Don Mattingly found himself in a familiar situation, one he had experienced a dozen years prior.
Back in April of 2014, while managing the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mattingly witnessed Carl Crawford deliver a game-winning, walk-off hit.
Fast forward to the final day of April 2026, and Justin Crawford replicated the feat, also securing a walk-off hit under Mattingly’s management, this time for the Philadelphia Phillies.
A father and son achieving walk-off hits for the same manager, twelve years apart.
Crawford’s Early Impact
Carl Crawford was a seasoned player when he had his moment. He was a veteran aiming to prove he still had the ability.
Justin, in contrast, is a rookie making his mark in the major leagues. The Phillies entrusted him with the Opening Day centerfield job.
He delivered Philadelphia’s first two walk-off wins of the season.
Doubleheader Drama for Philadelphia
The win on Thursday involved Crawford beating out an infield single as a runner from third base scored.
He didn’t have to wait long for a teammate to secure another walk-off victory. In the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader, Alec Bohm won the game with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th.
It was a suspenseful and exciting day for the Phillies.
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