Mattingly Joins NL Staff for All-Star Game After Leaving Blue Jays

Don Mattingly will coach against his former Toronto team when he joins the National League staff for Tuesday's All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Mattingly accepted the role under Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after turning down an American League coaching spot. He left his position as Toronto's bench coach after the Blue Jays lost the World Series in seven games.

Mattingly said the decision created mixed feelings. "It is weird being on the other side," he told reporters Monday. His 11-year-old son helped settle the matter by asking whether the family would attend the Home Run Derby. Mattingly took the Philadelphia job at the urging of his son Louis and now works alongside another son, Preston, who serves as the team's general manager.

He had cited a desire to spend more time with family when he left Toronto in November.

Mattingly is 45-24 since taking over in late April after the previous manager was fired. The team had lost 11 of 12 games and sat tied for last in the majors at that point. Six players from the club were named All-Stars, including the league's starting pitcher.

Mattingly said he wants to wait until the offseason before discussing whether the interim tag will be removed. He is in his 23rd consecutive season as a major league manager or coach. Blue Jays All-Star second baseman Ernie Clement said Mattingly was missed in Toronto.

"It's awesome that he teamed up with Preston," Clement said. " Mattingly played 14 seasons as a first baseman, all with one American League club, from 1982 to 1995. He was a six-time All-Star during his playing career.