The Phillies walked out of Truist Park with their season over and Don Mattingly’s future still sitting in the air. Atlanta’s 6-2 win in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday night ended Philadelphia’s run, while leaving the club’s manager decision for 2027 unresolved.
Mattingly, who took over on an interim basis during the spring, said the moment belonged to the players and the organization rather than his own job status.
“This isn’t the time for that conversation,” Mattingly said after the loss. “I’m not thinking about myself. The Phillies need to make the decisions that put them in the best position to succeed. My situation really isn’t the important part tonight.”
From a 9-19 start to a playoff berth
- Philadelphia opened the season 9-19 under Rob Thomson, prompting president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to make a change.
- Boston dismissed Alex Cora on April 25. Cora, who won the 2018 World Series with Dombrowski while both were with the Red Sox, called Dombrowski later that day.
- Dombrowski offered Cora the Phillies’ interim managerial post the next morning, roughly two days before Thomson was officially dismissed on April 28. Cora turned down the opportunity.
- Later on April 28, Dombrowski named Mattingly the interim manager and spoke highly of Cora’s standing in the game.
- Mattingly guided the Phillies to baseball’s fourth-best record from the time he replaced Thomson, though the club had to clinch the National League’s third Wild Card berth on the final day after a difficult September.
- The postseason lasted three games, ending with the Braves’ 6-2 victory in Atlanta.
Mattingly’s club won despite an offense that finished 19th in the majors with 713 runs and a relief corps that ranked 21st with a 4.43 ERA. His work is expected to draw some National League Manager of the Year support.
Cora remains the name around the decision
Dombrowski’s public praise of Cora in April added another layer to what comes next. At Mattingly’s introductory news conference, Dombrowski put Cora among the game’s elite managerial minds, saying he could one day belong in the company of Hall of Famers Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland if he continues managing.
With Cora available and Mattingly’s interim designation still in place, the expectation around the sport is that Dombrowski could again pursue his former Red Sox manager. Mattingly said he has not spoken with Dombrowski about whether he will retain the job.
“I haven’t spent time worrying about it,” Mattingly said. “I was focused on winning games and giving us the best chance to keep moving ahead.”
Players back their manager
Bryce Harper declined to weigh in on Mattingly’s standing, saying he did not want to address the question. Several teammates, however, made their feelings plain after the elimination loss.
- Aaron Nola said the clubhouse loves Mattingly.
- Kyle Schwarber credited Mattingly with helping the team recover after the upheaval of losing Thomson, who had led the Phillies into several meaningful games. Schwarber said Mattingly’s steady manner helped the club move beyond that difficult stretch.
- J.T. Realmuto called Mattingly “great” and reacted strongly when asked whether the manager had earned another season. Realmuto said the choice was not his, but added that the players enjoyed playing for Mattingly and viewed him as a strong manager.
Mattingly came to Philadelphia before the season on a two-year deal as bench coach, then moved into the manager’s office when Thomson was removed. He said he wants to stay in the game next year, whatever form that takes.
“I love baseball,” Mattingly said. “I’m comfortable with whatever decision they make. I enjoyed Philadelphia this year. It’s a demanding place to play, but it’s a good environment. The organization has to evaluate everything, discuss what it believes is best going forward, and that will shape a lot of things.”
