The Philadelphia Phillies are keeping Don Mattingly as their full-time manager for the 2027 season, and it’s all because Alex Cora turned them down,again. An official announcement is reportedly coming this week, finally settling the dugout drama that’s been bubbling since early this year.
The Wild Ride From Bench Coach to Head Man
Talk about a rollercoaster season! Mattingly started 2026 as just the bench coach under manager Rob Thomson. Thomson, who took over in 2022 and never missed the playoffs, even leading the Phillies to the World Series, got axed after a brutal 9-19 start to the season. That’s when Mattingly stepped in as interim manager, and man, did things heat up. The Phillies got red-hot under Mattingly, going 79-55 and somehow clawing their way back into contention. They ended up 88-74, barely avoiding a complete collapse in the final week to snag the NL’s last playoff spot. Unfortunately, the Braves bounced them in the Wild Card Series in three games, but still, what a comeback for that squad. Mattingly never officially dropped the “interim” tag all season, but he was already under contract for 2027 as bench coach.
Cora’s Double Snub and Mattingly’s Big Shot
So, why the unexpected promotion for Mattingly? It all comes down to Alex Cora. The Phillies had been eyeing the ex-Red Sox manager, who Boston fired back in April. They even offered Cora the managerial job way back in April when Thomson got canned. Cora’s got a strong relationship with Phillies president Dave Dombrowski, but get this: Cora *again* turned down the Phillies gig earlier this month. Seriously? This dude said no twice! That left the Phillies with a choice, and they’re rolling with Mattingly. It makes sense, as he’s already familiar with the roster, especially with an uncertain offseason looming and a lockout expected in December. Oh, and here’s a wild note: the Phillies general manager is Preston Mattingly, Don’s son. It’s believed to be the first father-son GM/manager pairing in MLB history. Don Mattingly, at 65, is on his third managerial run, after leading the Dodgers from 2011-15 (winning three NL West titles but not a World Series) and the Marlins from 2016-22 (making the playoffs and winning NL Manager of the Year in 2020). He was even a bench coach for the 2025 Blue Jays, helping them win the AL pennant.
The Road Ahead: Questions Galore
The Phillies have made the playoffs five straight seasons, which sounds good, right? But check out this slide: World Series in 2022, NLCS in 2023, NLDS in 2024, NLDS in 2025, and then down to the Wild Card Series this past season. They are absolutely going backward. The roster is getting older, and the depth just isn’t there anymore. So, while Mattingly’s spot is now secure, Dave Dombrowski still has a ton of questions to answer this offseason. It’s a massive few months coming up for Philly, and we’ll see if Mattingly can turn that backward momentum around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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