CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Justin Crawford's face lit up when asked about his first encounter with new Phillies bench coach Don Mattingly.
It wasn't an introductory meeting that happened within the past month in Clearwater, Fla., or some chance run-in at some point throughout their respective careers in professional baseball.
No, this was a meeting that took place in the summer of 2012 after Crawford's big league dad, Carl, was traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers -- a team managed at the time by Mattingly.
"It was actually my dad's very first day. I went with him into the manager's office to see Donny, and I got to meet him," Crawford said. "And I still remember just thinking how cool that was."
Who could blame him?
Mattingly, in the third of his five seasons at the helm in Los Angeles, had a playing career that included an MVP Award, nine Gold Gloves and six All-Star selections. Any kid would have a vivid memory of meeting a baseball legend with that type of resume -- and a then-8-year-old Crawford was no exception.
And while Mattingly may not have the same recall of those earlier encounters -- "All the players had kids hanging around," he fairly points out -- Crawford has certainly caught his attention nowadays.
"I really like his demeanor," said Mattingly, who joined the Phillies as their bench coach this offseason. "His demeanor is kind of quiet, but he's not shy."
To that point, Crawford -- the Phillies' No. 3 prospect and the No. 53 prospect overall, per MLB Pipeline -- has had no problem quickly fitting into the clubhouse this spring. Expected to be the team's Opening Day center fielder, the 22-year-old's locker was placed among the team's veterans on the north side of the Phillies’ clubhouse this spring -- unusual placement for a non-roster invitee like Crawford.
Crawford, though, has been around big leaguers his entire life.
His own dad was a four-time All-Star and a Gold Glove winner. Carl Crawford began his career with the Rays, playing alongside teammates such as Evan Longoria and David Price. Prior to that 2012 blockbuster that sent the Crawfords across the country to L.A., Carl was sharing a Red Sox clubhouse with the likes of Hall of Famer David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Adrián González. As for those ensuing years with the Dodgers, the roster featured guys like Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez, among others.
"That definitely helped a lot," the younger Crawford says now. "I think just initially coming here and being around the guys, that shell-shock factor didn't really happen to me as much. That stuff helped me feel comfortable being around these guys quicker than maybe I would have."
That comfort level -- one not always seen from a player yet to make his MLB debut -- has been evident to Mattingly from the start of camp.
"He just goes about his business," Mattingly said. "He comes in the cage, and he does his work. He knows exactly what he wants to do in there. You can tell it's concentrated work; it's not hitting just to hit."
Crawford is soaking up whatever he can in Spring Training, whether it be from teammates or coaches. Fellow outfielder Brandon Marsh has taken the youngster under his wing a bit, forging a bond that should only help the two patrol the outfield together at Citizens Bank Park this season.
Crawford doesn’t hesitate to rattle off a number of other names when asked who he’s learned the most from over the first few weeks of camp. But he was as eager to get around Mattingly as anyone else once he heard the Phils had hired him.
“When I saw that, I was just like, 'Wow,'” Crawford said. “I was really excited, especially with his pedigree and his baseball knowledge. But it was crazy seeing him for the first time down here [in camp], because it was one of those full-circle moments getting back around him.”
If all goes to plan for the Phillies, Crawford will leave Mattingly with some lasting memories this time around.
"Usually when you get young guys who have good routines and go about their business," Mattingly said, "you know they're just going to get better and better."