1987 Profile: Dennis Rasmussen

"Finally came into his own, doubling his career high with 18 victories. Rasmussen finished second in the league to Boston's Roger Clemens with a .750 winning percentage and led the Yanks with 31 starts and 202 innings.
He won seven straight from June 9 to July 22. The streak was highlighted by his first major league shutout, an 8-0 3-hitter over Chicago. Dennis missed two turns after being struck by a line drive off the bat of Texas' Toby Harrah on July 22, suffering a severe bruise above the left elbow. He left with a dislocated pinkie in his last start [of '86].
Dennis developed poise and maturity and wisely threw more fastballs and fewer damaging slow curves. He had spent most of the '85 season with Columbus (AAA) after an 0-3 start. He didn't get along with then-manager Billy Martin.
Selected by California in the first round (17th pick) of the June 1980 draft, the Yanks twice traded for him, the second time acquiring Rasmussen from San Diego for Graig Nettles and Darin Cloninger in March 1984. Born in Los Angeles, Rasmusssen played basketball at Creighton, which enabled him to oppose Indiana State's Larry Bird."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition

"What a difference a year makes. Remember spring training of 1986? With less than two years of big league experience, a career record of 12-11 with a 3-5 mark in 1985, Dennis Rasmussen had only a slim shot of making the Yankees pitching staff in 1986.
Now can you remember the summer of 1986? That's when this dark horse became a thoroughbred by beating the odds and emerging as the ace of the staff. The 6'7" southpaw did more for his team than lead the way at 18-6. He also provided a level of steadiness when it was needed the most. When many of his teammates faltered with injuries and inconsistencies, Rasmussen went from June 3 to August 10 without a defeat.
'Dennis has turned into the pitcher we all knew he could be,' says pitching coach Mark Connor. 'Everybody knew he had what it takes to win in the majors, and this year he became a top pitcher for us.' That was 1986. So now do you remember the spring of 1987? That's when Dennis Rasmussen went to camp not as long shot but as a major league winner."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Rasmussen blossomed into one of the best pitchers in baseball last year, finishing with an 18-6 record in 31 games (all starts), along with a 3.88 ERA (202 innings pitched), 131 strikeouts, three complete games, a shutout and a .217 batting average-against. Rasmussen finished tied for fourth in the American League with Mike Witt in wins, behind Roger Clemens, Jack Morris and Ted Higuera, and second in the AL in winning percentage (.750, 18-6) behind Clemens (.857, 24-4).
He led the Yankees in wins, games started and innings pitched, while finishing second on the club in complete games and strikeouts and established new career highs in all of those categories. His 3.88 ERA was the lowest of his career and was the third lowest on the team among pitchers with 100 or more innings. His batting average-against of .217 was the lowest on the Yankee staff.
Dennis barely made the Yankees' rotation as the club's fifth starter out of spring training, but got off to a good start, winning his first outing of the year on April 12 at Milwaukee (5.2 IP, three hits, two earned runs). He was 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA over his first three games. He suffered his first loss on May 1 at Minnesota, giving up his season high five walks, and then went 3-0 over his next five starts, May 6-29, with a 4.09 ERA. Dennis came up just short in two complete game chances in that interval.
On May 12 at Minnesota, he pitched 8.2 innings, giving up eight hits and six runs (all earned), along with his '86 single game of nine strikeouts and received credit for the Yankees' 9-8 win, but actually left the game ahead 9-3 with two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Mike Armstrong followed and gave up a two-run single to Al Woods and a three-run homer to Kirby Puckett before Dave Righetti got the last out. Dennis had a chance for a shutout on May 29 at Seattle, going 8.2 innings and giving up just three hits (all singles) with two walks and five strikeouts, but after retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth with the Yankees ahead 2-0, he walked Alvin Davis and was relieved by Righetti, who recorded the final out to save Rasmussen's win and their joint 3-hit shutout.
At that point he was 5-1 with a 3.95 ERA over his first nine starts, but lost his next outing on June 3 at California by a 4-2 score, despite pitching his first complete game of the season. From June 9 through July 22, covering nine starts, Rasmussen won seven straight decisions, going 7-0 with a 2.59 ERA (66.0 IP, 43 K). Included in that span was a stretch of six victories in six consecutive starts (June 24-July 22), with a 1.71 ERA (47.1 IP, 33 K).
In his win over Detroit on June 30 he was one out shy of a complete game (8.2 IP, 3 K), but was relieved by Righetti after giving up a walk and a single after getting the first two outs in the ninth inning with a 3-1 Yankee lead, with Righetti allowing one of those runners to score before saving Rasmussen's 3-2 win. In his next outing, on July 5 at Chicago, Rasmussen pitched the first complete game shutout of his career, beating the White Sox 8-0 while allowing just three hits along with four walks and seven strikeouts. It was one of only three Yankee complete game shutouts last year and it was the fewest hits allowed by a Yankee pitcher in a complete game in '86. At the All-Star break on July 14 he was 10-2 with a 3.33 ERA but was not selected to the American League All-Star team.
In his final outing of that seven-game win streak, on July 22 against Texas, he received credit for the Yankees' 9-1 win, but was hit by a line drive off the bat of Toby Harrah with two out in the seventh inning and was forced to leave the game. He suffered a severe bruise above his left elbow and was out of action for almost two weeks, missing two starts.
Dennis returned on August 5 against Milwaukee, and in his nine starts from that point through September 19 he was 3-4 with a 6.89 ERA (47.0 IP, 29 K). From there, he finished the season by winning his last three starts with a 1.13 ERA over those games (24.0 IP, 9 K).
He began that streak on September 24 against Baltimore, going 8.2 innings, giving up six hits and one run (earned). After getting two outs in the ninth inning with the Yankees leading 4-1, he gave up a walk and a single and was relieved by Righetti, who recorded the final out to preserve Rasmussen's win; it was the fourth time he fell one out short of a complete game. He did record his third complete game (and second complete game win) in his next outing on September 29 against Toronto, allowing six hits and one run (earned), which came on a Willie Upshaw homer with one out in the ninth, along with four walks and three strikeouts in the Yanks' 8-1 victory.
In his final start, October 4 at Boston (second game), Dennis gained his 18th win of the season, pitching 6.1 innings, giving up five hits and one run (earned) before being forced from the game with one out in the seventh inning holding a 2-1 lead after he dislocated his left pinkie attempting to field Dave Sax' base hit. Righetti recorded the final out in that contest to save the Yankees' eventual 3-1 win while setting a new major league save record (46).
Rasmussen allowed 18 homers in his final 15 starts. In his 31 starts the Yankees were 22-9. At Yankee Stadium Rasmussen was 8-2 with a 4.32 ERA and a .204 batting average-against, and on the road he was 10-4 with a 3.61 ERA and a .224 batting average-against. During the day he was 6-3 with a 5.05 ERA and a .262 batting average-against, and at night he was 12-3 with a 3.47 ERA and a .200 batting average-against.
Rasmussen started the 1985 season with a major league club for the first time as a pro. He threw his second career complete game on May 3 against Kansas City, allowing one run on five hits while notching his first win, and his other complete game came in a 4-1 loss at Seattle on May 22. Dennis struck out a season high seven batters on July 10 against Kansas City.
When optioned to Columbus on July 23, Dennis was 3-5 with a 3.87 ERA. He was 0-3 with a 3.80 ERA in seven starts at Columbus. He was recalled on September 1, making four relief appearances through the season's end, going 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA.
In 1984, Dennis went to spring training with San Diego, but was traded to the Yankees organization a second time in March in exchange for Graig Nettles. He began the season at Columbus and was called up to the Yankees on May 20. He made his first Yankee start on May 23 at Seattle, pitching 8.0 innings of shutout ball and striking out a career high 10 batters to gain his first major league win. Dennis won six straight decisions from July 7 to August 9. He was suspended for three days (September 19-22) following his ejection on September 11 at Toronto after throwing a pitch too close to Willie Upshaw.
Dennis began his pro career in 1980 with a 4-6 record at Salinas with a 5.45 ERA. He was 8-12 in 1981 for Holyoke of the Eastern League with 125 strikeouts in 156 innings pitched, and in 1982 finished second in the Pacific Coast League with 162 strikeouts for Spokane.
In 1983 Dennis was the ace of the Columbus [Yankees' AAA] staff, leading the International League in strikeouts and tying for the league lead in both wins and starts. He struck out 14 batters in a game at Charlestown. Dennis appeared in four games with the San Diego Padres (including one start) and was 0-0 with a 1.98 ERA.
Dennis grew up in Lakewood, Colorado where he was a baseball, basketball and tennis star at Bear Creek High School. He played college baseball and basketball at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a college teammate of the NBA's Kevin McKenna while playing against Larry Bird and Dave Corzine. Dennis is a grandson of Bill Brubaker, an infielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves, 1932-40 and 1943.
Dennis's hobby is camping and his favorite spectator sport is college basketball. His favorite team growing up was the California Angels and his favorite player was Steve Garvey. The greatest influences on his career have been Yankee pitching coaches Mark Connor and Sammy Ellis."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 Profile: Claudell Washington

