1983 Profile: Don Mattingly

"The outfielder-first baseman could be like the rest of the rest of the Yankees prospects and get lost in the shuffle after all the free agents are signed. Mattingly looks like a good hitter. He played at Columbus before being called up late in the year, seeing action in seven games.
Born in Evansville, Indiana, Mattingly was not drafted until the 19th round, as most teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. He was Minor League Player of the Year for Nashville in 1981."

-Ken Nigro, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1983 Edition

"He may be only 22 years old, but this hard-hitting first baseman/outfielder has four pro seasons under his belt. Is he ready for the big leagues yet? Maybe. One thing is for sure: Mattingly has ransacked pitchers at every level he's played at- starting with Oneonta in 1979- and he can hit, hit, hit ...
The 6-0, 175-pounder spent the '82 season with Columbus, batting .315 with 10 homers and 75 RBI, which indicates the kind of consistent hitter he's been.
Signed as a 19th round draft pick after his senior year at Evansville (Indiana) High School, Mattingly proceeded to rack up some impressive numbers. Perhaps his finest all-around campaign so far came in 1980, when he hit a league leading .358 for Greensboro (with nine homers and 105 RBI) and was named the South Atlantic League's MVP.
Mattingly spent the final weeks of the '82 season in a Yankee uniform, and he seems destined to be a major leaguer soon."

-The New York Yankees Official 1983 Yearbook

"Mattingly was named to the International League All-Star team in 1982 as an outfielder, batting .315 with 10 home runs and 75 RBI. He struck out only 24 times while drawing 50 walks in 476 ab-bats. His outstanding season earned him a promotion to the Yankees in September.
In 1981, Mattingly was Yankee Minor League Player of the Year. He led the Southern League in doubles and was named to the All-Star team, and was also named to the Topps Class AA All-Star team as an outfielder.
Don was drafted late as teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. Signed by Yankee scouts Jax Robertson and Gust Poulos, he has a .333 (557-for-1683) career minor league batting average.
Mattingly attended Evansville (IN) Memorial High where he played baseball, basketball and football. He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Evansville. His brother Randy played pro football.
Don enjoys racquetball."

-1983 New York Yankees Information Guide