The Toronto Blue Jays will look to defend their American League crown in 2026 without 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 was first to report Mattingly’s departure earlier in the day.
“Kind of had a pretty good feeling that this was going to be my last year in Toronto,” Mattingly said in an appearance in New York City. “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.”
The 64-year-old Mattingly spent the past three seasons with the Jays in the role. The Evansville, IN native has extensive managerial experience, previously serving as skipper of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins for a combined 12 seasons from 2011 to 2022. The 2020 National League Manager of the Year, Mattingly has a career record of 889-950 (.483).
Mattingly says he’s unsure of what comes next for him, citing family commitments among his considerations.
“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,” Mattingly 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.