"'It came as a surprise, a total surprise,' Claudell Washington said of the trade which brought him to the Yankees from Atlanta last June. Another pleasant surprise was the level of excellence at which the outfielder performed in the Yankees' pennant race a year ago. Washington saw his average hover around .340 with a pair of homers in the early stages of his Yankee tenure, before seeing his average dip.
On the defensive end, the 12-year vet also proved to be invaluable. Washington handled all three outfield spots, but was used mostly to spell Rickey Henderson in center.
With his good speed and base stealing potential, Washington could prove to be a real asset in 1987.
'I didn't wanted to be traded from Atlanta,' he says, 'but I was glad to be going to a good organization like the Yankees."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Claudell was acquired by the Yankees along with Paul Zuvella on June 29 from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Ken Griffey. At the time of the trade, he was hitting .270 (37-for-137) with the Braves in 32 games with 17 runs, 11 doubles, five home runs and 14 RBIs and was 4-for-11 in stolen base attempts. With the Yankees, he played 54 games and batted .237 (32-for-135) with 19 runs, five doubles, six home runs and 16 RBIs and was 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts. Overall with both clubs in '86 he hit .254 (69-for-272) in 86 games with 36 runs, 16 doubles, 11 home runs and 30 RBIs while stealing 10 bases in 17 attempts.
He started the season slowly, hitting just .211 (15-for-71) in 20 games through May 5 with two homers and four RBIs. In that span he missed four games after suffering a pulled groin muscle against Los Angeles on April 19. In nine games from May 6-17, he batted .333 (10-for-30) with three home runs and seven RBIs to raise his average to .248; Claudell went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs on May 9 against Philadelphia, then went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs (including the game winner) on May 13 at New York. After complaining of neck stiffness, however, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 19 (retroactive to May 18) and missed almost a month of action.
Claudell was activated before the game against Cincinnati on June 16. He played 11 games with the Braves following his activation until his trade, and in those 11 contests he hit .333 (12-for-36). Included in those outings was a 3-for-5 performance on June 18 against Los Angeles and a 4-for-5 outing (his four hits representing his season high) on June 23 at Los Angeles.
He made his Yankee debut on June 30 against Detroit, going 1-for-4, then went 3-for-5 against Detroit on July 3 including his first home run as a Yankee, a solo shot off Eric King. Claudell had another three-hit game on July 5 at Chicago, going 3-for-5 with his second Yankee home run, a solo blast off Gene Nelson.
After 11 games with the Yankees through July 12, he was batting .343 (12-for-35) with eight runs, three home runs and six RBIs (including two game winning RBIs). He hit .333 (6-for-18) over a five-game stretch from June 21-27 with three runs, two homers and five RBIs. At this point, after 20 games with the Yankees, he was hitting .281 (18-for-64) with 11 runs, five homers and 11 RBIs.
In his remaining 34 games through the end of the season, Claudell hit .197 (14-for-71) with eight runs, a homer and five RBIs. He entered 11 of his final 12 games in a pinch-hitting capacity.
Claudell started 29 games after joining the Yankees. As a pinch hitter with the Yanks, he batted .227 (5-for-22) with a home run (a solo homer off Walt Terrell on September 26 against Detroit) and two RBIs. Against lefties he hit .214 (3-for-14) with no homers or RBIs, and against righties he hit .240 (29-for-121) with six homers and 16 RBIs. Claudell is one of 34 players to perform for both the Mets and Yankees.
In 1974 at age 19, Claudell was called up to the majors with Oakland and was later named to the Major League Rookie team in just his third pro season. He tied a World Series record for most positions played when he played all three outfield positions in the '74 World Series. He batted .571 (4-for-7) against the Dodgers in that Series.
In 1975 he hit a career high .308 with the A's in 148 games, with a career high 182 base hits. His 77 RBIs is the second best single season total of his career, and he also had a career high 40 stolen bases. In 1976 Claudell hit .257 in his final season in Oakland. He was selected to the 1976 American League All-Star team and singled in his only at-bat.
Claudell was traded from Oakland to Texas for pitcher Jim Umbarger, infielder Rodney Scott and cash estimated at $100,000 in March 1977 and hit .284 with the Rangers in 129 games with 12 home runs and 68 RBIs. He began the 1978 season with the Rangers, but was traded along with outfielder Rusty Torres and cash to the White Sox for outfielder Bobby Bonds in May. In 1979, his only full season with the White Sox, he hit .280 in 131 games with 79 runs, 13 homers and 66 RBIs. Claudell hit three home runs against Detroit on July 14.
He was acquired by the Mets from the White Sox in June of 1980 in exchange for pitcher Jesse Anderson and tied three New York records: he hit three home runs in one game (at Los Angeles on June 21), three doubles in one game (against Atlanta on July 30) and had RBIs in seven consecutive games in July. The only others to hit three homers in a game in both leagues are Babe Ruth and Johnny Mize. Claudell was granted free agency in October 1980 and signed with the Braves in November.
In his first at-bat in an Atlanta uniform, he doubled as the leadoff hitter on Opening Night of 1981, later scoring. He led the Braves with a .291 average [that year]. Claudell had three game winning RBIs during the 13-game winning streak that began the Braves' 1982 season, including a two-run ninth inning single which won game No. 13. He helped lead the Braves to the National League West title. He was named National League Player of the Month for September because of his play down the stretch, and provided incentive to his teammates on a West Coast trip, inviting them to his home to view his World Series trophy, telling his fellow Braves 'this is what we're playing for.' Claudell topped the Braves in stolen bases (33) and triples (6), and tied Dale Murphy for club leadership in game winning RBIs and finished second in runs scored (94). He tied an Atlanta record with three stolen bases in a September 28 game against San Francisco.
Claudell had a disappointing 1983 season, although he did hit .278, and had just nine home runs and 44 RBIs in 134 games. He hit a career high 17 home runs in 1984 and batted over .300 most of the season before a succession of minor injuries limited his play to only two appearances after August. During the early part of the season he had 12 doubles, 11 homers and a .324 average at the All-Star break, earning him a spot on the National League All-Star team. Of his 17 homers, four were hit off Cincinnati's Mario Soto, including two in the same game on April 18. Claudell hit a first inning leadoff home run on five occasions. He led the Braves in stolen bases with 21, was second on the club in batting (.286), home runs, runs scored (62), RBIs (61) and total bases (195) and finished third in hits (119) and at-bats (416).
In 1985 Claudell started 90 games in right field but was platooned at that position in the latter part of the season. He hit .290 against righties and .206 in his limited action against lefties, and hit 14 of his 15 home runs off right-handers. He led the Braves with 14 stolen bases and six triples.
Claudell stole three bases in one game that year (April 25 at Houston) for the fourth time in his career. He hit three home runs in three games, June 1-4, and reached the 5,000 at-bat mark in his major league career with a home run on June 13 against Cincinnati. He batted .357 (15-for-42) with three doubles, two triples and a home run in a 12 game stretch from July 10-27.
Claudell graduated from Berkeley (CA) High School in 1972, and was a member of the track team but did not play baseball in high school. He was scouted while playing Connie Mack ball and signed by Oakland off the Berkeley sandlots following graduation during Charlie Finley's regime."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 Profile: Mike Pagliarulo

"A potentially great season was spoiled by a late season swoon. Pagliarulo collected 16 home runs and 40 RBIs in the first half, but did not hit a home run after August 24. His drought covered 99 at-bats and 31 games, and he ended with six hits in his last 56 at-bats.
An extremely hard worker who appeared to drive himself to exhaustion, Pagliarulo twice took batting practice after games. Too aggressive at the plate sometimes, he was platooned at third base to start the season after a poor spring training. He still must prove he can handle left-handers.
Born in Medrord, Mass., Pagliarulo was selected by the Yankees in the sixth round of the June 1981 draft. His father, Charles, was an infielder in the Chicago Cubs organization. Mike is an exceptional fielder, prompting comparisons to former Yankee third baseman Graig Nettles.
Mike suffered a broken nose when he was hit by a fastball from Oakland's Curt Young on June 1. He sat out one game, then homered in each of the next three."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition

"By clouting 28 homers with 71 RBI in 1986, Mike Pagliarulo has indeed established himself as a fixture in the Yankees lineup. With a lefty power swing tailor-made for Yankee Stadium and a gritty, hard-nosed determination, Pagliarulo is the prototype for the Yankees hot corner. After being hit in the nose with a pitch last year he earned the nickname 'Rambo' by returning [the next day] and stroking homers in three consecutive days.
'He's a threat every time he's up at the plate, and he's still gaining experience,' praised manager Lou Piniella. In the field and at the plate, this tough young man is, according to Piniella, 'becoming one of the best third basemen in baseball.'"

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Mike blossomed into one of the top power hitters on the Yankees as he hit 28 home runs last year, which tied him for 15th place in the American League in that category, and finished tied with Rickey Henderson for second place on the Yankees. His homer total was the third highest ever by a Yankee third baseman, surpassed only Graig Nettles' 37 home runs in 1977 and Nettles' 32 in 1976.
He began the season slowly, hitting just .215 (13-for-61) at the end of April with three home runs and seven RBIs. His single off Juan Agosto on May 12 at Minnesota broke an 0-for-17 streak against left-handed pitchers since the start of the season. Mike hit two home runs for the second time in his career on May 23 against California, solo homers off Don Sutton and Ken Forsch, and matched his single-game career high of four RBIs on May 25 against California.
Mike hit a home run off Milt Wilcox on May 29 at Seattle. The following night, May 30 at Oakland, he was hit in the face by a Curt Young pitch in the seventh inning. It was feared at first that he might have suffered some broken bones and facial damage that might cause him to miss an extensive amount of games, but the injury proved to be a hairline fracture of his nose, coupled with lacerations on the bridge of his nose and a bruised right forearm. He returned to the lineup on June 1 at Oakland and proceeded to hit home runs in three successive games, becoming the only Yankee to hit homers in three straight contests in 1986.
He hit home runs in back-to-back games against the Orioles on June 7 (a three-run homer off Mike Boddicker) and June 8 (a two-run homer off Ken Dixon), and in the seven games from June 1 through June 8 hit .333 (8-for-24), with five of those eight hits home runs, and added nine RBIs. In 14 games from May 23 through June 8 he batted .367 (18-for-49) with nine home runs and 19 RBIs to raise his average from .185 to .241. Mike went the next 22 games, from June 9 through July 3, covering 89 at-bats, with just two home runs yet had a season-high six-game hitting streak from June 6-11. He matched his single-game career high with four hits, all singles, on June 27 against Toronto.
Mike hit solo home runs on consecutive days in Chicago on July 4th (off Richard Dotson) and July 5 (off Joe Cowley), and matched his previous season high in homers by hitting his 19th of the season on July 9 at Texas. Two games later, on July 11 at Minnesota, he homered in the first of two consecutive games, a three-run blast, following that the next game with a solo homer. On July 18 against Chicago, he matched his single-game career high with four RBIs, including a three-run homer off Floyd Bannister, his second homer off a left-hander in 1986. In the 14 games from July 4 through July 21 he hit safely in 11, batting .396 (19-for-48) with seven home runs and 19 RBIs while raising his average from .253 to .275. Mike was hitting .262 with 21 homers and 49 RBIs at the All-Star break.
He went ten games, July 22 to August 1 (36 at-bats), without a home run or an RBI, then hit two solo homers off Ken Schrom on August 2 at Cleveland. He hit his last homer of the season on August 24 against Oakland off Dave Stewart, going his final 99 at-bats after that without a home run.
Pags suffered a pulled hamstring running out a triple in that game. At the time of his injury, he was hitting .257 (105-for-408) with 28 home runs and 68 RBIs in 118 games. The injury limited him to four pinch-hit appearances (1-for-4) over the Yankees' next ten games (August 25-September 3). In the 31 games he played following that injury, he hit .156 (15-for-96) with no homers, three RBIs and 31 strikeouts.
He finished the season with a .238 batting average and set career highs in games (149), runs (71), hits (120), doubles (22), home runs (28), RBIs (71) and game winning RBIs (8). Mike averaged one home run per 18.0 times at bat, trailing only Dan Pasqua and Ron Kittle in that category. He hit .258 (88-for-341) against righties with 26 homers and 60 RBIs, and .196 (32-for-163) against lefties with two homers and 11 RBIs
Mike had 27 multiple-hit games, including a four-hit game and six three-hit games. He hit two home runs in the same game twice and homered in consecutive games five times, including the streak of three straight. He recorded his first career stolen base on June 1 at Oakland was 1-for-9 (.111) as a pinch hitter with an RBI.
He played 143 games at third base, the most by a Yankee since Graig Nettles played 144 in 1979. His fielding percentage of .953 ranked seventh among third basemen playing 100 or more games. He made two appearances at shortstop- July 2 against Detroit and August 17 at Kansas City.
Pags became New York's regular third baseman in 1985 and averaged one home run every 20 at-bats. He was hitting only .165 through June 9 (15-for-91) with two home runs and 16 RBIs, then went 76-for-289 (.263) with 17 homers and 46 RBIs through the remainder of the season.
He went 4-for-6 on September 9 at Milwaukee, his first career four-hit game. He had his first career two-homer game on July 27 at Texas, hitting a pair of two-run homers good for four RBIs, equalling his career high. Mike was sent to bat right-handed [by Billy Martin] against Mickey Mahler on September 18 at Detroit, striking out with runners at second and third, two out and the scored tied 2-2.
He played 134 games at third base in '85 and had the third fewest errors for a third baseman with at least 100 games. Pags hit .278 in 22 pinch-hit appearances. He hit .254 in 126 games against right-handers, .151 in 12 games against southpaws. Mike's 62 RBIs ranked sixth on the club.
Mike made his major league debut on July 7, 1984 when called up from Columbus to replace the injured Toby Harrah. He hit his first big league home run on July 13 (second game) off Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen. He hit his first grand slam on September 18 off Baltimore's Dennis Martinez.
He played a full season at AA Nashville in 1983 and led Southern League third basemen in fielding with a .954 percentage in 133 games with 433 total chances (98 putouts and 315 assists). In 1982, he was named utility infielder on the South Atlantic All-Star team. Mike was signed in 1981 by Yankee scout Fred Ferreira and batted .216 in 72 games at Oneonta with two homers in 245 at-bats.
Mike graduated in 1978 from Medford (Mass.) High School, where he played baseball, basketball and ran track. In baseball he was All-State two years, MVP and captain. Mike played South Medford Little League, Medford Babe Ruth League and Medford American Legion baseball. He attended the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) and was a finance major. His father, Charles Pagliarulo , was an infielder in the Chicago Cubs organization in 1958.
Mike enjoys golf and going to Boston Celtics and Bruins games."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 Profile: Don Mattingly

