6 MLB Coaches Who Were Better Players Than Skippers

by Jeremy Block - 10/21/2025

MLB coaches who were better players than skippers Don Mattingly

Some players just have that “it” factor on the field. You know, the kind that makes you think, “Yeah, this person just has it.” Then, they hang up their cleats, grab a whistle, and step into the coaching world. For some, the transition is smooth, with no bumps in the road. For others? Well, let’s just say their coaching careers didn’t exactly live up to their playing days.

Look, coaching isn’t just about understanding the game; it’s about communication, motivation, and sometimes just keeping a team from falling apart in the clubhouse. Unfortunately, some players who were superstars on the field didn’t quite have the same effect when they took on a managerial role. Let’s take a look at six MLB coaches whose playing careers were way better than their coaching resumes.

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Ryne Sandberg

Imagine being a Hall of Famer, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, and one of the best second basemen of all time, and then switching gears to become a manager with the same energy you brought to the field. Sounds great, right? Well, Ryne Sandberg tried that, but his managing career didn’t quite measure up to his playing days.

On the field, Sandberg was something else—batting .285 for his career with an MVP and 10 All-Star selections to go along with it. But when he made the leap into the dugout? Let’s just say it was a different story.

As manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Sandberg’s teams never came close to living up to his Hall of Fame playing career. There was no “this guy’s got it” vibe coming from the clubhouse. His teams were mediocre at best, with each team failing to break 73 wins and never making it to the postseason once. While Sandberg had the talent to dominate on the field, those same skills didn’t exactly translate when it came to managing players and motivating a team.

Lou Piniella

Lou Piniella wasn’t the type to keep quiet—on or off the field. While he was known for getting under umpires’ skin, people often forget he was a player any coach would’ve wanted in their lineup. A career .291 hitter, World Series champion, and Rookie of the Year. But when he traded the bat for a clipboard, things got a little unpredictable.

Yes, he led the 1990 Cincinnati Reds to a World Series title and posted a record above .500 over his 23 years of coaching. But when you stack that against his playing days and the role he played on some of the most iconic teams in history, there's a clear difference.

The teams he managed were often inconsistent, and his style leaned more on aggressive outbursts and finger pointing, rather than strategic planning. In the end, while he had a few solid seasons as a coach, they didn’t measure up to his time as a player.

Don Mattingly

There was no denying Don Mattingly’s place among baseball’s best as a player. A pivotal factor for the Yankees throughout his 14-year career, Mattingly racked up nine Gold Gloves, an MVP, and six All-Star selections. But as a manager? Well, his time in the dugout wasn’t the same, by any means.

Was Mattingly’s 12-year managing career a disaster? Not exactly. But did it match up to his playing days? Not even close. He managed both the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers, but finished his coaching career below .500, with no major accolades to show for it. You’d think the guy who was once the heart and soul of the Yankees could build a powerhouse lineup, right? Think again.

Sure, Mattingly had some flashes of success, but he never replicated his on-field talent. Even with a few playoff appearances with the Dodgers, their postseason success was anything but consistent. Mattingly's story is a harsh reminder that playing the game and managing it are two completely different mindsets.

Ted Williams

If there’s any former player who really falls short of expectations as a coach, it was Ted Williams, and I mean falls really short. As a player, Williams posted a .344 batting average, smacked 521 home runs, won two MVPs, and earned 19 All-Star selections. But as a manager? A completely different story.

Williams took the reins with the Washington Senators (who later became the Texas Rangers) in the 1960s, managing for just four seasons. While fans loved him as a player, his managerial run didn’t exactly spark that same emotion from fans.

His teams weren’t anything to write home about, never winning more than 87 games or making a postseason appearance. Some players have that switch that allows them to transition to coaching with no hiccups. Then there are others, like Williams, who were outstanding players but just couldn’t handle that transition.

Frank Robinson

Following up on Ted Williams, how could we not mention Frank Robinson? As a player, Robinson was an absolute powerhouse, becoming the only man to win MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues. He finished his career with a .294 batting average, 586 home runs, two World Series titles, and a whole lot more. But as a manager? It wasn’t quite the same outcome.

Despite a 16-year managerial career, Robinson struggled to put together consistent lineups. Sure, he had a handful of seasons with a record over .500, but more often than not, his teams fell apart, failing to make the postseason even once. Robinson’s coaching tenure is still regarded as a bit of a letdown, especially considering how successful he was as a player.

Kirk Gibson

When you think of Kirk Gibson, it’s impossible not to picture his iconic 1988 World Series walk-off homer. And, let’s not forget, the guy had a solid career overall. Two World Series rings, an MVP, hit 255 home runs, and 870 RBIs over 17 years. As a player, Gibson was a pitcher’s worst nightmare to face in a big spot.

But as a manager, things were a bit different. Gibson took over the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010, and right out of the gate, things weren’t exactly smooth sailing. Sure, he led the D-backs to a division title in 2011, but that was the peak of his managerial career. From there, it was mostly downhill, with no postseason appearances after that.

Gibson’s teams had a tough time staying competitive, and his four-year stint ended with just one winning season and a single postseason appearance to show for it. Gibson might’ve been a legend at the plate, but as a manager, let’s just say his days were more “meh” than memorable.

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Start:	October 21, 2025 @ 11:59 PM
Expert:	Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy)
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6 MLB Coaches Who Were Better Players Than Skippers

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