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The news of Don Mattingly joining the Toronto Blue Jays as their new bench coach has sent shockwaves throughout the baseball world. The New York Yankees faithful are known for their loyalty and passion towards their team. As such, the loss of one of their most beloved players to a division rival has left many feeling disappointed and disheartened.
Don Mattingly, affectionately known as "Donnie Baseball" to Yankees fans, spent his entire 14-year playing career with the team. He became one of the most iconic and recognizable players in franchise history.
Mattingly was a six-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner, and won the American League batting title in 1984. Mattingly's success on the field and his humble personality off of it made him a fan favorite and a beloved figure in the Yankees community.
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On Twitter, Yankees fans expressed their disappointment:
Mattingly was synonymous with the Yankees for so long, it is indeed strange to see him with the Blue Jays.
After retiring in 1995, Mattingly continued to work with the Yankees organization as a coach and later as the team's hitting coach. He was widely seen as a potential successor to then-manager Joe Torre, but when Torre stepped down in 2007, Mattingly was passed over for the job in favor of Joe Girardi.
Mattingly left the Yankees to become the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers before being promoted to manager in 2011.
Don Mattingly already having an influence on the Blue Jays bench
The Toronto Blue Jays have had a decent start to their 2023 MLB campaign and currently sit in second place in the American League East table. New bench coach Don Mattingly has no doubt had a huge impact on the team and is one of the reasons for their consistent performances.
In the end, Mattingly will always be a beloved figure in the Yankees community, regardless of where his coaching career takes him. While his absence may be felt by many, it's important for fans to continue to support the team and have faith in the coaching staff currently in place.