1987 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Established Yankee records with 238 hits, breaking the mark of 231 set by Hall of Famer Earle Combs, and with 53 doubles, breaking Lou Gehrig's standard by one. Both records had stood since 1927. Produced 200 hits for the third consecutive season; the only other Yankee to do that was Gehrig, 1930-32. Put together the longest hitting streak in the AL, a career-high 24 games; he batted .430 (43-for-97) in that stretch.
Mattingly's .352 batting average left him five points short of Boston's Wade Boggs. His pursuit of the batting title was hurt by Boggs' decision to sit out the last four games due to an injured right hamstring.
This first baseman became a left-handed third baseman for three games as an emergency fill-in. He turned his first chance into a double play.
Mattingly was born in Evansville, Indiana and still lives there. He was selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the June 1979 draft.
In 1984, his first full major league season, he became the first Yankee to win a batting championship since Mickey Mantle in 1956, finishing with a .343 average, three points ahead of teammate Dave Winfield. Mattingly was AL MVP in 1985.
There's no one way to pitch to him. He tends to study the first pitch and adjust from there. His only area for improvement is baserunning. Mattingly his second Gold Glove in 1986."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition

"In 1986 Mattingly was either first, second or third in the American League in hits, doubles, total bases, extra-base hits, batting average, slugging average and runs scored. 'I've never seen anyone like him,' says Earl Weaver, the great Orioles manager.
But older New York fans will tell you that there was once somebody just like Mattingly- Lou Gehrig. A pair of guys who live by the work ethic.
To be young and a Yankee is one thing, but to have earned comparisons with Gehrig and Combs and DiMaggio and Musial is something else. Yet this is exactly where Don Mattingly sits today.
Mattingly entered the 1986 baseball season as an established star and came out of the campaign looking even greater- and coaxing comparisons with the greats of the past. Take Gehrig and Combs for starters.
Lou Gehrig and Earle Combs were members of that magical 1927 Yankees club, the most legendary- if not the best- team in baseball history. Both Gehrig and Combs set club records in 1927 that held up for nearly six decades.
Combs banged out 231 hits in 1927; Mattingly in 1986 collected 238. Gehrig's doubles production in 1927 was 52; Mattingly in 1986 stroked 53 two-baggers.
Surpassing Gehrig's doubles record was by no means a fluke, for Mattingly had been inching up on it ever since becoming a Yankees regular in 1984, a year in which he rapped 44 doubles. The following year he had 48 two-base hits, the most in Yankees history behind Gehrig's 52. That Mattingly would set a new standard began to seem inevitable.
Hitting doubles has become somewhat of a Mattingly specialty, as well it might for a left-handed hitter who uses the whole field and is just as likely to slice one down the opposite-field line as he is to pull one into the right field corner.
Don's doubles production in 1986 put him at the top of the American League for the third successive season, something no one in the junior circuit had done in the doubles department since Tris Speaker led the league four straight seasons, 1920 through 1923. The majors' record for doubles, 67, was set in 1931 by Earl Webb of the Red Sox. That record seems out of range for Mattingly only because he plays on the natural grass of Yankee Stadium. If Don played in Kansas City, say, on an artificial turf that permits the ball to skip through the gaps, Webb's record might be within his grasp.
But happily for Yankees fans, Mattingly doesn't play his home games in Kansas City. He plays on the same hallowed ground- at the same position- once anchored by the immortal Gehrig.
Gehrig. The name conjures up all kinds of images. A workhorse who gave his all every day he showed up- and he never missed a day.
By most accounts, Gehrig as a first-rate guy. He was quiet and considerate, once declining to pose for a cigarette ad because he didn't think it was a good example for kids. He was conservative and maybe even excessively frugal. And he was a homebody, some would say he was even isolated. But he is remembered for the dignified, professional way he conducted himself on and off the field; he was, indeed, the Pride of the Yankees. Most of all, he is remembered for his incredible playing streak of 2,130 games.
Gehrig was probably the most consistent power hitter ever, driving in and scoring over runs in 13 straight seasons (1926-38), an illustrious major league record. He topped 150 RBI in seven straight seasons! Jimmie Foxx, a noted longballer himself, once called Lou a 'more dangerous' hitter than both Ruth and Josh Gibson, the tremendous slugger of the Negro Leagues who reportedly studied Lou's hitting style and patterned himself after the Iron Horse.
Mattingly and Gehrig. The comparison is compelling. Gehrig was voted the Greatest First Baseman Ever during the 1969 observance of baseball's centennial, and Mattingly, quite possibly, is the best first baseman since Gehrig. In his seventeen-year career, Gehrig hit a robust .340. Mattingly, with his .332 batting average for about three and half seasons in the majors, is running only eight points behind Lou.
No doubt about it, Gehrig could ride a baseball, collecting a lifetime total of 493 home runs. He was a massively built slugger, a six-footer who carried about 200 pounds, with broad shoulders and thick oak tree legs. Mattingly, a smaller man, relies on bat speed to generate his power, as he did against Baltimore late last season when he took a high outside Don Aase fastball and, in a blink of an eye, turned it around, sending it deep into the right field bleachers at Yankee Stadium.
Although Mattingly hit .332 overall in the minors- the same as his career mark so far in the majors- he had only 37 home runs in 1,824 at-bats. Since reaching the big show, however, Don has nailed 92 homers in 2,223 at-bats. First he learned how to handle professional pitching, and then he found that with the proper weight shift, he could drive certain pitches out of the park, thus becoming a more productive hitter than he was in the minors.
A point to remember when comparing Mattingly and Gehrig as hitters is that the game today is much more balanced than it was in Lou's day, when the hitters dominated. RBI opportunities were plentiful in 1931 when Gehrig set the league's standing RBI record with 184. A Yogi Berra story perhaps makes the point. Playing for Norfolk, Yogi once got 21 RBI in a doubleheader, an accomplishment he put in perspective with the observation that 'there were a lot of men on base.'
So it useful to consider the context of the times when comparing Mattingly's 1986 season with Gehrig's 1927. Whether Mattingly measures up to legendary Lou isn't so much the issue; what is to appreciated- and, for Yankee fans, savored- is that Don has earned comparison with baseball's most famed first baseman.
Mattingly in 1986 not only out-doubled the Gehrig of 1927, he out-hit him as well, 238 to 218. However, his 86 extra-base hits (putting him first in the league for the second straight year) fell far short of Gehrig's 117 extra-base hits of 1927. And although Don led the league in slugging (again for the second year in a row) at .573, he came nowhere near Lou's .765 clip of 1927. Gehrig also out-RBIed Mattingly, 175 to 113, out-averaged him, .373 to .352, and out-homered him, 47 to 31.
Gehrig was the most durable of players, but Mattingly is by no means fragile. In 1985 Don led the Yankees in games played with 159, and in 1986 played in every one of New York's 162 games. Since the league schedule was expanded from 154 to 162 games in 1961, only three Yankees- Bobby Richardson (1962), Roy White (1970 and 1973) and Chris Chambliss (1978)- played 162 games. Mattingly, as they say, doesn't beg out.
In the area of defense, it would seem that Mattingly has the edge over Gehrig- maybe even a big edge- at first base. By most accounts, Lou was just an adequate first baseman- capable, but not outstanding. Mattingly, on the other hand, who has range and exceptional mobility, is in a class by himself. Nobody has ever made the 3-6-3 double play better. Nobody has quicker hands or a quicker first step. Nobody has his imagination for pulling off the impossible play.
Yankees manager Lou Piniella was in a jam in late August of 1986. His starting third baseman, Mike Pagliarulo, was hurt, and so Piniella in a bold mood asked Mattingly to shift to third for a few games in Seattle. Left-handed throwers like Mattingly are almost never stationed at third, but Don gave it his best shot and when the dust cleared, Seattle manager Dick Williams said Mattingly 'played like Pie Traynor,' the Hall of Fame third sacker. On his very first chance, as a matter of fact, Don fielded a hot grounder and calmly started a double play. It is unlikely that Gehrig could have turned a similar performance.
One final Mattingly-Gehrig comparison: in 1986 Mattingly became the first Yankees player to make at least 200 hits in three consecutive seasons since Gehrig did it in 1930, 1931 and 1932. Over the 1984-86 seasons, Don made 656 hits; over the 1930-32 seasons, Lou made 639 hits.
Mattingly's hit collection broke the club record of yet another fantastic Yankees player. Earle Combs may have had his greatest season in 1927- besides his 231 hits, he batted .356 and scored 137 runs; but the Kentucky Colonel wasn't as productive a hitter as Gehrig or Mattingly. He did hit .325 lifetime but, after all, Mattingly is at .332. And in 12 big league seasons, Combs belted only 58 home runs as opposed to Mattingly's young career total of 93. Combs was a leadoff man, however, and wasn't expected to hit the long ball. His job was to get on base for Ruth and Gehrig.
Mattingly can be compared to one other lifetime .325 hitter of some renown- Joe DiMaggio. When Mattingly tallied 145 RBI in 1985 it was the most by a Yankees player since DiMaggio's 155 in 1948. And Don's 388 total bases in 1986 were the most by a member of the Yankees since DiMaggio made 418 in 1937.
The pinnacle of the great DiMaggio's career, of course, was his unbelievable 56-game hitting streak in 1941. And while Mattingly has yet to approach the 56-game mark, he has had some streaks of his own. Following runs of 20 and 19 games in 1985, Mattingly hit safely in 24 consecutive games- the longest streak in the American League- in 1986.
Mattingly is like DiMaggio in at least one respect: he's a player who hits for power and yet doesn't strike out too much. The Jolter, in 13 major league seasons, hit .361 and fanned only 369 times. Over the past two seasons, Mattingly has cracked 66 homers while striking out only 76 times. In other words, Mattingly, like DiMaggio, isn't a flailing slugger.
Actually the player of the past than Mattingly most evokes never wore Yankees Pinstripes. Mattingly most resembles Stan Musial, the old Cardinals great. Left-handed hitters with unorthodox stances, they are the same size at about six feet tall and 175 pounds or so. Musial was an outfielder-first baseman and Mattingly played the outfield before establishing himself at first base with the Yankees.
Stan hit .331 lifetime and Don is at .332. Musial, like Mattingly, developed power after initially being a spray hitter. He hit as many as 39 homers in a season (1948) compared with Mattingly's career high of 35 homers (1985). Stan never won a National League home run crown, and Mattingly, for all his talent, might never win one in the American League. If he does, look out Triple Crown!
In 1986 Mattingly became the first American Leaguer in the league's 86-year history to make at least 230 hits, 100 RBI and 30 homers. It is a feat has been accomplished six times in the National League and Stan the Man in 1948 was the last to do it.
As far as two-base hits go, Musial, who led the National League in doubles eight times, had his career high in 1953 when he rapped 53 doubles. Mattingly, of course, equaled Musial's best with his 53 doubles in 1986.
'I know people are comparing Don's swing to Stan Musial's,' says Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, 'but they don't have to. Don Mattingly has his own swing. He doesn't need to follow anybody. He's is his own man.'
Mattingly's rise to the top of the baseball world has been meteoric. Following an all-around athletic career at Evansville (Indiana) Memorial High School, Don was chosen by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 1979 draft. He signed, began a string of outstanding seasons in the Yankees' farm system and joined the Yanks for good in 1983, although he was really only an extra hand, playing a little first base and helping out in the outfield. But he proved he could hit in that rookie season; a late-season slump deprived him of having a better average than his final .283.
Then, bam! Mattingly won the 1984 batting title with a .343 average, becoming the first Yankees batting champ since Mickey Mantle led the league in 1956. And the following year Mattingly knocked in 145 runs and was voted the league's Most Valuable Player. Then in 1986 he broke the sacred Yankees records of Gehrig and Combs. What can this guy do for an encore?
Coming into Boston for the final series of 1986, Mattingly anticipated a duel with the Red Sox' Wade Boggs, a duel to determine the American League batting champion. It never materialized- Boggs sat out the series with a pulled hamstring muscle. Even without the duel, Mattingly excited the Bostonians with his tremendous final splurge; he went 8-for-19 in the final four games, passing Combs along the way, hitting his 30th and 31st homers, and recording his 52nd and 53rd doubles to pass Gehrig.
But as heroic as these achievements were, Mattingly would have needed to nail 6-for-6 in the season finale to overtake Boggs, who won the batting title at .357. Although he didn't win the 1986 batting title, Mattingly was the first Yankee to top the .350 mark since Mantle batted .365 in 1957. Not only that, Don was the first left-handed hitting Yankees player to go over .350 since Gehrig- there's that name again- hit .351 in 1937.
Boggs and Mattingly are the supreme hitters in baseball today- two dynamite pure hitters. But there is a distinction to made between the two; while Boggs, who has won three batting championships since joining the Red Sox in 1982, is a line drive hitter, Mattingly is a line drive hitter with sock. Boggs has never hit more than eight home runs in a season. If producing runs is still the essence of an offensive player- and it is- Mattingly is a more valuable hitter than Boggs. Boggs has never had a 100-RBI season; Mattingly has enjoyed three straight.
