Evansville native Don Mattingly begins another MLB season with Toronto Blue Jays

EVANSVILLE — Don Mattingly was sitting in one of the back rooms inside the Carson Center on the University of Evansville campus.

A reporter passed him a phone with a video cued up. What played over the screen was a blast from the past, footage of Mattingly wearing the blue and white pinstripes for Memorial High School. He’s told he hit two triples in this state tournament game.

“It’s ‘78 for sure,” he told those in the room. "I definitely remember the feeling.”

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Much has changed for Mattingly, 62, in the nearly half-century since. His playing career is long behind him. His traditional mustache from his time in the majors is now replaced by a full white beard. What hasn’t is his love for the game.

It’s why you still find him coaching in Major League Baseball.

The Evansville native begins his second season as a bench coach with the Toronto Blue Jays this week, beginning with Opening Day against Tampa Bay on Thursday. The move came after 12 years as a manager between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. The job titles and responsibilities change. His excitement never does.

“Last year was my first year there and really enjoyed it,” Mattingly said. “We have a good, young club that needs to take the next step. Hopefully, I can help with that.”

The former Memorial star noted last year was an easy adjustment. He had served in a bench role previously and did much of the same prep work as he did managing. It was now his job to serve as a voice and ear for Toronto manager John Schneider when needed.

There’s an additional responsibility this spring. Mattingly is also the offensive coordinator for the Blue Jays. Yes, we’re still talking baseball. The sport can feel complicated with mounds of information available to coaches and players. Think of it as streamlining the process.

In the past, one person may have been responsible for broad strategy and another for swing mechanics. The Blue Jays now have one voice providing the overall message for the club's offense. Infielders Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were American League All-Stars last season for the club.

“Nothing is really easy at the major league level,” he said. “Both roles I’m comfortable with. I’m excited to expand in that role. I think it’s an area where I can help our club. We have some really good young players. I feel like they can still get better and there’s another level for them.”

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Mattingly’s baseball success is well documented. He led Memorial to 59 straight victories including the state championship as a junior. Mattingly was drafted in the 19th round by the New York Yankees and spent his entire 14-year career in the Bronx, sporting a career .307 average and 222 home runs. He won the 1984 batting title and 1985 American League Most Valuable Player award.

How quickly some fans forget once he wears a different uniform into Yankee Stadium. It was one thing with the Dodgers or Marlins, where he managed in the postseason a combined four times. Mattingly jokes the vibe was slightly altered working for an AL East rival.

"When I went in there with Miami, it was no big deal," he said. "It was definitely different (last year). They knew Toronto is a really good club and organization."

Mattingly still talks fondly of Evansville. He spends his offseason in town, both to unwind in a familiar setting and check in with Mattingly Charities or Night of Memories like in January. It's also where his passion for baseball started and grew. Again, a lot has changed since those days on Lincoln Avenue. The journey, though, is still going strong at the highest level.

He credits much of it to lessons learned even nearly 50 years ago.

"You have to go back all the way home to your parents," said Mattingly. "My mom and dad were both solid. I had brothers that played. That’s your foundation of who you are. Coach (Quentin) Merkel definitely pushed me to another level of wanting to be better and better. That opened a lot of doors.

"Whatever happens, you learn from it and move on and keep going. I want to be good at everything."

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Opening Day: Don Mattingly starts another year with Toronto Blue Jays