Don Mattingly: A Baseball Reference

Don Mattingly was one of the best baseball players of his generation and is currently the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly (born April 20, 1961) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and manager. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, and later served as the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Early life

Donald Joseph Mattingly was born in Evansville, Indiana on April 20, 1961. He is the son of Bill and Donna Mattingly. He has two brothers, Mike and Scott. The family moved to Billings, Montana when Don was in junior high and then to Victorville, California, when he was a sophomore in high school. Mattingly graduated from Victorville High School in 1979.

Yankees career

Don Mattingly played his entire 14-year Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees (1982–1995). During his career, Mattingly was a six-time MLB All-Star, won nine Gold Glove Awards, and three Silver Slugger Awards. He is the Yankees’ all-time leader in games played (1,785), stolen bases (23), singles (1,009), and doubles ( Webster’s career batting average of .307 is the 19th highest in baseball history for players with at least 2,500 career at bats.

In 1997, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The Yankees retired Mattingly’s uniform number 23 in 1997. The organization honored him with a plaque in Monument Park in 2001.

managerial career

In 1998, Don Mattingly became the hitting coach for the New York Yankees, a position he held through the 2003 season. He was then promoted to bench coach for the 2004 season. On July 9, 2008, he was named interim manager of the Yankees after Joe Girardi was fired. He finished out the 2008 season with a record of 18-31 as manager.

On October 7, 2008, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Mattingly would be their new hitting coach. He held this position through the 2010 season. On June 21, 2011, he was promoted to interim manager of the Dodgers after Joe Torre retired. He finished the 2011 season with a record of 82-79 as manager.

On November 17, 2015, it was announced that Mattingly had been hired as the new manager of the Miami Marlins.

Don Mattingly’s legacy

Don Mattingly was a great baseball player who played for the New York Yankees. He was a nine-time All-Star and won the World Series in 2009. He is now the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Let’s take a look at his career.

impact on the game

Don Mattingly’s impact on the game of baseball was significant. He was a six-time All-Star, a World Series champion, and the American League MVP in 1985. His career batting average of .307 is still among the best in baseball history.

Mattingly was also known for his defensive prowess. He won nine Gold Glove Awards, including six consecutive seasons from 1985 to 1990. His 2,153 career hits are the most by any player who never won a batting title.

Mattingly’s legacy extends beyond his on-field accomplishments. He was known for his unassuming demeanor and his commitment to family and community. After retiring from playing, he became a successful manager and is currently one of the most respected voices in baseball.

influence on younger players

Don Mattingly’s influence on young baseball players cannot be overstated. His work ethic, dedication to the game, and passion for teaching the next generation of players are just some of the reasons why he is considered one of the best role models in the sport.

Since his retirement from playing in 1995, Mattingly has remained involved in the game as a coach and mentor. In 2002, he became the hitting coach for the New York Yankees and helped them win three World Series titles. He also served as the team’s interim manager in 2011.

Mattingly currently serves as the Yankees’ special advisor to general manager Brian Cashman. In this role, he is responsible for helping to develop and evaluate players throughout the organization.

In addition to his work with the Yankees, Mattingly is also heavily involved in youth baseball. He runs a baseball camp for kids in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana, and he has also coaching clinics around the country.

Mattingly’s impact on young players extends far beyond his own personal accomplishments on the field. His true legacy lies in his ability to positively influence those who are just beginning their careers in baseball.

Don Mattingly’s Hall of Fame case

Don Mattingly was one of the great hitters of his generation. A career .307 hitter, Mattingly won the American League batting title in 1984 with a .343 average. He also was a Gold Glove first baseman, winning nine straight from 1985 to 1993. Despite his great career, Mattingly has not been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

career statistics

In his 14-year career, Don Mattingly compiled a .307 batting average, 222 home runs, 1,099 RBI, 1,383 runs scored, 2,153 hits, and 442 doubles. A nine-time All-Star (1984–1985, 1987–1991), he won the 1984 AL batting title with a .343 average and was the 1985 AL Most Valuable Player. He also won five Gold Glove Awards (1985–1989), three Silver Slugger Awards (1985, 1986, 1987), and the 1984 AL Rookie of the Year Award. His career fielding percentage was .984 at first base.

awards and accolades

During his career, Mattingly won nine Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Glove Awards, the 1984 American League batting title, and the 1985 AL Most Valuable Player Award. He also appeared in six All-Star Games. Mattingly currently holds the Major League record for most grand slams in a career with 6.