Don Mattingly gives reasoning for departure from Toronto Blue Jays in interview
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/
The Toronto Blue Jays will look to defend their American League Championship crown in 2026 without bench coach Don Mattingly.
The team's bench coach confirmed to MLB.com's Elizabeth Muratore that he is leaving the team.
The New York Post's Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman were the first to report Mattingly's departure earlier in the day.
Mattingly, 64, joined the Blue Jays in November 2022 as the bench coach for first-time manager John Schneider.
"Kind of had a pretty good feeling that this was going to be my last year in Toronto," Mattingly said at a meet-and-greet for Gold Glovers at MLB's flagship store on Thursday afternoon. "And really, when I went to Toronto, when [general manager] Ross [Atkins] called me, I was thrilled. I had a great time there. The organization's been tremendous. The fans there are tremendous. It's been a great run. But I thought before the year started, that I felt like this was kind of the end with Toronto, and really nothing more than that. Just felt like it was the right time."
Mattingly, whose contract was up after the 2025 Fall Classic, could have opted to pursue a reunion with Toronto after the club's season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a Game 7 loss to the Dodgers.
There was also some speculation that he might retire after reaching the World Series for the first time in his career. Mattingly said he's not sure yet what his next step will be.
"I think the thing I wrestle with is trying to balance family with a 10-year-old, trying to balance that with still loving doing what I'm doing, and then balancing the road," he said. "I'm 64, I feel good, but the road kind of wears you down. If I talked about it right now, the last thing I want to do is be on the road, but you never know how you feel a month from now, or whatever."
As a player, Mattingly spent the entirety of his 14-year career with the New York Yankees.
A six-time All-Star first baseman, Mattingly batted .307 with 2,153 hits, 222 home runs, 1,099 runs batted in and an .830 OPS in 1,785 games from 1982 to 1995. Mattingly was named American League Most Valuable Player in 1985.
Earlier this week, Mattingly was named one of eight candidates on the Baseball Hall of Fame Contemporary Era Player Ballot with the results to be announced on Dec. 7.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 6 | 1057 ANSWERS Don Mattingly gives reasoning for departure from Toronto Blue Jays in interview Do you think Don Mattingly will retire or will he take a job with another team? | ||
