Interim Phillies manager says he wants permanent role

Interim manager Don Mattingly said he would accept the Philadelphia Phillies managerial job on a permanent basis if offered. "Oh, I would do it," Mattingly told ESPN's Buster Olney before Wednesday's game at the Cincinnati Reds. "I kind of committed myself to two years with the Phillies when I came over.

So, whatever [president of baseball operations] Dave [Dombrowski] wants to do in that regard. " The Phillies entered the All-Star break in playoff contention. Mattingly replaced the previous manager after the team started the season 9-19.

Turnaround under interim leadership Since Mattingly's first game on April 28, the Phillies have posted a 42-22 record. That mark ranks second among all MLB teams during the period. The team president of baseball operations had offered the position to another candidate earlier in the season before selecting Mattingly as the interim replacement.

Mattingly works alongside his son, who serves as the club's general manager. The arrangement marks the first known father-son manager-general manager pairing in major league history. Mattingly previously managed the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.

He played 14 seasons as a first baseman for the New York Yankees and was named the 1985 American League Most Valuable Player.