Beyond the Diamond: How Baseball Legend Don Mattingly Continues to Make a Lasting Impact Off the Field

Don Mattingly’s storied baseball career has made him a household name from New York to Toronto, but the impact he’s having away from the spotlight may prove to be just as meaningful. Since taking on a coaching role with the Blue Jays, Mattingly has continued a mission close to his heart: giving back to youth in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana, through Mattingly Charities.

Alongside his wife Lori, Mattingly recently celebrated a significant milestone — surpassing $1 million in grant donations to support youth programs throughout the Evansville area. “It was a great feeling for us,” Mattingly remarked this week at Rogers Centre. “It’s been a lot of hard work. We really are a pretty small organization — we have two employees, and it’s something that is close to my heart and Lori’s heart. We both grew up there. We both were not necessarily in underserved neighborhoods, but definitely knew what it was like to struggle.”

The non-profit began in 2007 by helping youth sports programs in Connecticut, but in 2015, the focus shifted to Indiana — a reflection of Mattingly’s deep ties to his roots. Over the years, the charity’s vision has evolved. “We do believe in team sports and how that helps you grow,” Mattingly explained. “But really, we’re finding now that education is more of an avenue to really help more kids. We’re really pushing now for our reading program — wanting to expand it to all kids and get everyone reading. We feel it’s a way to better yourself and give these kids opportunities to know there are places to go, and it doesn’t just have to be sports.”

This pivot toward literacy highlights how Mattingly Charities is aiming to create a broader, longer-lasting impact. Initiatives now include youth empowerment grants and reading programs meant to nurture skills beyond athletics, showing Mattingly’s passion for building a foundation of success for children extends well beyond the diamond.

While Mattingly continues to leave his mark as a major league coach, moments of pride still stem from his baseball family. He recalled being in New York this offseason when Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho received his first Gold Glove Award. “It was a great feeling,” Mattingly stated. “We felt like he should’ve won it the year before … Defense, for me, shows a side of a player — it shows effort. And it doesn’t get that much attention, so when guys get recognized for it, I love seeing it.”

This week’s Blue Jays–Phillies series comes with unique personal significance for Mattingly: his son Preston is serving his first season as Philadelphia’s general manager. “Very proud,” Mattingly said, smiling. “Preston was a kid that just worked his way up through the Padres organization, doing anything they asked him to do, probably not making any money but getting by. To see him get a chance to be a farm director there for a couple of years and then slowly kind of walk up that ladder, I’m happy for him.”

Asked if the father-son rivalry amps up during the series, Mattingly laughed and admitted, “Not too much smack.” For a man whose life has been marked by competitive fire on the field, it’s clear that his legacy off it — fostering hope and opportunity for young people — matters just as much. As Mattingly Charities looks to its next million dollars raised, the coach remains committed to ensuring that every child in Evansville and beyond gets a chance to dream big and achieve more.