One must remember that these two young superstars are still relative newcomers to the big league scene. No matter how great Don's success has been thus far, neither he nor Boggs has earned a free ticket to Cooperstown yet. Consistency- the kind of consistency that Gehrig had- is what it takes to make that trip.
'Players must prove themselves, unquestionably,' Mattingly says. 'Wade Boggs had to prove his batting title in 1983 was no fluke, and I guess I have to do the same. Deep down, however, you try to prove things to yourself. You know what you can do, so you go out and do it.'
The New York Times conducted a poll of major league players in 1986, asking who was the best player in the game. Mattingly, the players said. In 1986 Mattingly was either first, second or third in the American League in hits, doubles, total bases, extra-base hits, batting average, slugging average, RBI and runs scored.
'My performance on the field will not change,' Mattingly insists. 'I will bust my butt, day after day ... it's funny- when I'm on the field, I'm out there by myself. Not in the literal sense, but in the sense that I love the challenge and I can do my job. Everybody has problems- me, the fans, other players- but on the field, I have a job to do and I enjoy the challenge.'
It's not talent that separates Mattingly and Gehrig from the rest, it's hard work and desire. Proper work habits. Practice. Dedication. Gehrig had it. The kid from Indiana has it, too.
Don Mattingly has earned the right to be compared with the immortals of the game, and someday he may join Gehrig, Combs and all the other greats in Cooperstown.
'For my name to be mentioned in that category means a lot to me,' Don says. 'Growing up in Indiana, you don't hear much about Yankee tradition. But I've learned to understand what that tradition is all about and I feel honored to be even a small part of it."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"The 1985 American League MVP and runner-up in the '86 MVP voting behind Roger Clemens had another remarkable season, supporting a mid-season New York Times poll of 417 major league players that named Mattingly the best player currently in the game. He led the majors with 238 hits, a .573 slugging percentage, 388 total bases (leading the majors for the second consecutive year), 86 extra-base hits (also leading the majors for the second consecutive year) and 53 doubles (leading the majors for the third consecutive year- the first player to lead the American League or the major leagues three straight years since Tris Speaker from 1920-23).
His 238 hits broke the former Yankee record of 231 set in 1927 by Earle Combs; his 232nd hit, which broke the record, came in the second inning on October 2 at Fenway Park off Sammy Stewart. His 388 total bases were the most by a Yankee since Joe DiMaggio posted 418 and the most in the AL since Jim Rice's 406 in 1978, and equaled the fourth highest total in the majors since 1939; Mattingly became the 10th player to lead the majors in total bases two consecutive years, the first since Mike Schmidt in 1980-81, and the only Yankee besides Babe Ruth in 1923-24. His 53 doubles broke the Yankee mark of 52 also set in 1927 by Lou Gehrig; his 53rd came in the fourth inning of New York's final game on October 5 at Fenway off Jeff Sellers.
Don's final batting average of .352 was second in the majors, his 117 runs were third in the majors and third in the AL, his 15 game winning RBI tied for third in the majors and tied for first in the AL, his 113 RBIs were fifth in the majors and third in the AL, his .394 on-base percentage was seventh in the majors and fifth in the AL, and his 31 home runs tied for seventh in the majors and tied for sixth in the AL.
He went into the final series of the season trailing Boston's Wade Boggs .357 to .350 in the American League batting race. While Boggs sat out the four-game set with a sore right hamstring, Don went 8-for-19 (.421 BA) with five runs, two doubles, two homers and four RBIs. Given the number of at-bats for Mattingly in that series (19), he would have needed 12 hits to overtake Boggs (the averages would have been .3574 for Mattingly and .3568 for Boggs).
Mattingly was the first Yankee to hit .350 or better since Mickey Mantle hit .365 in 1957, and the first Yankee left-handed hitter to hit .350 or better since Lou Gehrig hit .351 in 1937. He became only the eighth Yankee to ever hit at least .352, [joining] Babe Ruth (eight times), Gehrig (5), Joe DiMaggio (3), Mantle (2), Earle Combs, Tony Lazzeri and Bill Dickey- all but Lazzeri are Hall of Famers. Mattingly is the first player to lead the Yankees in average, hits, doubles and RBIs three straight years since Gehrig from 1932-34. He's the first Yankee to record 200+ hits three consecutive years since Gehrig from 1930-32.
He became the 11th player in major league history, and the first in 27 years (Hank Aaron in 1959), to finish with at least 200 hits, a .350 BA, 30 homers and 100 RBIs- the others were Lou Gehrig (five times), Babe Ruth and Rogers Hornsby (three each), Chuck Klein, Jimmie Foxx and Stan Musial (twice each), Lefty O'Doul, Hack Wilson and Joe Medwick. He became the first AL player to record 230 hits, 100 RBIs and 30 homers (accomplished by six National Leaguers, most recently by Musial in 1948). His 53 doubles were the most in the majors since Hal McRae had 54 for Kansas City in 1977.
Don became the fifth Yankee to play in 162 games in a single season, joining Bobby Richardson (1962), Roy White (1970 and 1973) and Chris Chambliss (1978). He has played in New York's last 282 consecutive games (the final 120 of '85, 162 in '86), last sitting out on May 27 of '85. Don missed just six innings of play in '86: four innings on June 28 against Toronto (due to a bruised left index finger) and two innings on August 7 against Milwaukee.
His .996 fielding percentage led AL first basemen for the third consecutive year and he's the only Yankee to ever lead the league in fielding percentage three straight years at any position. He led AL first basemen with 160 games and 1,483 total chances, and won his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award.
Don hit .305 (50-for-164) with runners in scoring position, and his four-hit games came on May 6 at Chicago, May 17 at Seattle, June 19 at Toronto and June 20 at Toronto. He had two three-double games and two two-homer games, and his 79 multi-hit games led the club. He averaged just one strikeout for every 19.3 at-bats.
He was slowed in spring training by a bone bruise of the left thumb, playing only 16 of 28 exhibition games, hitting .300 with no home runs and six RBIs. Don recorded his 500th career hit with his first hit on Opening Day on April 8 against Kansas City, and notched his first career five-RBI game on April 21 at Kansas City. He did not hit his first home run until his 81st at-bat on April 30 against Minnesota off Bert Blyleven. Don tied the major league record with three sacrifice flies on May 3 against Texas and hit in 14 straight games, May 4-18, going 28-for-61 (.459 BA) with 11 runs, 11 doubles, three homers and eight RBIs, raising his batting average from .261 to .340.
A sac fly in the ninth inning on June 24 at Boston broke a string of 57 at-bats without an RBI that began with his last at-bat on June 12 (he went 11 games between recording RBIs 52 and 53). Don hit in 13 of 14 games, June 19-July 3, going 30-for-60 (.500 BA) with 14 runs, seven doubles, a homer and five RBIs, raising his batting average from .310 to .344; after June 24 his batting average never dipped below .334.
He made his first and only career start as a designated hitter on July 6 at Chicago, breaking a string of 201 consecutive starts at first base. With Mike Pagliarulo bothered by a sore hamstring, Mattingly made three appearances at third base, the first coming on August 29 at Seattle. He became the first left-handed third baseman since Mike Squires played 13 games at third for the White Sox in 1984, and the first such Yankee third baseman since Hal Chase played one game in 1908. Among the three appearances at third were two starts: the second games of doubleheaders on August 30 and on August 31, both at Seattle.
He had a career high 24 game hitting streak extending from August 30 (second game) through September 26. It was the longest streak of Don's career, and the seventh longest hitting streak in Yankee history as well as being the longest in the AL in 1986. Don hit safely in 44 of the last 49 games, going 77-for-149 (.387 BA) with 40 runs, 16 doubles, a triple, 11 homers and 34 RBIs. He hit safely in 81 of 97 games from June 18 on, going 153-for-403 and hitting .380.
40 of the 113 runs driven in by Mattingly were scored by Rickey Henderson. His season final batting average of .352 was the highest point reached by Mattingly throughout the year. His 677 at-bats in '86 is the fourth highest total in Yankee history, trailing only Horace Clarke's total of 686 in 1970, and Bobby Richardson's totals of 679 in 1964 and Yankee record of 692 in 1962.
His .332 career batting average ranks third on the all-time Yankee list for 500 games played, trailing only Babe Ruth (.349) and Lou Gehrig (.340).
In a phenomenal 1985 season, displaying prowess with bat and glove, Mattingly led the majors with 145 RBIs, 48 doubles and 15 sacrifice flies and led the American League with 370 total bases, 21 game winning RBIs and 86 extra-base hits. He was second in the AL with 211 hits, a .567 slugging percentage and 66 multiple hit games, third with a .324 batting average, fourth with 35 home runs and tied for sixth with 107 runs.
His 145 RBIs were the most by a Yankee since DiMaggio had 155 in 1948, and he was the first Yankee to lead the AL in RBIs since Roger Maris in 1961; he reached the 100 RBI plateau on August 20- the earliest by a Yankee since Maris and Mantle recorded their 100th on August 4 and August 6, respectively, in 1961. His 211 hits were the most by a Yankee since Red Rolfe's 213 in 1939 and is the seventh highest total in Yankee history (including his own 238 in '86), and Mattingly was the first Yankee to collect 200+ hits in consecutive seasons since DiMaggio in 1936-37. He was the first AL player to lead the majors in doubles in consecutive seasons since Tris Speaker in 1920-23, and was the first player to lead the AL in doubles in consecutive seasons since Tony Oliva in 1969-70. His 652 at-bats is the eighth highest total in Yankee history (including his own 677 in '86) and he was the first Yankee to have 600+ at-bats in consecutive seasons since Chris Chambliss in 1976-78. Don's 159 games led the team and are the second highest total by a Yankee at first base (including his own 160 in '86).
Don suffered a minor tear of the medial meniscus cartilage in his right knee in February while working out with weights at his Evansville, Indiana home. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage on February 22 and his rehabilitation caused him to miss the first 18 spring training games. Don made a spectacular spring debut, homering in his first at-bat on March 26.
He didn't hit his first [regular season] home run until May 5, off KC's Bud Black. Mattingly's batting average tailed off to .285 on June 8 following an 0-for-19 streak (his longest 0-for of '85), yet he had a 20-game hitting streak, June 22-July 12, the longest of '85 by a Yankee and then longest of his career- he went 32-for-81 (.395 BA) with 11 runs, nine doubles, three homers and 21 RBIs. He committed his first error on July 7 against Minnesota, breaking a streak of 153 games (1,371 total chances), dating back to June 22, 1984, of not committing an error at first base. Don also had a 19-game hitting streak from August 1-21, going 35-for-79 (.443 BA) with 25 runs, seven doubles, 10 homers and 21 RBIs.
Don drove in at least one run in 10 straight games, September 20-30, for a total of 16 RBIs. He drove in four runs in a game four times and drove in Rickey Henderson with 56 of his 145 RBIs. Don was the first player to lead the majors in RBIs and strike out as few as 41 times since Ted Kluszewski led the bigs with 141 RBIs in 1954 while striking out 35 times.
Batting second in 58 games, he was 85-for-242 (.351 BA) and batting third in 99 games he was 124-for-404 (.307 BA). He batted fourth twice, going 2-for-6.
The two games Mattingly missed came on May 26-27 at Oakland when he was suffering from a groin pull. He underwent minor surgery on November 12 to correct a catch in the extensor tendon of his right hand's little finger- little to no rehabilitation was required.
In 1984, Mattingly became the first Yankee to win the AL batting championship since Mickey Mantle in 1956, battling teammate Dave Winfield to the last day of the season, winning .343 to .340. He was named to his first AL All-Star team in his first full season in the majors. Don led the AL with 207 hits, 44 doubles and 59 multiple-hit games, was second with a .537 slugging percentage and was the first Yankee left-handed batter to hit .340 since Lou Gehrig hit .351 in 1937. He was the top road hitter in the AL at .364. He led AL first basemen with a .996 fielding percentage, making only five errors in 1,236 total chances.
Don had a terrific rookie season in 1983. He won the James P. Dawson Award as the top Yankee rookie in spring training and was in the starting lineup for the Yankee home opener. Optioned to Columbus on April 14, he hit eight home runs with 39 RBI and a .340 batting average with the Clippers before his recall on June 20 when Bobby Murcer retired. Don hit his first major league homer off John Tudor on June 24 at Fenway Park. He hit in 24 of 25 games, July 13- August 11, going hitless (0-for-2) in both ends of the 'Pine Tar Game' (July 24 and August 18). He played one-third of an inning at second base in the August 18 conclusion of that game.
He was named South Atlantic League MVP in 1980. In 1981, Mattingly was Yankee Minor League Player of the Year, led the Southern League in doubles and was named to the Southern League and Topps Class AA All-Star teams as an outfielder. He was named an International League All-Star as an outfielder in 1982 and his outstanding season earned him a promotion to the Yankees in September.
Don was drafted late as teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. He was signed by Yankee scouts Jax Robertson and Gust Poulos.
He attended Evansville (IN) Memorial High where he played baseball, basketball and football. Don played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Evansville. His brother Randy played pro football.
Don enjoys racquetball and maintains homes in both Evansville and Tenafly, New Jersey."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 New York Yankees Manager and Coaches Profiles

