Mark Don Mattingly down as a member of the Michael Scott club for those who are “not super stitious, but a little stitious.”
Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae reported ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Houston Astros, that the Toronto Blue Jays‘ offensive co-ordinator has shaved his beard after the team was no-hit on Monday.
“Gotta switch it up,” Mattingly said, according to Mae.
Mattingly is in his second year as the Blue Jays’ bench coach, but first as the offensive co-ordinator. A new role the team created for 2024 to “become more united and consistent” in its messaging to hitters.
“My role obviously involves the offence a lot more. Last year (I) kinda tinkered around, but we had different people in place that were doing the same thing,” Mattingly said about the promotion during spring training.
“So, I wasn’t really involved to the point I am now. Obviously, we didn’t do what we were capable of last year, we didn’t think… and (we) just want to create more consistency out of our offence.”
Last season, the Blue Jays ranked in the top 10 among MLB teams in batting average, on-base percentage and 11th in OPS but struggled to push runs across the plate, ranking 14th in runs scored and 16th in home runs.
After being blanked by Astros righty Ronel Blanco on Monday, Toronto dropped to 16th in runs scored, 29th in batting average and 23rd in OPS for the 2024 season, prompting Mattingly’s return to a clean shave.
Outside of being no-hit, Blue Jays hitters have delivered an uneven start to the season, scoring eight, two, one and nine runs through their first four games.
You can watch as the new-look Mattingly and the Blue Jays attempt to get back on track Tuesday at Minute Maid Park against Framber Valdez and the Astros. Coverage starts at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.