‘Substitute teacher’ Dusty Wathan takes over Phillies dugout for a day
With interim manager Don Mattingly attending his son’s graduation at Purdue on Saturday, Wathan slid over from his bench coach role. “The preparation is pretty close to the same,” he said.
PITTSBURGH — The visitor’s clubhouse at PNC Park had some new signage for its new occupant on Saturday.
Taped over the sign and written in black marker, it read:
Substitute Teacher
Mr Wathan
Phillies bench coach Dusty Wathan assumed the role of manager on Saturday against the Pirates, with interim manager Don Mattingly attending one of his sons’ graduation at Purdue University. Wathan found out last week that he would be taking over for Saturday’s game.
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He said it doesn’t feel like a different day of work.
“The preparation is pretty close to the same,” Wathan said. “I prepare like I’m helping Donnie manage the game, and you’re kind of managing along with him. So, a lot of the preparation, everything was pretty much identical to what I do.”
Wathan’s resumé as a manager is long. He managed at every level of the Phillies’ minor league system over a 10-year span before joining the major league staff as a third base coach in 2018. He remains the winningest manager in double-A Reading history.
But Wathan, 52, has never managed in the major leagues, despite going through the interview process for a few teams in the past. On Saturday, he texted his father, John Wathan, who played 10 seasons for the Kansas City Royals and later managed them for five seasons.
“It’s a pretty neat thing,” Wathan said. “I mean, obviously not what I expected to be doing here, looking back three, four weeks ago, but it’ll be neat when it’s all over. But it’s about the players, it’s about trying to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates today. It’s not about me at all. We’re just trying to get another win, trying to stack wins.”
Wathan started this year as the Phillies’ third base coach, but was moved to bench coach after Rob Thomson was fired last month.
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“I really enjoy coaching third base. I tell everybody it’s the closest thing to playing when you’re done playing,” Wathan said. “So, I think it’s a lot of fun out there. You can impact the game in the middle of the game, as opposed to strategically before the game, but I enjoy this new role.
“I mean, it’s been fun. It’s been a change of pace. Preparing more like I did as a manager in the minor leagues, and things like that. I miss it, but we’re in a good spot.”
Wathan’s lineup card on Saturday had Alec Bohm penciled back in the cleanup spot for the second consecutive game. Bohm entered Saturday on a six-game hit streak, which has elevated his batting average to .195. His average in 43 at-bats in May is .302.
A month ago, Bohm was hitting .136.
“A lot more consistency,” Wathan said. “Swing’s getting there. I think he’s just feeling like himself a little bit more, getting closer to the guy that we’ve seen over the last few years.”
Wathan said he hasn’t noticed a difference in Bohm’s demeanor now that he is seeing more results, compared to when he wasn’t.
“He’s been tremendous all year,” Wathan said. “His maturity level now is through the roof. I think everybody knows the struggles he’s gone through on and off the field, and I think he’s handled it very well.
“I think in the past we would have seen some mood changes and stuff like that. You’re seeing a guy that’s growing up in front of our eyes. And I think the consistency that he’s had will hopefully turn into something good for him.”
Extra bases
Adolis García was back in the lineup in right field after a day off on Friday ... Zack Wheeler (2-0, 2.55 ERA) is scheduled to start against Pirates right-hander and reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes (6-2, 1.98 ERA) in Sunday’s series finale.
There’s never not a good reason to talk baseball with Terry Francona. But with his current team (the Reds) coming to town Monday, and because two of his former clubs (the Red Sox and Phillies) recently fired their managers, there's no better time to invite the future Hall of Fame manager for a conversation on "Phillies Extra," The Inquirer's baseball podcast. Watch here.
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