LOU PINIELLA (Manager)
"Piniella stepped into the most difficult job in baseball as a rookie manager and did well, piloting the Yankees to a 90-72 record. Despite minimal contact with George Steinbrenner over a long stretch and uncertainty over whether he'd be retained, he received a two-year contract and a substantial raise over his $200,000 first-year salary in October.
He showed more patience with starting pitchers as the year progressed. Injuries to the pitching staff forced him to start five rookies at one time or another. He went through six shortstops and four catchers. He got effort from his players to the end as the Yanks swept a season-ending four-game series in Boston to secure a second straight second-place finish. Piniella didn't go to a set lineup until early August and admitted that was too late.
Piniella retired as a player on June 17, 1984 with a .291 [batting] average in 1,747 games. He was named AL Rookie of the Year for Kansas City in 1969. An outfielder, he was traded to the Yankees with Ken Wright for Lindy McDaniel before the 1974 season and spent his last 11 years with New York, batting .295. Piniella hit .305 in five AL Championship Series and .319 in four World Series.
He was known as 'Sweet Lou' by fans, who responded to his fiery nature. He was born in Tampa, Florida."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition

"Lou Piniella's name has become synonymous with Yankees pride and tradition. As a player his trademark was a fiery intensity and a strong desire to win, an attitude which helped him to develop into one of the toughest hitters in the history of the game. This same intensity and work ethic also made Piniella a winner as a coach and a manager.
In his first year as a player, Piniella was named Rookie of the Year, and he would go on to become one the most respected hitters in baseball. His .295 career Yankees average places him in the top ten on the team's all-time list, and his best performances seemed to come in clutch situations- like a .438 [batting] average in the six-game World Series in 1981.
To continue listing all of Piniella's playing accomplishments would be both endless and fruitless, as Sweet Lou moved up the company ladder and now rests on his accomplishments as a major league manager.
'I think Lou Piniella did a fantastic job,' praised former skipper Billy Martin. 'The way he kept the team in the race, with all the pitching problems he faced, I think he deserved to be Manager of the Year.' While the rookie manager didn't capture the prestigious first-year distinction he did as a player (he was one of five managers to receive votes), Piniella did receive a reward for his accomplishments, a new two-year contract.
'We are pleased with Lou's performance as the club's manager this past season, and the experience he gained last year should make him even better,' said General Manager Woody Woodward. 'We are happy he will be returning for the next two seasons.'
Working with a much maligned pitching staff, Piniella guided the Yankees to a second place finish in the A.L. East, with the fifth best record (90-72) in the majors. Being determined and hard working worked for Piniella and it's working for him as a manager. When he accepted the job he said it was up to him to make the most of the opportunity, and he sure did.
'First as a player and then as a manager, I grew to understand and appreciate the Yankees' tradition of success, and I'm looking forward to beginning my second year as the club's manager."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Entering his second season as manager of the Yankees, Lou was re-signed to a two-year contract on October 10, 1986. He guided the Yankees to a 90-72 record last year, the fifth best record in the major leagues. Under his direction, the Yankees finished strongly, posting an 18-7 record over the season's final 25 games, including a four-game sweep of the Red Sox, to finish second in the American League Eastern Division. Lou was one of five managers to receive votes from the BBWAA for AL Manager of the Year.
Lou received three ejections- on April 26 against Cleveland by Tim Tschida for arguing a called third strike, on July 9 at Texas by Rick Reed resulting from an argument begun earlier at third base, and on August 2 at Cleveland by Rocky Roe for arguing a strike call. He served a two-game suspension in Chicago on May 5-6 as a result of bumping Tschida prior to his April 26 ejection.
He originally was named as the Yankees manager on October 17, 1985. Lou retired officially on June 17, 1984 and was named a Yankee coach, the position he held until named as Yankee manager. He was honored with Lou Piniella Day on August 5, 1984.
Lou was a consistent player, recognized as one of baseball's most professional hitters, and was always extremely tough for the Yankees in the clutch. His .295 lifetime batting average with the Yankees ranks him 11th among the team's all-time leaders. He was originally signed by Cleveland scout and former Yankee Spud Chandler. Lou was named by the BBWAA as the American League Rookie of the Year while a member of the Kansas City Royals in 1969.
He missed most of 1975 with an inner ear problem that required mid-season surgery. Lou returned to regular duty in 1976 and was runner-up to teammate Dock Ellis for Comeback Player of the Year.
Lou was always an excellent postseason performer. In 1977 he hit safely in all five ALCS games and in 1978 hit safely in all six World Series games. Lou hit safely in the first three games of the 1981 World Series to extend his personal World Series hitting streak to nine games; he led all Yankee hitters with a .438 average that Series.
In 1981 he led all American League designated hitters (50 or more games as a DH) in batting average (.344) and was second in the league as a pinch hitter (25 or more at-bats) with a .360 average. On August 24, 1981 Lou was asked to help the Yankee coaching staff as a batting instructor, working with his teammates on the fine art of hitting.
Lou was always one of the Yankees' most exciting players and fans welcomed each of his at-bats with chants of 'Lou, Lou.' He's a native of the Tampa, Florida area and is of Spanish ancestry. He enjoys the stock market and operates restaurants in the New York area as well as in the Kansas City suburbs."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


