1984 Profile: Don Mattingly

1984 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Mattingly played 91 games with the Yankees last year, showed he could play first base with the best of them and could play the outfield, too. He hit .340 in 159 at-bats at Columbus (AAA) last season- he's never hit below .315 in the minors. Not much home run power, but this line drive hitter could develop into a fine player. Mattingly struck out only 24 times in more than 500 plate appearances at Columbus in 1982.
He slipped through until the 19th round of the June 1979 draft because teams thought he was going to go to college. Mattingly was born in Evansville, Indiana. His brother Randy played pro football."

-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition

"You would think a good young hitter like Don Mattingly would be pleased to be on the roster of the New York Yankees, a proud organization with a history of winning.
You would think he would create no waves, pitch in and do what is asked of him. Well, you are right- he IS pleased and he DOES what they tell him to do, with one exception: Mattingly tries to make things difficult for the Yankees.
Surprised? Don't be. Mattingly is what is called a natural hitter because he has hit .300 every year since he was in diapers, every place he's been. In 1983, when Bobby Murcer retired, Mattingly came up from Columbus, put together nine and 15-game hitting streaks (interrupted by the famous Pine Tar Game) and shot his average to .330 before an inexplicable late season slump.
'That's the way I've always looked at things,' the 23-year-old outfielder says. 'I've never been content to get to .300 and stay there. If you can hit .300, whey can't you hit .310 or .320 or .330?
'I realize the situation here. The team has a lot of solid veterans and proven winners. But my feeling is this: If I can keep hitting, and prove I can play everyday, they'll almost have to find a spot for me. I'd love to stay in New York and play for a winner, but if the team thinks they can do without me, and they decide to trade me, I'm gonna make sure I do enough to insure the fact that they'll have to get an awfully good player to replace me.'
In reality, Mattingly isn't rocking the boat. He's a good hitter and, more importantly, he KNOWS he's a good hitter.
Be careful, Mr. Wade Boggs, or Donald Mattingly will replace you as the best young hitter in baseball."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"A terrific rookie season for Mattingly in 1983. He won the James P. Dawson Award as the top rookie at Yankee spring training camp and was in the Yankees starting lineup for the home opener. Optioned to Columbus on April 14, he hit eight home runs with 39 RBI and a .340 average there and was recalled on June 20 when Bobby Murcer retired.
Mattingly hit his first major league homer off John Tudor on June 24 at Fenway Park. He had a nine-game hitting streak from July 13 through July 23, was hitless in two at-bats in the Pine Tar Game (July 24 and August 18) and hit in 15 straight games from July 25 through August 11 for a 24-of-25 game streak. Don played well defensively in the outfield and at first base, and played one-third of an inning at second base on August 18 at the conclusion of the Pine Tar Game.
Don was named an International League All-Star as an outfielder in 1982, batting .315 with 10 home runs and 75 RBI. He struck out only 24 times while drawing 50 walks and 476 at-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 Southern League All-Star team as well as to the Topps Class AA All-Star team as an outfielder. He was drafted late as teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. Signed by Yankee scouts Jax Robertson and Gust Poulos, Mattingly has a .332 (611-for-1842) 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."

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide