Don Mattingly had the longest managerial tenure in Miami Marlins history, holding the position from 2016-22. It seemed as though that would likely be his last opportunity to serve as an MLB skipper, but then a Philadelphia Phillies team with high expectations got off to a dreadful 9-19 start this season. That’s when they fired Rob Thomson and elevated Mattingly from his bench coach role to interim manager. Nearly two weeks after the Phillies were knocked out by the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card Series, they have decided to take off the interim label. signing him to a two-year contract that runs through the 2028 season.
Mattingly, 65, is second-oldest active manager in the league, trailing only Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers (67).
Certainly worth noting, the Phillies’ general manager is Mattingly’s son, Preston. Given that glaring conflict of interest, it’s safe to assume his boss, Dave Dombrowski, was the one who made the ultimate decision.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Dombrowski targeted Alex Cora as his manager twice—after Thomson was fired and again following the Phillies’ postseason elimination. Cora, who’s still being paid by his previous employer, the Boston Red Sox, has opted to sit out the 2027 season.