In the ’80s, he was the “God” of the Yankees—a first baseman who was known for being tough and having a strong presence. However, after years of playing and coaching for the New York Yankees, he now says that his favourite team is not the Yankees, where he spent his entire career. Surprising, isn’t it! If not the Pinstripes, then which ballclub? It’s easy to assume the Aaron Judge & Co. arch-rivals would be the Red Sox, right? Surprisingly, it’s actually a different AL rival.

That Yankee legend is Don Mattingly, who donned the Pinstripes from 1982 to 1995 and is known as one of the best players ever. He won the Gold Glove nine times at first base, was the AL MVP in 1985, had a lifetime OPS of .830, and hit over 222 home runs. After he stopped playing, he stayed very close to the Yankees by coaching, first as a hitting coach and then as a bench coach from 2004 to 2007. However, in 2025, something about the mix of talent, friendship, and just plain fun in another clubhouse seems to have changed his opinion.

Recently, TV broadcaster Hazel Mae shared a conversation on her X account that surprised everyone. She wrote, “In a conversation I had with Mattingly prior to the finale vs. Astros, he told me: ‘This is the best team I’ve been around.’ Mattingly included, talent, likeability, team chemistry/camaraderie & fun in his assessment. He has really enjoyed being around, and coaching this group.” The twist? Mattingly wasn’t talking about the Yankees—he was praising their AL East rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays.

And honestly, who can blame him? The Blue Jays have impressed everyone with their season progress. From the very first game, they have made a statement. Interestingly, they beat the Yankees 6-4 in Dunedin in their first spring training game. With every game, they’ve gotten better.

They are 87-62 as of mid-September, which puts them in first place in the AL East, ahead of both the Yankees. Their run differential of +86 reveals that they aren’t simply winning close games; they’re winning by a good amount. Their 8-5 record against the Yankees this year also shows that they have earned respect in the rivalry.

Not only those numbers, but Mattingly also shares a great relationship with the team off the field. He became the Blue Jays’ bench coach in November 2022. In 2024, he was elevated to offensive coordinator, but he went back to being the bench coach in 2025. His effect has been more than just numbers; it’s been cultural. John Schneider, the manager, says that Don Mattingly has said that the Blue Jays players seem to be having a lot of fun on this run. The Hit man told the skipper, “It’s like the sandlot.” “These guys are just out playing baseball and having fun.”

Well, the Birds of the North are having a great time at the field. And it was on full display when they set a new franchise record..

History in the ninth: Blue Jays’ walk-off sparks franchise milestone

The Blue Jays did it again! On Saturday, they beat the Orioles 5-4 at Rogers Centre in a walk-off.

Prior to that, they were behind 4-2 going into the ninth, but Daulton Varsho’s single on a bunt loaded the bases. Then Ernie Clement’s single made it 4-3. Joey Loperfido hit a single that brought in a run, and then Andres Gimenez hit another clutch hit to knot it. Fans went wild when Alejandro Kirk hit a sac fly to end the game after George Springer reached on catcher’s interference.

Well, it was their 45th comeback win of the season, the most in franchise history since the 1993 team, which had 44. That record alone underscores just how often this club refuses to take any losses. And it was the whole team that contributed to the win.

Max Scherzer opened the game and had a tough first inning, giving up two runs. But after that, he settled down and retired 15 of the next 18 batters. He gave up two runs on four hits, walked two, struck out five, and threw a fastball that reached 95.2 mph over the course of five innings.

This win makes Mattingly’s praise seem real, not just talk. He said this is the best team he’s ever been on. Every night, the Jays show that their discipline, chemistry, and toughness are important. No matter if they’re behind early or late in the game, they always find a way to come back and win. With their current momentum, can they win the World Series after 31 years? Or their AL rivals, the Yankees, will beat them as they’re just behind them in the playoff race?