New Blue Jays coach Don Mattingly once had a hilarious Simpsons cameo
Don Mattingly has had an amazing career in Major League Baseball, but there’s something away from the ballpark that fans will always remember about him.
Get rid of those sideburns!
The Toronto Blue Jays announced the hiring of Mattingly as the team’s new bench coach on Wednesday. The 61-year-old comes to the Blue Jays after seven seasons as manager of the Miami Marlins (2016-22), and five years managing the Los Angeles Dodgers (2011-2015). He also has many years of experience as a hitting and bench coach with the New York Yankees (2004-2007) and Dodgers (2008-2010).
Mattingly is a Yankees legend, as the first baseman was a six-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and three-time Silver Slugger winner during an exceptional 14-year MLB career (1982-1995).
But it was in 1992 that he really solidified his legendary status.
Mattingly was one of nine MLB players that made a guest appearance on an iconic episode of The Simpsons in Season 3. “Homer at the Bat,” also featured Wade Boggs, Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens, Ken Griffey Jr., Steve Sax, Mike Scioscia, Ozzie Smith, and Darryl Strawberry.
The nine pro baseball players were ringers brought onto the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant’s softball team by Mr. Burns.
Mattingly got kicked off the team after Mr. Burns hilariously became obsessed with him shaving off his non-existent sideburns. The joke mirrored a real-life incident, where Mattingly was benched by the Yankees for refusing to cut his mullet.
It’s been 30 years, but the Mattingly announcement was met with a similar reaction by a lot of Blue Jays fans.
So who is going to tell him to shave his sideburns? pic.twitter.com/2MtOMi03By
— EtotheMAN (@eman_87) November 30, 2022
If he doesn’t show up like this on day 1 I’m questioning his commitment to the Blue Jays. pic.twitter.com/E3e6R6Tfeo
— Eric Tourigny (@big_radius) November 30, 2022
— Dr. Cameron Pentland (@CameronPentland) November 30, 2022
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