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Don Mattingly Online - April 2004 Interview

.: April 2004 Interview :.

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Interview begins here.
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Collin Wrote:

Mr. Mattingly,

I have been a Yankee and Don Mattingly fan since 1985. I'm happy that you are back in pinstripes.  My question is: When you hit did you follow linear hitting techniques or rotational hitting techniques? I am just curious.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Collin,

Not sure what you mean, but I think the motion needs to be linear, if there is rotation it needs to be last.  Basically, the move is linear, but if you just rotate you end up being long to the ball.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Dorian Wrote:

Dear Don,

I watched you and Dave Winfield do battle neck and neck for the AL batting title. What was that like? Thanks for all the memories.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Dorian,

It was fun!  It was great for me and it made Dave and I good friends going through that.  It was a lot easier for me that it was for him because I was a rookie with very little pressure, Dave had a lot more to deal with.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Trey Wrote:

Don,

What did you tell yourself every time you stepped into the batters box? Did you predict what the pitcher was going to throw or did you not need to? In your prime, what was your dirt like and how long and hard did you hit the gym?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Trey,

I always hit the gym hard, ever more on the off season.  My thoughts in the box were just basically trying to get a good pitch to hit.  It depended on the pitcher and their style.  I was trying to look for certain clues on their style and pick a pitch that matched up with my swing.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

James Wrote:

Mr. Mattingly,

What would be the most important fundamentals to stress to a batter aged 12-15?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

James,

I would say keep your head down.  Keeping your head down will take care of a lot of stuff for you in the future.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Michael Wrote:

Dear Don,

I would first like to say that I am a huge fan.  I am a senior at William Paterson University in New Jersey. Last year was terrible year for me. I started off hot and then went into a huge slump, this year I'm looking to go on to the next level and I honestly believe I have the ability any advice?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Michael,

Believing is the first thing you need so you have that.  That part is out of the way.  From there you just have to keep working, get better every day.  If you are getting better every day you will never know what your limit is, which is very good.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Jessica Wrote:

Don,

I just wanted you to know I have been a fan since I was three. I was born your rookie year and my Dad absolutely admires you. The other day he put you on a list as the greatest Yankee ever with Babe Ruth and Joe Dimaggio. I have been playing baseball and softball since I was small and have always adopted the number 23 because of you. My whole family has. You are not only a great baseball player but a respectable family man and all around great guy. I just wanted to thank you for the memories and for the countless smiles you have instilled to all Yankee fans. Just last week I ordered a baseball you signed off E-bay for charity for my Dad, and he named it his "prized possession." He wouldn't even put it down he was so excited. I was just wondering if you could go back in time to meet any baseball player who would it be, and what would you ask them?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Jessica,

I think the one person I would have loved to meet and never have would be Thermon Munson.  It would not be so much to ask him a question, but just to have been his teammate would have been great.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Roberta Wrote:

Hey Don,

Hey Don, Is there any player or players that you think you might have a special bond with now that you are back with the Yankees as a hitting coach?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Roberta,

I never really thought about it.  Something like that just kind of happens over time.  I do not have any preconceived notion of who I may be bonded with, I just think it happens.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Craig Wrote:

Mr. Mattingly,

I graduated from Bloomington High School South in 99'. My high school GPA was horrible. I went to a small college and worked hard enough to get to I.U. When I was there, I worked hard enough to get into the Kelley School of Business. It is in the top ten among business schools. I always try to work hard Just like you. My questions are, do you regret not going to college and if you could go to any college, which would it be? Thank you for being such a strong Christian role model for me.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Craig,

No, I guess I do not regret it because you can't look back like that.  I think if I were to go though, I would have liked to go to IU as well.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Wesley Wrote:

Mr. Mattingly,

I was wondering if during your rookie season if you got any pranks pulled on you by some of the veterans and if later in your career you pulled anything on some of the younger players? Thanks.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Wesely,

No, not really.  There is a lot of fun stuff going on with the younger players.  Pranks do not happen that much, but like when I came up, younger players were kind of meant to be seen, not heard.  So we really just kept our mouths shut, and watch and learned.  Then we would just go from there.  They took care of me, but you have to kind of earn your way.  Really you have to just watch and learn and be respectful to the game and the older guys when you are a younger player.

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

Angela Wrote:

Hi Donnie!

Recently, you've talked more and more about your faith. I just wanted to ask: what is your favorite Bible verse(s) and how has it influenced you? Thanks for sharing!

God Bless You & Your family!

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Angela,

I am not sure I have any favorites.  I am not really a guy that can quote scripture.  I do read every day and learn more of them every day.  Scriptures, I enjoy reading them, but I have never really memorized them verbatim.  They would be good for times of temptation, but I am more of a daily reader and not a memorizer.  There is one that comes to mind, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builder labors in vein."  That one makes sense to me and sticks in my mind.  I can interpret it and understand it.  As long as the Lord is part of it, it can't be bad!

Sincerely,

Don Mattingly

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