JAY WARD (Coach)
"When Jay Ward joined the Yankees as the team's hitting instructor, he provided one fine job reference- Lou Piniella, considered one of the finest hitters in the game. Piniella was a teammate of Ward's in 1967 with Portland, and the manager is excited about having Ward on his staff in 1987.
Jay's playing career spanned fifteen years, and while his term in the majors lasted for only 27 games, he added another 1,000 contests as a minor leaguer.
His coaching experience includes two years of managing in the Phillies' system and the last two seasons with the Reds, where he piloted their Class-A club to a second place finish in 1985 and their Double-A club to the league championship a year ago. Now Ward will be looking to make winners of the Bronx Bombers."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Ward joined the Yankees as the club's hitting coach on October 30, 1986. He served the past two seasons as a manager in the Cincinnati Reds' farm system. In 1986 he led the Vermont Reds to a 77-62 record and the Class-AA Eastern League Championship; in 1985 he led the Class-A Midwest League Cedar Rapids Reds to a 78-61 mark and a second place Central Division finish.
In the previous two seasons he managed in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system, at Spartanburg in the Class-A South Atlantic League in 1984 and at Bend (Oregon) in the Class-A Northwest League in 1983. Jay also managed in the Minnesota Twins organization in 1972 before spending the next 10 years in private business.
Jay played professionally as an infielder and outfielder for 15 years, including brief major league service with Minnesota (1963-64) and Cincinnati (1970), playing a total of 27 games with those clubs. He spent most of his playing career with various teams in the Pacific Coast League, including the 1967 season when he was a teammate of Lou Piniella's at Portland, and played in over 1,000 minor league contests before his retirement in 1971. He hit 20 or more home runs five times in the minor leagues and hit 241 home runs during his pro career. Jay hit grand slams in two successive innings against Holdrege on June 30, 1956 while with Kearney in the Nebraska State League. His .966 fielding percentage was tops among PCL third basemen in 1967 and he led the PCL with 35 doubles in 1969. He spent one season (1966) playing in the Japanese Central League.
He signed his first professional contract with the Yankees after graduating from Highland (IL) High School where he was an all-state basketball player and four-sport star. Jay played college basketball."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


STUMP MERRILL (Coach)
"Yankees tradition is built on winning, and Carl Merrill fits that mold. Since joining the Yankees in 1978, Carl has been a proven winner at every level of the organization.
From 1978 through 1984 Stump managed four different farm clubs with the Yankees, finishing first in five out of those seven seasons. In 1985 he took over a struggling Columbus club in May and led that team to a fourth place finish and a spot in the playoffs. Last season manager Lou Piniella promoted Merrill to his major league staff where he served as administrative coach, positioning the team's defense from a press box location.
This year Stump will have a more hands-on experience, serving as the team's first base coach."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Stump begins the 1987 season as Yankee first base coach. He spent 1986 as the club's administrative coach, with special emphasis on positioning the team's defense from his press box location as well as well as working with manager Lou Piniella on a variety of day-to-day responsibilities. Stump started the 1985 campaign as the Yankee first coach, then switched positions with Doug Holmquist on May 7, going to Columbus when Billy Martin returned as manager.
After spending his entire six-year playing career as a catcher in the Phillies farm system, Stump joined the Yankees organization in 1977 as pitching coach at West Haven. Prior to the beginning of his professional coaching and managing career, he spent time at his college alma mater [University of Maine, Orono] as assistant baseball coach under the late Jack Butterfield.
Stump joined the managerial ranks in 1978 at West Haven and led his clubs to the playoffs or to outright championships [five times in seven years]. He guided his 1978 and 1982 teams to league championships and was named manager of the Eastern League All-Star team in 1978. In 1980 Stump was Southern League Manager of the Year and All-Star Manager and led Nashville to a league record 97 wins.
He spends the fall and winter months as offensive backfield coach for the Bowdoin College football team in Brunswick and also enjoys officiating high school basketball."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


MIKE FERRARO (Coach)
"They say you can never go back, but somehow Mike Ferraro keeps making his way back to the Yankees. Mike is rejoining the team as third base coach in 1987, the post he held with the Yankees from 1979 through 1982.
He played four years in the majors, including his rookie year with the Yankees in 1966 and a return to Pinstripes for part of the 1968 season. During that year he tied a major league record for most assists by a third baseman in one game with 11.
His success in the organization continued when he managed five seasons (1974-78) in the Yankees' farm system, where he enjoyed a 331-221 record (.600); he never had a losing record. Following the 1982 season, Mike spent two and a half seasons as Dick Howser's third base coach in Kansas City before being named interim manager of the Royals [last] July.
So again in 1987, Ferraro returns to the Yankees, where he hopes to continue years of Pinstripe success."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Ferraro rejoined the Yankees as the club's third base coach on October 21, 1986. He previously served as a Yankee coach for four seasons, from 1979 through 1982, and then was named manager of the Cleveland Indians in 1983. Ferraro posted a record of 40-60 with the Tribe through July 31, 1983 before being relieved of his duties.
He spent two and a half seasons as Dick Howser's third base coach with the Kansas City Royals until being named their interim manager on July 17, 1986. He continued in that role through the completion of the 1986 season.
Prior to his major league coaching and managing experience, he managed five seasons (1974-78) in the Yankee farm system, compiling a 331-221 (.600) record and never had a losing year. Mike led Oneonta (Class-A) to the New York-Penn League title in 1974 and concluded his minor league managing career with a Pacific Coast League championship at Tacoma in 1978.
Mike was the 1964 Player of the Year in the Florida State League (.317, 158 hits, 77 RBIs in 139 games). He played four seasons in the majors, including parts of the 1966 and 1968 seasons with the Yankees. Mike has a career .232 batting average with a pair of home runs and 30 RBIs in 162 games. He tied a major league record on September 14, 1968 for most assists by a third baseman, 11, while playing for the Yankees against the Washington Senators. Mike retired in 1972 following a season with Milwaukee.
A standout high school athlete, Mike scored a school record 53 points, shooting 24-for-30 from the floor, for the Kingston (NY) High School basketball team in 1961."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


JEFF TORBORG (Coach)
"Led by Dave Righetti's save record, the Yankees bullpen captured the award for the best pen in baseball on the Rolaids relief system in 1986. It was an important accomplishment in light of the problems with the starters, and just as steady with the relievers was bullpen coach Jeff Torborg.
As the faces of the coaching staff continue to change, he goes seemingly unnoticed, quietly and confidently going about his job. Having been with the Yankees since 1979, the coach offers a wide variety of experience to the team's relief corps. As manager of the Indians from 1977-79, and having played in the majors as a catcher for ten years, Torborg offers a wealth of varied experience and knowledge to today's players. One important lesson he teaches his bullpen pitchers is how to win. In his day, Torborg played on a World Champion and a N.L. pennant winner, caught three no-hitters and two single-season strikeout records. He knows what it takes to be a winner."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Torborg serves as Yankee bullpen coach. He joined the Yankee coaching staff on August 1, 1979 after his dismissal as manager of the Indians on July 23. He had managed the Tribe since June 19, 1977, compiling a record of 157-201, and prior to that was a coach for the Indians beginning with the 1975 season, serving under Frank Robinson.
He played 10 years in the majors, seven with the Dodgers and three with the Angels. He played on the World Champion Dodgers in 1965 and on their NL pennant winner in 1966. Jeff caught two no-hitters with the Dodgers, by Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Bill Singer in 1970, and also caught a Nolan Ryan no-hitter with the Angels in 1973; the major league record for no-hitters caught is four by Ray Schalk. He was also behind the plate when Don Drysdale threw his fifth consecutive shutout in 1968, and caught Koufax and Ryan when they set single season strikeout records. Jeff retired after the 1973 season.
A native of northern Jersey, Jeff earned a B.S. in education from Rutgers and has a Masters degree in athletic administration from Montclair State. His thesis was on the effects of platooning in baseball. In his senior year at Rutgers, Jeff hit .537 to lead the NCAA in batting and set a record that still stands.
He is a contributing author to a variety of baseball publications and recently was appointed to the New Jersey Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


MARK CONNOR (Coach)
"The Yankees have been known for changing pitching coaches almost as often as they change managers, so the fact that Mark Connor will be holding that job again in 1987 is a tribute to the way he molded the pitching staff last season. Mark had the unenviable task of keeping the Yankees pitching steady despite injuries, slumps and the arrival of several young and inexperienced pitchers, and he came through like the winner he has been.
After joining the Yankees organization in 1978, Mark climbed the company ladder to the major leagues, going from being the pitching coach at Paintsville in 1978 to Columbus in 1982. His first stint as a major league pitching instructor began in June 1984 and lasted for over a year, until he assumed his duties as the roving organizational coach. Connor joined Piniella's staff in May 1986 and, after achieving miraculous results last year, is back with the team again in 1987."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Mark begins the season as the Yankees' pitching coach, a role he assumed on May 17, 1986 after starting the '86 campaign as the club's minor league pitching coach. This is his second stint as the Yankees' pitching coach, having previously been named to that position on June 18, 1984. Mark served in that capacity for over a year before assuming other organizational responsibilities.
Prior to his promotion to the Yankees mid-way through the '84 season he was in his second year as pitching coach for the club's AAA farm team at Columbus. Mark also served as pitching coach at Greensboro for three seasons (1980-82), as a Yankee scout in 1979 (his first year with the organization) and as a pitching coach at Paintsville (1978). He was pitching coach at the University of Tennessee from 1974-78.
Mark graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York in 1967. He attended Belmont Abbey College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College, where he received the Topps Award as a college All-Star in 1970. He struck out 20 Columbia University batters in a 1971 game.
He spent two seasons in the Twins' minor league system. Mark attended graduate school for his Master's degree at the University of Tennessee in 1974-75 before beginning his coaching career."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


STAN WILLIAMS (Coach)
"You may not have heard his name in recent years, but he's been around. Stan Williams rejoins the Yankees coaching ranks in 1987, continuing his long-term affiliation with the organization.
Since he joined the club in 1979 as a pitching coach for the International League Columbus Clippers, Williams has been with the Yankees in all but one season (1984). During his tenure he has served as a major league pitching coach, a scout, and for the past two seasons as a special assignment scout.
In 1958 he began his [major league] playing days with a 2-hit, 1-0 shutout for the Dodgers at Wrigley Field. He would go on to have a 21-year pitching career, including two years in Pinstripes (1963-64).
Williams brings his wealth of experience back to the playing field as he splits his duties as a pitching coach and administration coach in 1987."

