The departure of Don Mattingly from the Toronto Blue Jays coaching staff continues to be a talking point months into the 2026 season, particularly as Mattingly has helped spark an unexpected turnaround with the Philadelphia Phillies.
While Mattingly’s success in Philadelphia has fueled speculation about his long-term future, it has also prompted a former Blue Jays player to wonder whether Toronto underestimated the impact of losing one of baseball’s most respected veteran coaches.
Former Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar recently spoke out about Mattingly’s departure and speculated that his exit could be contributing to the club’s ongoing struggles this season.
Toronto Blue Jays 7-Yer Veteran Kevin Pillar Praises Philadelphia Phillies’ Don Mattingly
Speaking on “Foul Territory,” Pillar questioned whether Mattingly’s absence has had a larger impact than many expected.
“Is it the reason the Blue Jays aren’t playing well? Could it be some reason that they’re not playing as well, the fact that Don was there last year and he’s not there anymore?” Pillar asked during a recent segment. “Clearly, there’s a void that’s missing without Donnie Baseball there and clearly something has changed in Philadelphia, because we’re talking about the same group of players… The team’s playing better so there’s something magical about Donnie Baseball.”
Pillar spent seven seasons with Toronto, from 2013 to 2019, and remains one of the more recognizable veterans to come through the organization in the past decade. And his questions were raised as Mattingly’s influence has become increasingly visible in Philadelphia following the club’s managerial change.
“With the Philadelphia Phillies firmly in playoff contention heading into the All-Star break, interim manager Don Mattingly said he would be interested in leading the club full time,” ESPN reported. “Since Rob Thomson was fired in April, Mattingly has led a remarkable turnaround in Philadelphia over the past two months. At the time of Thomson’s dismissal, the Phillies were 9-19, tied with the New York Mets for MLB’s worst record.”
Toronto Blue Jays Lost ‘Dream’ Coach When Don Mattingly Joined Philadelphia Phillies
Mattingly’s impact in Toronto was well documented but with his new team ascending and his former team struggling, it’s becoming apparent that his impact on the offense was key. And there’s little doubt that Blue Jays manager John Schneider would like to have kept him in the dugout.
“Having Mattingly as bench coach was a dream for Blue Jays manager John Schneider,” Keegan Matheson wrote for MLB.com. “As a kid growing up in New Jersey, Schneider had Mattingly’s poster on his wall. The initial awe wore off, of course, and the two grew close, the veteran Mattingly helping the younger Schneider lead this organization back to the World Series.”
Whether Mattingly ultimately lands the Phillies’ managerial job for next season remains to be seen, but as Philadelphia continues its resurgence, the discussion surrounding his influence is only growing louder — both in Pennsylvania and north of the border.