The Philadelphia Phillies continue to tighten their hold on a National League playoff spot, putting together one of baseball’s best records since Don Mattingly took over as manager and establishing themselves as a serious World Series threat.
While much of the spotlight has centered on Philadelphia’s turnaround, a recent series against the Toronto Blue Jays shifted attention back to Mattingly’s previous role as bench coach for the American League champions.
During the series, Mattingly reflected on Toronto’s heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in last season’s World Series and also shared his thoughts on a former Blue Jays standout who has encountered difficulties since changing teams.
Bo Bichette entered the 2026 campaign with high expectations after leaving Toronto and signing a massive deal with the New York Mets. However, instead of helping guide the Mets comfortably into playoff contention, the veteran shortstop has become a focal point of criticism as the club searches for stability.
Despite his underwhelming offensive production, many around the league remain confident that Bichette can rediscover his form.
“This is not a veteran bat that has simply forgotten how to hit,” Joe Pantorno wrote of Bichette’s first season with the Mets for amNY. “Bichette batted .311 last season with the Toronto Blue Jays and holds a .294 career average. But he is in a lineup that has not been at full strength for most of the season — Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor traded places on the IL with strained calf injuries — and the avalanche of losses has understandably compounded the pressure in a new, bigger city.”
That viewpoint appears to be shared by Mattingly, who spent several seasons working closely with Bichette during his time in Toronto.
“I’ve known Bo a long time,” Mattingly said this week, according to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. “I always liked the way he played.”
Even as Bichette continues to navigate an inconsistent season with one of Philadelphia’s biggest division rivals, Mattingly made his feelings clear with a brief but meaningful endorsement.
“I still like him,” Mattingly added.
Rather than dwelling on Bichette’s recent struggles, Mattingly pointed to the larger body of work that established him as one of the American League’s premier young hitters during his tenure with the Blue Jays.
The comments also underscore the respect Mattingly continues to hold for many of the players he coached in Toronto before taking over the Phillies. If Mattingly remains in Philadelphia and Bichette eventually opts out of his Mets contract, a future reunion between the two may not be entirely out of the question.