-The New York Yankees Official 1987 Yearbook

"Stan continues his association with the Yankees in 1987, this year splitting his coaching responsibilities between pitching and administration. He has been a member of the Yankee organization for all but one year since 1979 (in 1984 he was pitching coach at Cincinnati under Vern Rapp, and held that position until Pete Rose took over as manager). Upon leaving the Reds, Stan rejoined the Yankees wearing the hats of major league scout, special assignment scout and advance scout- positions held through the '85 and '86 seasons.
He originally joined the Yankee organization in 1979 as pitching coach for Gene Michael's International League Champion Columbus Clippers. Stan was the Yankee pitching coach in 1980 when the Yankees were second in the A.L. in ERA and led the league in shutouts, saves and fewest home runs allowed. In 1981 he began the year as Yankee coach, but was delegated other responsibilities just prior to the All-Star Game. In 1982 he was a major league scout during spring training, then pitching coach when Gene Michael was named manager. After Clyde King replaced Michael as manager on August 3, Stan became an advance scout before ending the season as pitching coach at Columbus.
Stan was Bob Lemon's pitching coach with the White Sox in 1977 and '78. He previously served as the Red Sox pitching coach in 1975 and '76.
He pitched for 21 years, finishing as a player-manager at Bristol in 1974. He came up to the majors with the Dodgers in 1958 and pitched a 2-hit, 1-0 shutout in Wrigley Field in his debut. He made a relief appearance against the White Sox in the 1959 World Series. Stan spent five years with the Dodgers, winning 57 games, and then was traded to the Yankees for Bill Skowron in November of 1962.
He pitched with the Yankees for two years, then was traded to Cleveland where he remained from 1965 through 1969. He went to the Twins after '69 along with Luis Tiant in exchange for Dean Chance, Bob Miller, Ted Uhlander and Graig Nettles. Stan appeared in 68 games for Minnesota in 1970, going 10-1 with a 1.99 ERA. He finished up [his major league career] with Boston in 1972, and on June 29, 1974 pitched a seven inning, 9-0 no-hit victory [for Bristol] against Quebec City in the second game of a doubleheader. Stan has also managed in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
In a 10-day span last September, Stan turned 50, celebrated the birth of his first grandchild, notched a hole-in-one at the Hartwell Golf Course in Long Beach and hit a 'pick-six' at Hollywood Park."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 New York Yankees Management Profiles

M. DAVID WEIDLER (Administrative Vice-President and Treasurer)
"Dave Weidler is beginning his fourth season as the Yankees' Administrative Vice-President and Treasurer, and his 18th year with the club. He joined the Yankees in April 1969 to supervise the accounting department and was named Director of Accounting in 1973 when George Steinbrenner and his associates purchased the club. Weidler was named Controller in 1977, and to his current position in 1983.
In addition to his day-to-day business and financial responsibilities within the organization, he has supervised the Yankees' growth in such varied areas as television, radio, publications, merchandising and ticketing.
A native of the Bronx, Weidler received his B.B.A. degree from Iona College."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


WILLIAM F. DOWLING (Vice-President and General Counsel)
"Bill Dowling is beginning his second season as Vice-President and General Counsel of the Yankees. In that role he is responsible for handling the team's legal matters, as well as other organizational duties.
Dowling joined the Yankees from the New York State Attorney General's Office, where he spent six and a half years as Deputy Chief Assistant Attorney General. He formerly served as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.
Dowling, a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, received his J.D. degree from Boston College Law School and his B.A. degree from Columbia University."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


WOODY WOODWARD (Vice-President and General Manager)
"Woody Woodward was named Vice-President and General Manager of the Yankees on October 10, 1986 after serving two years as the club's Vice-President of Baseball Administration. In making the announcement of Woodward's appointment, Yankee Principal Owner George Steinbrenner said, 'Woody is recognized as one of the outstanding young executives in baseball, and in his tenure with the Yankees has earned the respect of those who have worked with him. I am confident that he will continue to build upon the club's tradition of excellence and will prove to be an outstanding general manager. He has been groomed for the position and certainly is ready to assume those responsibilities.'
Woodward, 44, originally joined the Yankees on October 22, 1984, and in his two years as Vice-President of Baseball Administration was responsible for player contract negotiations, player personnel evaluation and supervised the team's minor league system. Under his direction, the Yankees won the 1985 Topps Award given to the club with the best overall minor league organization.
Before joining the Yankees, Woodward was the Assistant General Manager of the Cincinnati Reds for four seasons, where he handled a variety of baseball administrative responsibilities. He also served two and half years as the Reds' minor league field coordinator.
Woodward spent eight and a half seasons playing in the major leagues as an infielder with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds. A former coach and All-America player at Florida State University, Woodward earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education. He coached his alma mater from 1975 to 1978, recording the second best winning percentage in Seminole history (170-57, a .749 won-lost percentage)."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide


BOB QUINN (Vice-President of Baseball Administration)
"Bob Quinn, Yankee Vice-President of Baseball Administration, is beginning his first full season with the team. He joined the club on September 22, 1986 as Assistant Vice-President and was named to his current position on October 10.
Before joining the Yankees, he spent 12 years with the Cleveland Indians, beginning in 1973 as Director of Scouting and Minor League Operations and eventually assumed the responsibility of Vice-President of Player Development and Scouting.
Quinn, 50, has an extensive baseball background, beginning with his tenure as General Manager of the Eau Claire club of the Northern League (1959-60). After a stint in private business, he returned to baseball as GM of the Reading (PA) Phillies of the AA Eastern League (1967-68), where he was named the 1967 Minor League Executive of the Year. He served as GM of the AAA Omaha Royals of the American Association (1969-70), where he was again named Executive of the Year, in 1969. He moved up to the major leagues as Director of Minor League Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers (1971-72) before joining the Indians.
Quinn comes a legendary baseball family; his grandfather J.A. Quinn was general manager of four major league clubs, his father John was GM of the Boston Braves for 23 years and the Philadelphia Phillies for 13 years, and his brother Jack is President of the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 Profile: George Steinbrenner

Principal Owner
"Every young man searching for his own place in today's world would be well advised to heed the advice and example of sportsman, business executive and civic leader George M. Steinbrenner.
Steinbrenner, a national figure before he was 40, offers a succinct basic formula for success. 'Work as hard as you ask others to. Strive for what you believe is right, no matter the odds. Learn that mistakes can be the best teacher of all.' Certainly the meteoric career of this energetic son of a distinguished Great Lakes shipping family bears out the practical results of these simple beliefs.
In 1963, he entered the business world in earnest. In a way, it was a difficult adjustment for a man who had already been an assistant football coach at two Big Ten universities, Northwestern and Purdue, and put together national championship teams in both the National Industrial and American Basketball Leagues.
In the business world, Steinbrenner is Chairman of the American Shipbuilding Company which he and associates took over and revitalized in 1967. Under his early leadership American Ship tripled its annual revenues and since has climbed to the $200 million mark in annual sales.
In 1973, Steinbrenner put together the group which purchased the New York Yankees from CBS. As the Principal Owner, it took only five years for his keen foresight and aggressive leadership to turn the Yankees, once again, into World Champions.
Apart from corporate business and civic involvements, he devotes a great deal of time to his extensive interest in thoroughbred breeding and racing which includes his 800 acre stud farm in Florida, The Florida Breeders Sales Company and Florida Horse Magazine. In 1983 he was honored as the Industrialist of the Year in Florida."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 Hall of Fame Inductee: Jim Hunter

1987 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM CAPTAIN
"Voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA on January 14, 1987, Catfish Hunter became a household name in December of 1974 when virtually every baseball club jumped at the chance to sign the year's Cy Young Award winner. The Yankees were his choice, and his signing was announced on New Year's Eve.
His 25 wins in 1974 and 23 in 1975 led the American League, and culminated a string of five consecutive seasons of 20+ wins. Catfish became a former member of the Oakland A's after an arbitration panel ruled that the club had failed to live up to its contractual obligations to Hunter.
With his election to the Hall of Fame, there is little no doubt that he was one of the premier pitchers in baseball history. In 1976 he became only the fourth pitcher in this century to record his 200th victory prior to his 31st birthday, joining Cy Young, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson. In 1975 he joined Johnson and Lefty Grove as the only A.L. pitchers to win 20+ in five straight seasons. An eight-time All-Star, Jim was a big leaguer for all or part of 15 seasons, and was a regular starting pitcher since the age of 19. On the all-time lists he is 27th with a 3.26 ERA, 37th with 2,012 strikeouts and 38th with 42 shutouts.
Jim was runner-up for the 1975 Cy Young Award. In '75, his first season as a Yankee, he pitched more complete games than any American Leaguer since Bob Feller in 1946, and pitched more innings than any Yankee since Carl Mays in 1921.
He first achieved fame at the 1967 All-Star Game in Anaheim, the first to air on prime time TV, when he threw five innings of relief and finally lost on a Tony Perez home run in the 15th. In 1968 he pitched a 4-0 perfect game against Minnesota, in only the 12th home game played in Oakland.
By 1971 Hunter had mastered his game as a control artist and led Oakland to four straight division titles, and World Championships from 1972-74. He suffered a broken right thumb in the 1973 All-Star Game when Billy Williams hit him with a line drive through the box. Jim finished sixth in the 1974 MVP voting.
Jim was an outstanding fielder and an accomplished hitter (149-658, .227 BA with six homers and 51 RBIs). His longest win streak was 13 in 1973. In addition to his perfect game, he has a 1-hitter and five 2-hitters, the 1-hitter coming as a Yankee on May 31, 1975 in a 6-0 win at Texas- 88 pitches, no walks and four strikeouts. His career high in strikeouts is 12 (twice) and his longest outing was 13 innings, was accomplished August 27, 1976 at California (no runs, 11 hits).
He was 23-14 in his first year with the Yankees, the most wins at that point by a Yankee since Whitey Ford's 24 in 1963. 1976 was an off-year for Cat, going 17-15 with a 3.52 ERA, but he disclosed at the season's end he was suffering some arm trouble. He split two decisions in the '76 ALCS.
Jim's 1977 was plagued by injury; he suffered a bruised left instep on Opening Day, spending almost a month on the D.L., then was bothered by a sore shoulder. Jim was on the disabled list twice in 1978, with a sore right shoulder. He had the shoulder manipulated by Dr. Maurice Cowen on June 26. He returned from the D.L. on July 17, and was 10-3 from that point on.
He came back in 1978 to win 12 of 18 decisions, including a 6-0 mark August when New York forged that tremendous comeback over Boston. He finished 1978 winning nine of his last 11 decisions. In his 6-0 August he had a 1.64 ERA. Over his last 12 regular season starts, he was 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA, lowering his season ERA from 6.51 to 3.58. He finished second to Mike Caldwell for the AL's Comeback Player of the Year. Cat was the winning pitcher in the World Series clinching victory over the Dodgers.
Hunter announced his retirement during the 1979 season and was honored with Catfish Hunter Day at Yankee Stadium on September 16. He retired at the tender age of 33. Of his tenure with the Yankees, owner George Steinbrenner said, 'He was the first to teach us how to win- what it means to be a winner.'
He was the youngest of eight children. His father was a tenant farmer in Hertford, North Carolina. Jim was a great athlete at Perquimans High School, making All-State in baseball, football and track. He also played Little League and Babe Ruth ball in his native Hertford, American Legion ball in nearby Ahoskie, and semi-pro ball in Wanchese. He rooted for the Indians as a youngster, with Jimmy Piersall his favorite player.
His four brothers helped his development as a player (Jim had four brothers and three sisters). A brother accidentally shot him in the foot while hunting in 1964, causing the loss of the small toe on his right foot. The accident caused most clubs to lose interest in him, but Kansas City scout Clyde Kluttz stayed with him and signed him, although Jim was unable to play in 1964; [hence], he's never played in the minor leagues. A's owner Charlie Finley, feeling the need for a colorful nickname, invented 'Catfish.'
Jim still lives in Hertord, owning and running a farm of his own, and enjoys hunting and fishing. He coaches his son's Little League team and joins the Yankees at spring training to lend his expertise to the instruction of younger pitchers. Jim is diabetic, and does much charitable work for various diabetes organizations."

