Baseball and bloodlines lead Don and Preston Mattingly to the same place on Father's Day
This Father's Day comes with a bit of an edge for Preston Mattingly and his dad.
The Phillies are trying to sweep the Blue Jays: the son looking to best the father.
Deep Left Field
Jordan Romano, Don Mattingly and son, Phillies GM Preston Mattingly
Mike Wilner
Blue Jays coach Don Mattingly has been looking up to the executive suite at Citizens Bank Park this weekend and seeing his son Preston, who became general manager of the Phillies last fall.
'Preston has always loved sports,' said proud papa Don in an interview for the current episode of 'Deep Left Field,' the Star's baseball podcast. 'One of those kids that wakes up in the morning and has (ESPN's) 'SportsCenter' on and all that kind of stuff. He's been around not just this game but sports in general, and loves it. To see him doing well is really good.'
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Having a father who was not just successful in the game but a borderline Hall of Famer gave Preston a leg up, no question. But the Mattingly name can be a heavy one. When your nickname is Donnie Baseball, that comes with certain expectations for the progeny.
Mattingly saw that when his three older sons were playing. Preston is the middle child from Mattingly's first marriage.
'I was out of the game for a while and going to (Preston and older son Taylor's) games,' said the Jays' third-year bench coach. 'I felt for them. When they were playing baseball, I think the parents and other people think: Oh, he supposed to be good, he's supposed to be this. They don't allow them just to play.'
Preston said he doesn't remember people treating him any differently as the son of a New York Yankees legend, but looking back he can see it.
'Obviously being who he is, people probably look at me a little bit differently,' said the 37-year-old GM. 'But he was always great in letting me be myself and do my own thing. Never forced me or any of my brothers to play or do anything, and so with that there was no added pressure. Anything other people put on us externally, nothing came from him or my family.'
But Preston played anyway. Drafted 31st by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006 — two years before his father became the team's hitting coach — the younger Mattingly got a million-dollar bonus and played six seasons in the minors (never reaching Double-A) before returning to school and playing college basketball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Preston stayed in touch with Logan White, who was the scouting director with the Dodgers when he was drafted and had since moved to the San Diego Padres.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Gta
From rib festivals to car shows, here are ways to celebrate Father's Day in Toronto
Kristjan Lautens, Daniel Opasinis
'He was kind of in-between, like what he was going to do,' said Don, who was managing the Miami Marlins at that time. 'He came down to spring training with me for about a week and then San Diego called to interview him.'
Preston picked up the story.
'I flew out to Arizona (to the Padres' spring training facility) and met with (White) and some of the members of the front office and they offered me a job. I started in scouting and worked my way into different various front-office roles ... It was more just getting my feet wet and understanding the ins and outs and ebbs and flows of the front office. It was very indicative early on that it was something I wanted to do because I just love that side of the game, too.'
Nearly a decade later, Preston Mattingly has his own team to run in Philadelphia, while his father (drafted 493rd by the Yankees in 1979) is in his 47th season in professional baseball.
The senior Mattingly, having played with Ken Griffey Sr. for the first five years of his career, remembers Ken Griffey Jr. running around the Yankees clubhouse and believes kids learn baseball through osmosis.
'Being around the game, they see what it looks like,' Mattingly said of all the big-league juniors. 'They know how these guys talk, they're not intimidated by players. I'm going into the Yankees clubhouse as a 20-year-old, I'm scared halfway to ... don't know what to do. He's been getting autographs from guys since he was six years old hanging around the locker room.'
It helps, being born into the game.
The Blue Jays know this well, and have even made bloodlines part of their development strategy over the past few years.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho are current Jays whose fathers were big-leaguers. Vladdy's was a Hall of Famer, while Bichette and Varsho's dads (Dante and Gary) combined to play 22 seasons in the majors.
Blue Jays
Opinion
Mike Wilner: The Blue Jays take a stand for the anthems, for each other, and maybe for their season
Mike Wilner
The Jays recently t ook two out of three from the Phillies at the Rogers Centre, while Preston watched his dad from the suites above.
'The passion he has for helping players, that's always been the biggest thing,' said the Phillies GM. 'He never lost sight of how hard the game is — even how great a player he was — and just shares that passion for helping players achieve the goals and dreams they want to achieve.'
On Father's Day in Philadelphia, the dad will be looking up at his son.
