Don Mattingly leaving Toronto Blue Jays after World Series heartbreak

Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post report that the 64-year old baseball lifer is stepping from his post with the Toronto Blue Jays, for whom he has been the bench coach for the last three seasons.

Mattingly - affectionately known as Donnie Baseball - is not planning to retire, and says he still feels energized following his first World Series appearance after nearly four decades in baseball.

While Mattingly hasn't commented on his reason, there is speculation that he may be in line for one of the two managerial positions still available. Both the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres have yet to hire a new skipper.

Mattingly spent five seasons as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and seven with the Miami Marlins before taking up his position with the Blue Jays.

Prior to that, he was a coach for his old team the New York Yankees, and then followed manager Joe Torre to L.A., eventually succeeding him in 2011.

While the Blue Jays' front office has yet to comment on Mattingly's reported departure, both President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins are expected to meet with the media later on Thursday.

It is unknown whether the Jays will look to replace Mattingly, but they currently have DeMarlo Hale as associate manager, and was already partially fulfilling Mattingly's role.