The Toronto Blue Jays have struggled to recapture the momentum they enjoyed during their American League championship run last year, but one bright spot has been star infielder Ernie Clement.
After evolving from a waiver pickup into an All-Star starter and the league’s top fan selection, Clement has become one of the club’s most respected voices.
And that made his recent comments about former Blue Jays coach Don Mattingly especially noteworthy, as his departure for the Philadelphia Phillies has raised questions about whether the Blue Jays batting order can succeed without him.
Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Ernie Clement Sends Don Mattingly Message After Exit
Mattingly chose to leave the Blue Jays after last season’s World Series run, accepting an opportunity that led him to the Phillies’ dugout. His departure left a significant hole in Toronto’s coaching staff, but his impact has continued to resonate with players who worked alongside him.
Speaking before the All-Star festivities, Clement responded to the loss of the former New York Yankees first baseman by noting his quick success with the Phillies and his chance to team up with his son, Preston Mattingly, who is the Phillies’ general manager.
“It’s awesome that he teamed up with Preston,” Clement said, according to the Associated Press. “They’re just doing a great job.”
The comments came as Mattingly prepared to coach in the National League dugout after orchestrating a turnaround in Philadelphia.
“Mattingly passed on a guaranteed spot in the AL dugout when he left his job as Toronto’s bench coach to manager John Schneider after the World Series, which the Blue Jays lost in seven games to the Dodgers,” the Associated Press added. “He’s not only still in the game — he’s now the interim manager for the Philadelphia Phillies and has them back in the thick of the playoff race.”
Toronto Blue Jays Rising Star Ernie Clement Thrives As Team Slumps Without Don Mattingly
Clement’s praise carries additional weight because he experienced firsthand how influential Mattingly became during his time in Toronto.
As Mattingly and the rest of the Blue Jays’ recent staff have worked with him, Clement has become one of the best infielders in the sport after deciding to join the team with little fanfare in 2023, establishing himself as an everyday player and earning the starting nod for the American League in this year’s Midsummer Classic.
“Clement signed with the Blue Jays,” Shi Davidi wrote for Sportsnet. “And what a fateful decision that’s turned out to be… The 3.5 seasons since have taken him from off-roster depth piece, to bench player, to everyday guy, to single-season-playoff hits record-holder, to member of Team USA at the World Baseball Classic and, now, to starting second baseman and American League top vote-getter for the 96th All-Star Game.”
While Mattingly is now focused on guiding the Phillies’ playoff push, his influence might be missed by some of the position players in Toronto. Clement’s comments suggest the Yankees icon continues to command admiration from the clubhouse he left behind, even as his managerial turnaround in Philadelphia has become one of baseball’s biggest stories heading into the second half.