were rebuffed twice by former Red Sox manager Alex Cora. According to reports, Dombrowski approached Cora in April after firing Thomson and again after the season ended, but Cora declined the role both times. With Cora unavailable and an MLB work stoppage expected in December, Mattingly was viewed as a safe and familiar choice for a roster featuring Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber.
Mattingly, 65, was originally hired last offseason as a bench coach and had one year remaining on his contract. The new agreement extends his tenure through 2028. Mattingly previously managed the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins. As a player, he was a six-time AL All-Star with the New York Yankees.
Phillies star Bryce Harper commented on Mattingly’s qualifications prior to the All-Star Game, noting his experience in high-pressure environments. "The way he approaches it every day, obviously he’s a guy that’s done it at a high level," Harper said. "Gold Gloves. Silver Sluggers. Played in a very big market in New York. So, he understands what it takes."
Mattingly also expressed confidence in the team's potential when he took over the interim role. "I think one thing with experience, though, [is that] you have been through it," Mattingly said in July. "I did know, taking over, that we were 29 games into a 162-game season with a talented club that was gonna find its mark, and water reaches its level. I was pretty confident in that."
Dombrowski and Mattingly are scheduled to speak to the media on Thursday, October 15, to discuss the team's plans for the upcoming season.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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