-1987 New York Yankees Information Guide

1987 New York Yankees Outlook

HITTING
"Only three AL clubs generated more runs than the Yankees' 797, only one posted a higher average than their .271 mark and two had more homers than their 188 in 1986. This hard-to-match attack is highlighted by Don Mattingly (.352, 31 homers, 113 RBI), simply the best player of his time, and Rickey Henderson (.263, 28, 74, 87 stolen bases), one of the best leadoff hitters and [one of the best] base stealers of all time.
Throw in Dave Winfield (.262, 24, 104), and developing youngsters Dan Pasqua (.293, 16, 45) and Mike Pagliarulo (.238, 28, 71) and it's obvious that the Yankees can get by with a minimum offensive contribution from catcher and shortstop. The signing of Texas free agent Gary Ward (.316, 5, 51 in 105 games) provides a right-handed designated hitter and platoon left fielder to complement left-handed hitters Claudell Washington (.237, 6, 16 RBI in 54 games) and Pasqua."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition

PITCHING
"The 1986 staff limped home with a 4.11 ERA, the ninth highest mark in the AL, and kept the Yankees from challenging the Red Sox in the East. However, the Yanks strengthened themselves considerably in the off-season with the acquisition of former Pirate Rick Rhoden (15-12, 2.84), former Phil Charlie Hudson (7-10, 4.94) and former Angel Ron Romanick. Of course, Dennis Rasmussen (18-6, 3.88) must prove his stellar 1986 performance was no fluke. Also, the Yanks must replace likely free agent defector Ron Guidry (9-12, 3.98).
Dave Righetti (8-8, 2.45) has to be regarded as the game's premier reliever after earning a major league record 46 saves. Cecilio Guante (5-2, 3.35, 4 saves), also acquired from the Pirates in the Rhoden deal, should prove a fine addition to the setup role vacated by the enigmatic Brian Fisher."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition

FIELDING
"Mattingly is a two-time Gold Glove winner at first base, Pagliarulo is on the verge of becoming a Gold Glover at third, Willie Randolph is a steady second baseman and Wayne Tolleson is an adequate shortstop, although the Yankees are concerned about his ability to sustain a high performance level throughout an entire season.
Joel Skinner must prove that he is a major league hitter, but there is no doubt about his ability as a catcher. Winfield and Henderson are defensive assets and they can chew up ground in right and center respectively."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition

OUTLOOK
"This is a team of stars, but chemistry has been lacking while the Yankees have placed second each of the last two years. Players are unsettled by the involvement of owner George Steinbrenner and by the pressure-filled atmosphere that goes with being a Yankee. The talent is there to improve on last year's 90-72 finish but, as manager Lou Piniella knows, talent isn't always enough."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition


"When the 1986 season was in its final weekend, Yankee manager Lou Piniella told the press, 'There's no question that Dave Righetti has been the key to our season. We knew our starting pitching might be a little short but we didn't know we would have to struggle to score runs early on. Without a strong bullpen, we could have really have been in trouble.'
Righetti, an erstwhile starter who once authored a no-hitter, was that bullpen. Working in a career-high 74 games, the 6-3 left-hander split 16 decisions but posted a neat 2.45 ERA and major league record 46 saves, one more than Bruce Sutter or Dan Quisenberry managed in their record campaigns.
At one point late in the year, the star southpaw was successful in 24 straight save opportunities. That short-circuited the suggestions of skeptics that he be returned to the beleaguered starting rotation.
Instead of moving Righetti for 1987, Yankee management elected to strengthen the front line in other ways. Just before Thanksgiving, for example, New York outbid several AL East rivals to acquire the contract of 34-year-old right-hander Rich Rhoden, who had gone 15-12 for a lackluster Pittsburgh franchise.
Though two young Yankee pitchers, starter Doug Drabek and reliever Brian Fisher, were part of the package that brought Rhoden and relievers Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements, Yankee executives insist the one-time Dodger will win 15 to 20 games for his new club.
Rhoden joins a rotation that could include left-handers Ron Guidry (9-12, 3.98 ERA), a free agent, Dennis Rasmussen (18-6, 3.88) and Tommy John (5-3, 2.93), plus right-hander Joe Niekro (9-10, 4.87), but only Rasmussen is on the sunny side of 35. That age factor could open the gates for right-handers Charles Hudson (7-10, 4.94 at Philadelphia), Bob Tewskbury (9-5, 3.31), Ron Romanick (5-8 with the Angels) or Brad Arnsberg (8-12 in AAA), but the Yanks seem to have trouble trusting their pitching chores to youngsters. Perhaps veteran lefty Britt Burns will rebound from an idle 1986 season.
Righetti's bullpen supporters are Rod Scurry, Tim Stoddard, Guante and Clements- an uninspiring group.
Also uninspiring- though full of potential- was the play of Joel Skinner, now expected to succeed the traded Butch Wynegar as the everyday catcher. Skinner, whose father Bob was an All-Star outfielder who could swing the bat, hit just .232 with five homers in 114 games. Young Phil Lombardi and Juan Espino, who's been up before, could threaten Skinner's status.
Everywhere else- with the possible exception of shortstop- Piniella has a plum. First baseman Don Mattingly (.352, 31 HR, 113 RBI) won a Gold Glove, played all 162 games, broke 1927 club records for hits and doubles, and became only the sixth player to deliver 230 hits, 30 homers and 100 RBI in the same season (Joe Medwick, Babe Herman, Chuck Klein, Lefty O'Doul and Rogers Hornsby did it previously).
Mattingly, 26, is less than a year older than third baseman Mike Pagliarulo, who hit just .238 in 149 games, but came into his own with 28 homers and 71 RBI. Steady Willie Randolph, not yet 33, is the second baseman after a .276 season, while Wayne Tolleson (.265, 17 stolen bases), a switch-hitting shortstop, rates the nod over superior fielder Paul Zuvella, also a capable second baseman. Zuvella was a hitting disaster in the Bronx but batted .302 in Triple-A to merit a second chance.
There's plenty of punch in the outfield, where Dan Pasqua's powerful left-handed bat (.293, 16, 45 in 102 games) joins center fielder Rickey Henderson (.263, 28, 74, 87 SB) on a full-time basis, with Claudell Washington, Henry Cotto, Gary Ward and Gary Roenicke the primary reserves.
Washington has emerged as the top left-handed designated hitter because unhappy incumbent Mike Easler (.302, 14, 78) has been traded. The top right-handed DH, who doubles as an outfielder, is former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle (.218, 21, 60 in 116 games)."

-Dan Schlossberg, Baseball Preview '87


"PROBLEMS: With the idea that the lack of starting pitching was what kept the Yankees from catching the Boston Red Sox last year, owner George Steinbrenner made several deals over the past winter to shore up his mound corps. If he had been able to sign Jack Morris from the Tigers, perhaps all problems would have been resolved in a single move.
But Charles Hudson and Ron Romanick, two of the hurlers who were [acquired], are not world beaters. Both were considered highly expendable by their old clubs. Ex-Pirate Rick Rhoden is a good arm, but he is 36 and may not be as of much use as the front office hopes.
Still to be resolved are the free agency of second baseman Willie Randolph, and the depth behind the plate now that Butch Wynegar is gone in the trade for Romanick. Joel Skinner, a good defensive hand, will probably start at catcher, but the backups available are low in experience on the major league level.
PITCHING: Dennis Rasmussen and Bob Tewksbury performed very well last year. Even if veteran Ron Guidry is only a shadow of his former greatness, Hudson, Rhoden and Romanick should be an improvement over the disorganized staff of last year.
The bullpen should be solid. Dave Righetti will be back after setting an all-time single season save record of 46. Cecilio Guante came from Pittsburgh with Rhoden to help as Righetti's setup man. Veteran Bob Shirley was also signed to a new contract, to help with long relief.
Overall, the staff should be at least 150% to 160% better than last season.
HITTING: Since third sacker Mike Pagliarulo has found the long distance range at New York's Yankee Stadium, the starting lineup features real Bronx Bombers in Mike, Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield, DH Ron Kittle and swift Rickey Henderson. The only ingredient missing will be the steady clutch bat of Randolph behind leadoff ace Henderson, if Willie fails to come to contract terms by spring.
Bryan Little was demoted to the minors at the end of last year, so the infield depth and bench hitting strength is very uncertain as the BIG BOOK OF BASEBALL goes to press.
One thing is as certain as death and taxes, however. Led by Mattingly, this club will be one of the league's best in scoring runs.
INFIELD: If Willie Randolph is re-signed, he will play second and Wayne Tolleson will be at short, the same keystone pairing in effect for the Yanks late last season. Without Randolph available, Tolleson will move to second base, his old position, with weak-hitting Bobby Meacham moving in at shortstop. Mike Pagliarulo finally took charge at third last year. His average wasn't much, but he demonstrated solid power and good RBI ability.
First base was in the hands of the man most consider to be the best player of the game today, Don Mattingly. Still young, Don is a threat to almost totally rewrite the career record book. Ron Kittle, who can relieve at first or in the outfield, is the DH.
Butch Wynegar went in a winter deal for pitching, so Joel Skinner is left as the heir apparent for regular catching duties. Joel is an excellent glove man, and baseball people love the way he handles a pitching staff and commands his defense. But Skinner's bat work is anemic and will have to improve if he is to remain as the club's starting backstop.
With Mattingly, Randolph, Tolleson, Pagliarulo and Skinner playing, color this infield deep and strong except in catching. If Meacham plays short, the quality drops to just a little bit above average- even with the presence of a force as powerful as Mattingly.
OUTFIELD: Dan Pasqua has come on strong to become the Yankee left fielder. And the re-signing of veteran Claudell Washington late last winter makes the outfield very deep as well as excellent both offensively and defensively.
Rickey Henderson in center may have a few defensive liabilities, but at bat and on the basepaths he is one of the best offensive sparks in the game today.
Dave Winfield in right, despite his running feud with the club's owner, is a class ballplayer who hits and fields and runs and throws with the best.
Henry Cotto and Gary Roenicke join Washington and Kittle in offering a backup unit as strong as any in the game. Slumps and injuries should be covered by the reserves, and the good manpower gives manager Lou Piniella a tremendous amount of maneuvering room.
PROGNOSIS: Yankee haters are in trouble for 1987. Even without 'buying' Jack Morris, Steinbrenner has added to the strength of his club in the off-season without dealing away too much in return.
Unless Roger Clemens wins 30 games this year, and Jim Rice has a runaway MVP type of season, the Red Sox are likely to lose out this year to the charging New Yorkers and even possibly to the rampaging Bengals from Detroit."

-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball 1987