After more than 40 years in professional baseball, Don Mattingly has finally reached the pinnacle moment of the sport, the World Series. The former Los Angeles Dodgers manager and current Toronto Blue Jays bench coach will now experience the Fall Classic for the first time in his storied career.
Mattingly, 64, has done nearly everything in baseball. A six-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and 1985 American League MVP with the New York Yankees, he was long regarded as one of the best players never to appear in a World Series. Despite his individual brilliance, the Yankees failed to reach the postseason during the prime of his career, leaving Mattingly without a chance at October glory.
As a manager, he came close multiple times, guiding the Dodgers to three straight NL West titles from 2013–2015 and later leading the Miami Marlins to their first postseason appearance in 17 years during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, even winning Manager of the Year that season.
Now, as the Blue Jays’ bench coach, Mattingly’s patience has finally paid off. His leadership, experience, and steady presence have helped guide a talented Toronto roster back to championship contention. For baseball fans, especially those who remember “Donnie Baseball” at first base in pinstripes or managing in Dodger blue, this long-awaited moment feels both fitting and well-deserved.
There’s a certain feeling about seeing Don Mattingly finally reach the World Series, the kind that reminds you why they say, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?” Dodgers fans can’t help but feel a bit of pride for their former skipper, who spent years guiding the club and helped lay the foundation for its current success. But make no mistake, sentimentality only goes so far in October. Dodgers Nation will always have respect for Donnie Baseball… just not enough to let him win four games.