'I'm pretty impressed, honestly,' said the Jays coach. 'He's good with people, which you have to be. He's good with all the numbers and everything, all the technology today ... but still, there's a human side, and I think he's got a pretty good balance of that.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
4 hours ago
- Global News
Bichette aggressive as Blue Jays' leadoff hitter
TORONTO – In just seven weeks Bo Bichette has gone from no home runs to leading the Toronto Blue Jays in round trippers. Bichette smashed the first pitch he saw over the wall in centre field on Saturday for his 11th homer of the year as Toronto routed the Chicago White Sox 7-1. The 27-year-old shortstop couldn't really explain what's changed for him since he hit his first homer on May 3 after not having any for the first 16 games of the Blue Jays' season. 'I think just every season is kind of different,' said Bichette. 'I started the year getting a lot of hits and competing really well with no power, and then started hitting for some power. 'I don't know. I mean, sometimes it just takes one to kind of understand the feeling and then go through the season and try to put it all together.' Story continues below advertisement Just 76 games into the season and Bichette's already matched or exceeded the home run output in three of his other seasons (2019, 2020, 2024). His best-ever year for power at the plate was when he had 29 homers in 2021. He moved ahead of George Springer (10) for most home runs on the Blue Jays this season with his first-inning blast on Saturday. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I'm just trying to go out there and compete every day and do as best I can,' said Bichette. The 35-year-old Springer, who batted fifth on Saturday, has been a leadoff hitter for most of his 12 years in Major League Baseball. Springer's 60 leadoff home runs are second on the all-time list behind Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson (81). Bichette said that Springer's been giving him some advice on how to hit for power when leading off. Story continues below advertisement 'He's one of the best of all time to do it and he's helped me,' said Bichette, who has two leadoff homers in the past four games. 'Most of it has been how to manage knowing you're probably getting a fastball and maybe not being too excited about it but also being ready for it.' Toronto manager John Schneider said that as much as Springer has helped, Bichette's also just a natural. 'Bo can do that, he's that talented of a hitter,' said Schneider. 'The leadoff spot is a tricky one, because you're probably gonna get a first pitch fastball. 'You have to be kind of on time and do your homework a little bit.' BERRIOS DELIVERS — Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (3-3) allowed one unearned run on two hits and three walks over 7 2/3 innings, striking out five. The quality start was critical after Toronto used seven relief pitchers in Friday's 7-1 loss, a scheduled bullpen day. Berrios threw 95 pitches and earned a standing ovation from the 41,488 fans at Rogers Centre when he left the game in the eighth inning. 'I came in today having that on my mind, but also it's my day,' said Berrios. 'This is my job, and that's my goal, trying to be longer in the game. Story continues below advertisement 'I was able to throw seven and two outs today, and I helped, so I'm happy.' Schneider was impressed with how varied Berrios's arsenal of pitches were in the outing. 'He's using both sides of the plate, good mix of his pitches, stick in his heater when he needs to,' said Schneider. 'The strikeouts late, I think were huge for him, too. 'He's been consistent all year, and today was exactly what we needed.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.
Globe and Mail
5 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Toronto Blue Jays top Chicago White Sox 7-1 with Bichette's homer, Berrios's solid outing
Bo Bichette's smashed the first pitch he saw for a solo home run and the Toronto Blue Jays never looked back in a 7-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon. Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes each had an RBI single in a three-run second inning for Toronto (41-35) after George Springer scored on a throwing error. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tacked on another run in the seventh with a home run to deep left field. Davis Schneider added more insurance with a two-run double in the eighth. Jose Berrios (3-3) was solid, allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks over 7 2/3 innings, striking out five. Yariel Rodriguez and Chad Green combined for 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Andrew Benintendi hit into a fielder's choice in the sixth inning, with Miguel Vargas evading catcher Alejandro Kirk's tag to score for Chicago (24-53) after Guerrero threw straight home instead of tagging the hitter. Aaron Civale (1-4) pitched seven innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out two. Jake Palisch allowed two more runs in his one inning of relief. Blue Jays: After seven relievers pitched in Toronto's 7-1 loss on Friday — a scheduled bullpen day — it was critical that Berrios go deep into the game to get the bullpen some rest. He delivered, throwing 95 pitches and earning a standing ovation from the 41,488 fans at Rogers Centre when he left the game in the eighth inning. White Sox: Despite allowing five runs, Civale actually managed to keep the scoring relatively low after coughing up nine hits and issuing a walk. His 96-pitch performance was also a relief to a beleaguered Chicago bullpen that has been tasked with closing, and sometimes starting, many games this season. Springer's baserunning from first to third continues to be a strength this season, with his speed on the basepaths forcing right-fielder Austin Slater's throw to third in the second inning. The ball went into the netting, allowing Springer to score and Ernie Clement to advance to third. Bichette needed 16 games to hit his first home run of the season, finally connecting on May 3. His solo shot in the first inning on Saturday was his 11th of the season, most on the Blue Jays. Chris Bassitt (7-3) gets the start as Toronto finishes its three-game series with Chicago with a Sunday matinee. The White Sox had not yet determined who their starting pitcher would be.
National Post
5 hours ago
- National Post
Bo Bichette's first-pitch lead-off homer powers Blue Jays to win over White Sox
Bo Bichette batting leadoff is turning into a huge success. Article content If he can somehow ease up on his aggressive approach at the plate, which doesn't seem likely, then perhaps this new-found role can be sustained. Article content Article content Regardless, Bichette has been on fire with as he ignited the Blue Jays in Saturday's meeting against the Chicago White Sox under a closed roof at Rogers Centre that did eventually open once the home side opened the floodgates. Article content Article content For the second time in four games, Bichette led off the game with a home run on the first pitch, the third time in five games Bichette has gone deep. Article content Following a two-game losing streak, the Blue Jays returned to their winning ways following their 7-1 victory over the ChiSox, who took the series opener with that exact score. Article content Bichette leads the Jays in homers (11) and RBI (46). Article content The more he keeps hitting, the more unlikely Bichette — a pending free agent — will be moved at next month's trade deadline. Article content Keep in mind Bichette did not record his first homer of the season until May 3 when he went yard in a loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Article content In the second inning of Saturday's game, the Jays produced five hits during a three-run frame. Article content Article content The hitting onslaught began when George Springer led off the inning on a sharp line drive into left field. Article content Following injuries to Daulton Varsho (hamstring) and Anthony Santander (shoulder), the Jays' lineup has undergone change, including the reappearance of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. into the No. 3 hole. Article content Article content Article content The one constant has been Bichette, who has reasserted his elite status. Article content Davis Schneider was inserted and he came through by driving in the Jays' third run of the game, the first of three RBI on the afternoon for the left-fielder. Article content
