The Official Don Mattingly Website! Don Mattingly Online, http://www.donmattingly.com,don mattingly,mattingly,donnie baseball,don mattingly jersey,don mattingly autograph,new york yankee team captain,don mattingly memorabilia,don mattingly baseball,don mattingly bat,don mattingly collectible,don mattingly picture,don mattingly baseball card,don mattingly stats,don mattingly pic,don mattingly poster,autographed don mattingly,autographed don mattingly jersey,autographed don mattingly memorabilia,autographed don mattingly baseball,autographed don mattingly bat,autographed don mattingly collectible,autographed don mattingly picture,autographed don mattingly baseball card,autographed don mattingly pic,autographed don mattingly poster,contact don mattingly,baseball autographs,baseball autograph

Home || Store || About Don || Don's Blog || Interviews || Gallery || Events || Links || Contact || FAQ's

Don Mattingly Online - July 2003 Interview

.: July 2003 Interview :.

=======================
Interview begins here.
=======================

Scott Wrote:

Who was the pitcher who you hit your last home off of?  What Seattle Mariner pitcher was it?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Scott,

That was Home Town Andy Benes.  That was in the 95 playoffs, it was a change up.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Mike Wrote:

How often did you practice baseball when you were a kid?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Mike,

When I was a kid I did not practice baseball, I played baseball.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Dominic Wrote:

My friend said you wore another # beside 23 with the Yankees I said never, he said he seen a picture of you against Kansas City Royals with George Brett and you had a different # on, did you ever wear another # even for 1 game for some reason, 
Hope to see you in a coaching job very soon with the Yankees!

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Dominic,

My first year that I got called up I wore the number 46, that was in 1983.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Bart Wrote:

Mr. Mattingly,

The greatest Yankee game I ever attended was Game 2 vs. the Mariners in 1995. When you hit that homerun the stadium exploded and you could feel the upper deck shake. What are your thoughts from that game? Thanks Cap.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Bart,

It was a great game.  I was totally excited about being in the playoffs.  I was thinking that winning that game was putting us in a great position for that series, but it didn't work out that way.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Michael Wrote:

Hey Don,

I was wondering if you would be able to tell me what weight training exercises I could do to increase my bat speed as well as my throwing speed?  Would you recommend heavier weight or lighter weight?

I hope you can answer this for me, I heard a LOT of different methods, but it would nip it in the bud if I were taught by you.  I hope to hear from you soon,

Thanks a lot, Mike.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Michael,

I do not recommend any specific thing for that.  I think the mechanics, such as strength and flexibility are very important.  Just make sure you work on your total body training and your flexibility.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Jeffrey Wrote:

Hi Don, I'm a Big Fan!

I have two sons ages 8 and 5. My oldest is a lefty. This is my Question. What starts the swing? Hips? Hands? Back knee Turns? Tom Emanski says knee and hips! Mitch Thompson (Baylor University) Says Hands and Hips turn at the same time. I take my sons for personal instruction at HomeRun USA in Cheshire Ct. Butch Hobson has some affiliation there. They say the hands start the swing and everything else follows. Could you help by pointing me in a direction with your thoughts and maybe some Videos I could buy that you sell or ones that you like?

Jeffrey

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Jeffrey,

I really never thought about what starts it.  It gets too complicated.  It starts by watching the pitcher, and getting comfortable in the box.  You really cannot make it too complicated for kids.
 
Not sure of any videos, but if you get down to it, the hands I think are what you take to the ball.  Keep emphasis on the bottom hand to the ball.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Karen Wrote:

Hi Don. What advice could you give to my 18 year old son who is a terrific baseball player and an even better person but who has been hampered by a spinal stress fracture for the last three years?  You've handled yourself with such grace and dignity and I was just wondering if you would share your thoughts. Thanks so much.  Karen

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Karen,

First things first, you have to take care of his body first.  Live to be as healthy as you can for the long term.  That means listen to the doctor, strengthen for life, not baseball.  If baseball is not in the cards, you still want to be able to enjoy life.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Mark Wrote:

Mr. Mattingly,

When I hear the current Yankees (B.Williams, A.Pettite, D.Jeter, P.O'Neill and more...) say that you had a huge impact on them as far as playing ball and just being a member of the Yankee family, it makes me wonder a bit:

Which Yankee player and manager, during your tenure, had the biggest influence in your game?

Respectfully,
Mark

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Mark,

Players that had the most influence were the ones I came up with, Pinella, Guidry, Randolph, Gossage, Nettles, and so on.  The whole club was filled with champions.  I felt like I learned to play the game through them.  I had a good time and learned a lot about baseball and life on and off the field.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Becky Wrote:

First of all I just wanted to let you know you changed my life in such a way I never thought possible. My question is you know you've impacted so many fans lives in such an amazing way has there ever been a fan who has changed your life or impacted it as much as you have theirs?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Becky,

The fans in general have impacted my life.  The way I have been treated by the fans in NY and all over the country has been incredible.  I am very taken back by it.  All I have tried to do is have fun and play, treat people with respect, and it has gotten me such a great response.  The most I get impacted is by kids.  When I am able to call someone who is sick and cheer that person up it amazes me and makes me feel great.

That is when you really realize you have a big impact on people as a player.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Wendy Wrote:

Hi Don,

I've got a few simple questions.  Do you actually like the nicknames bestowed upon you by your fans, Donnie Baseball, The Hit Man, and so on?  Also does it irk you when other baseball team fans and the press bad-mouth the Yankees because of their ability to buy players?  Personally I think it is sour grapes.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Wendy,

The nicknames are OK.  It amazes me how they catch on.  It's a strange thing, someone says it, someone else says it, and then it catches on.  It is humorous, the older I have gotten the more comfortable I get.

I do think it is sour grapes about the Yankees.  It started like two years ago.  Our nucleus' came through the system and we took care of our own guys like, Jeter, Posada, Bernie, Petteit, Mariano, and now Soriano, and Nick Johnson.  We have been smart enough that when we need someone we have been going after the right people.  The nucleus has come through our own minor league system.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

=======================
Interview ends here.
=======================

.: Return to the Interview Questions Menu :.

Visit Our Partner Sites

Don Mattingly Guaranteed Authentic Signed Memorabilia!

Home || Store || About Don || Don's Blog || Interviews || Gallery || Events || Links || Contact || FAQ's