Phillies Prospect Reunites With Coach He Met as 8-Year-Old

Justin Crawford's face lights up when he talks about meeting Don Mattingly for the first time in 2012. He was eight years old, tagging along with his dad Carl on his first day with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Carl Crawford, a four-time All-Star, had just been traded from the Red Sox. Young Justin walked into the manager's office and shook hands with Mattingly, a baseball legend with an MVP Award, nine Gold Gloves, and six All-Star selections.

"I still remember just thinking how cool that was," Crawford said.

Fast forward to 2024, and the 22-year-old is now expected to be the Phillies' Opening Day center fielder. His new bench coach? That same Don Mattingly, who joined Philadelphia this offseason.

Mattingly admits he doesn't remember those early encounters as vividly as Crawford does. "All the players had kids hanging around," he points out fairly.

But Crawford has certainly caught his attention now. The Phillies' No. 3 prospect has seamlessly fit into the major league clubhouse this spring, earning a locker among the veterans despite being a non-roster invitee.

"I really like his demeanor," Mattingly said. "His demeanor is kind of quiet, but he's not shy."

Growing up around big leaguers prepared Crawford for this moment. His childhood clubhouses featured names like David Ortiz, Clayton Kershaw, and Evan Longoria.

"That shell-shock factor didn't really happen to me as much," Crawford explained. "That stuff helped me feel comfortable being around these guys quicker than maybe I would have."

Sunny's Take

There's something beautifully poetic about this reunion. Crawford went from being a starry-eyed kid meeting a baseball icon to becoming a promising player earning that icon's respect. Mattingly notices Crawford's focused work ethic and polished routines in the batting cage—the kind that signal a player destined to keep improving.

When Crawford heard the Phillies hired Mattingly, he was thrilled to learn from someone with such deep baseball knowledge. But seeing him again at spring training felt different.

"It was one of those full-circle moments getting back around him," Crawford said.

Fellow outfielder Brandon Marsh has taken Crawford under his wing, and the young prospect rattles off numerous names when asked who he's learned from at camp. But reconnecting with Mattingly holds special significance.

This time, Crawford will leave Mattingly with lasting memories of his own—not as the kid in the manager's office, but as the talented player helping lead the Phillies toward success.