About Me
I was selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 1979 June amateur draft out of Memorial High School in Evansville, Indiana. On Sept. 8th, 1982 in Baltimore, I replaced Dave Winfield in left field, this was my Yankee debut. The Yankees called me up for seven games at the end of the 1982 season, and I played in 91 major-league games in 1983 before landing a full-time spot on the roster in 1984. I would play numerous games in the outfield before making firstbase my permanant home.
I was considered the premier first baseman of my era. In 1986 I set new Yankees marks for doubles (53) and hits (238) in a season, becoming the first Yankee since Lou Gehrig with three consecutive 200 hit seasons. During the 1987 season, I set or tied five remarkable major league records. I hit six grand slams to set a new single-season mark (I had never hit one prior to 1987). I tied Dale Long's 1956 record by homering in eight consecutive games from July 8 through July 18. My 10 homers during that period were a major league record for total homers in an eight game streak, and my streak of 10 games with at least one extra base hit broke Babe Ruth's 1921 AL record. The power streak ended on July 20, the night I tied the major league record of 22 putouts by a first baseman in a nine inning game. I was league MVP that year. I was also the 10th Yankee captain.
The following are my career stats:
BA (.307), Games (1785), AB(7003), R(1007), H(2153), DB(442;second to Gehrig), HR(222), RBI(1099), OBP(.358).
I matched my hitting with outstanding defense. From 1985 through 1989, I won five consecutive Gold Glove awards at first base. Along with Chick Gandil (1916-1919), I (1984-1987) hold the record of leading AL first basemen in fielding percentage for four consecutive years. On my retirement I was tied for the all-time lead with a .996 lifetime fielding percentage at first base .
From 1990 on, back problems led to a decline in my batting performance. Many say it was a direct result of my intense off season work regiment. I adjusted my stance to compensate for this in the later years of my career. I only wish I had done it sooner. My fielding prowess did not suffer, however; my fielding percentages actually got higher, and I led the AL three straight years (1992-94). In 1995 I had finally made the post-season hitting well in our losing effort that year against Seattle in the division playoffs. I made the most of it thou, hitting .417 (10-for-24), with 4 doubles, a home run and 6 RBI's.
In January 1997, I officially announced my retirement from baseball, having decided that my back problems would not allow me to make a comeback. At that time the Yankees announced that my number would be retired, with a ceremony to take place at "the Stadium". On Sunday, August 31, 1997, I became the 15th Yankee to be enshrined in monument park when my number 23 was retired.
On November 4, 2003 I agreed to become the Yankees' hitting coach. I knew I'd return sooner or later. Since my boys are grown now it wasn't a hard decision. I proudly served three straight seasons as the hitting coach and one season as bench coach. Unfortunately my relationship with the Yankees has ended (for now). I am now the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Don Mattingly, known to the baseball world as Donnie Baseball, the nickname says it all. What other sports hero has a nickname that involves the name of his sport? Can you think of one? The name was made popular by another major leaguer, Kirby Pucket, although originally coined by Michael Kay. Proudly known to his fans as the Hitman, an honor no trophy could ever replace. From the signature moustache, to the intense squint-eyed stare, to the elbow wrap helping him play through yet another nagging injury. These are just a few reasons why he will never be forgotten.
This page was created to honor one of the most beloved Yankees to ever "Don" the pinestripes.
