PHILADELPHIA -- Based on reporting throughout the season, seeing a new face managing the Phillies in 2027 would not shock anyone.
After Rob Thomson was fired following a 9-19 start to the season, bench coach Don Mattingly was named interim manager of the club. However, Phillies President of Baseball Operations admitted that Mattingly was not his first choice.
He told reporters, including MLB.com reporter Todd Zolecki, that he first tried to hire Alex Cora, former manager of the Red Sox who was also relieved of his duties in April of this year.
“We talked about potentially taking the job,” Dombrowski said. “I had told him I had really come to the conclusion at that point that if he took it, I was going to make a change. I thought that he might take it, but as time went on over the next day into Monday morning, it was apparent from his perspective that he wanted to take time with his family.”
The pair are familiar with each other as they won a World Series together when both were working in Boston back in 2018. Now, a new report from USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale links the Phillies and Cora, despite the club being in the midst of a playoff push:
'Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, who took over for Rob Thomson on April 28, not only must lead the Phillies to the postseason, but likely to the World Series or even win it to be asked back. Alex Cora, who turned down the job when Thomson was fired, is expected to be the Phillies’ next manager barring a World Series berth or title.'
A high bar for a man who did not join the organization with the intent of being the manager. After being handed the reins, however, Mattingly expressed a willingness to stay in his new role.
After Nightengale's report came out on Sunday, Mattingly was asked his feelings on the report before Monday's series opener against the Marlins:
"None of that frustrates me. I'm not worried about any of that kind of stuff. Just trying to win a game tonight against Miami. I want the best thing for the Phillies. I'm not concerned about any of that.
Things have not always been smooth under Mattingly, but the results on the field are what you would hope. The club has a 59-39 record under the interim manager, and since the start of August, they have been playing an even better brand of baseball.
Mattingly was surprisingly open to answering the question, even joking at the beginning, "It's win or bust, you win it all or you don't," with a smile strewn across his face.
The interim manager has stated that he committed to the Phillies for two years. Regardless of role, he would like to honor that. If 2026 is the end, being able to work for his son Preston is a great period the two will always cherish.
A more memorable moment would come by taking this team and making that potential decision on the manager in 2027 much harder.
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