Events in Phillies history on November 8

  • 2024 – Preston Mattingly was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies as part of a front-office shakeup. The move also included Sam Fuld transitioning toward a president of business operations role.
  • 2019 – The Phillies named Juan Castro their infield coach.

Phillies players, managers, executives, and broadcasters born on November 8:

  • John Denny (1952) – Right-handed pitcher who played for the Phillies from 1982–1985 and won the 1983 NL Cy Young Award while with Philadelphia.
  • José Offerman (1968) – Switch-hitting infielder who spent time with the Phillies late in his big-league career (appearing with Philadelphia in 2005); had a long MLB career across several clubs.
  • Nick Punto (1977) – Utility infielder who broke into the majors with the Phillies (debuted with Philadelphia in 2001) and spent parts of 2001–2003 in the Phillies organization before a lengthy MLB career elsewhere.

A DEEPER DIVE… Preston Mattingly

Preston Mattingly’s baseball journey has been an interesting mix of expectation, perseverance, and eventual reinvention. As the son of longtime major league star and former Yankees captain Don Mattingly, Preston grew up surrounded by the game, and his early career reflected both the promise and the pressures that come with a famous baseball name. Born on August 28, 1987, in Evansville, Indiana, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft, going 31st overall. At the time, scouts praised his athleticism, quick hands, and potential to develop into a strong-hitting infielder. The Dodgers viewed him as a player who could grow into his frame and eventually hit for power as he matured.

His professional career began in the Dodgers’ minor league system, where he spent several seasons trying to find his footing. Mattingly started out as a shortstop but also saw time at second base and third base. Despite flashes of talent, consistency at the plate proved elusive. His first couple of seasons in the minors showed some potential, but the numbers never quite matched the projections made on draft day. The physical tools were there, but the adjustment to professional pitching and the grind of the minor leagues took a toll. As the years went on, his offensive numbers flattened out and his progression through the system stalled.

The Dodgers traded Mattingly to the Cleveland Indians organization before the 2011 season, giving him a fresh start. He continued to work hard in the minors, spending time with the Indians and later the Yankees organizations, but the results remained modest. By the time his playing career ended after the 2012 season, Mattingly had appeared in over 400 minor league games without breaking through to the majors. While many might have viewed that as the end of the road, Mattingly saw it as the beginning of a different kind of career in baseball.

After stepping away from playing, he pivoted to player development, coaching, and front office work. His understanding of what it takes to succeed—and sometimes fail—at the professional level gave him a valuable perspective when it came to working with young players. He joined the San Diego Padres organization in a developmental role and steadily worked his way up, gaining respect for his communication skills and his modern approach to scouting and player evaluation. Those who worked with him described him as analytical, patient, and open-minded, qualities that stood out in a front office setting.

In September 2021, the Philadelphia Phillies hired Mattingly as their director of player development, a role that placed him in charge of overseeing the entire minor league system. His focus has been on improving player development processes, expanding data use, and fostering communication between departments. Under his watch, the Phillies have seen improvements in player advancement and performance throughout the farm system. In 2024, he was promoted to vice president and general manager, marking a major milestone in a career that began not in the boardroom, but on the field.

Preston Mattingly’s story is one of persistence and adaptation. Though his playing career may not have reached the heights some predicted, his second act has been impressive. By blending his baseball upbringing with a forward-thinking approach, he has carved out his own path in the game—one that continues to shape the Phillies’ future.