The Philadelphia Phillies have solidified Don Mattingly as their manager, eliminating his interim status and securing him with a two-year contract despite a late-season stumble that nearly jeopardized their playoff chances.
Dave Dombrowski, the team’s president of baseball operations, made the announcement on Wednesday. Mattingly guided the team to a 79-55 record and a postseason berth after taking over from Canadian manager Rob Thomson, who was dismissed in late April. The Phillies came close to squandering a four-game lead for a wild card spot in the final week of the regular season before succumbing to Atlanta in a three-game series in the National League Wild Card round.
The decision to part ways with Thomson in April, who had steered the Phillies to four consecutive playoff appearances, including the 2022 World Series and back-to-back NL East titles, resulted in former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora declining offers from Dombrowski both when Thomson was let go and post-season, leading to the retention of Mattingly.
Mattingly, aged 65, joined the Phillies last offseason after departing the Toronto Blue Jays to serve as a bench coach, with one more year remaining on his contract. Given the looming possibility of an MLB work stoppage in December, Mattingly emerges as the reliable choice to lead a roster boasting talents like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and a formidable pitching rotation.
Dombrowski is yet to conduct his customary end-of-season press conference, but both he and Mattingly are scheduled to address the media on Thursday, following the Phillies’ playoff exit on October 1.
The Phillies’ struggles in September delayed their pitching matchups against Atlanta, as they only secured a playoff spot in Game 162. Although Philadelphia rallied with three late dramatic solo home runs to force Game 3 against Atlanta, they were ultimately ousted from the postseason for the fifth consecutive year, as they continue to chase their first World Series victory since 2008.
The core players of the Phillies, including Harper, Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola, have maintained a streak of five straight playoff appearances, averaging 91 wins per season during this period. However, they are yet to clinch a championship and have regressed each season since their 2022 World Series appearance, with this season’s wild card exit marking another setback.
Mattingly was among the three interim managers in the MLB last season, alongside Andy Green of the New York Mets and Chad Tracy of the Boston Red Sox, who also had their interim tags removed midseason.
A six-time American League all-star during his playing career with the New York Yankees, Mattingly is the father of Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly.
In a separate development, the Houston Astros have opted not to renew manager Joe Espada’s expiring contract. The decision was announced on Wednesday, along with the departure of several members of Espada’s coaching staff, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the month.
The Astros, despite battling numerous injuries, clinched the American League West with an 81-81 record and became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason with a non-winning record. They were subsequently swept by the Chicago White Sox in a two-game Wild Card Playoff series at home.
Following the managerial change, the Astros will now embark on a search for a new manager and general manager, following the dismissal of former general manager Dana Brown in August. Additionally, the Astros have also parted ways with several coaching staff members including catching instructor Tim Cossins, game planning coach Tommy Kawamura, third base coach Tony Perezchica, assistant hitting coach Anthony Iapoce, and assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz.
