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Don Mattingly Online - August 2004 Interview
.: August 2004 Interview :.
======================= Interview begins here. ======================= Mike Wrote: Is leaning back when you swing also called staying back? Don Mattingly Wrote: Mike, Not necessarily, no. I think staying back is a matter of being balanced when the pitch is on the way. Staying back just means your first move is a read, and you are in a balanced position to read the ball. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Rod Wrote: Did you play basketball for Evansville Memorial back in 78-79? Don Mattingly Wrote: Rod, Yes, I did. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Jim Wrote: Dear Don, Now technically I am one of your younger fans (21). I've seen literally hundreds of guys wear the pinstripes, but none looked as Paul O'neil put it, "Right," as you did and do. I don't know why you would wear anything else. When you first came up from AAA, how long did it take for it to set in what you were a part of? Thanks for being a part of so many life lessons for me. Don Mattingly Wrote: Jim, It took a long time, when you come up from AAA you are not concerned about what you are a part of. You are concerned about simply trying to make it. The tradition, or the organizations history are not important yet, you are trying to find out if you belong before you can understand what the organization is all about and it's history. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Greg Wrote: I'm a big fan of Donnie Baseball and I am glad you will have a chance to get the ring. One of my fondest memories is during a game you were chasing a fly ball that went into the stands and you grabbed a hand full of pop corn from that little boy. I wonder how old he is now and if he ever contacted you? Also, I have a 5 year old that loves to play baseball and is a good hitter. Can you advise me of a good Hitting video that will help develop his hitting skills? Go Yanks, Greg Don Mattingly Wrote: Greg, That boy has never tried to contact me, not sure how old he is now. I think the kid was contacted by news stations and such. As for your 5 year old, I am not really aware of any videos that would help at that age. Just help him see the ball and hit it, he is still young. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Will Wrote: Dear Mr. Mattingly, My name is Will, I grew up watching you and you're my favorite player of all time. I'm a junior in High School and I am currently in a slump. I batted .479 when I was a freshman on varsity, hitting line drives all over the place. For the past 3 years I have been batting .300, and currently batting well below .300 on my summer team. Do you have any suggestions as to how to get out of a slump? I'm a lefty and I know you are to. So I was wondering if you had any suggestions. Thanks a lot, Will Don Mattingly Wrote: Will, Well, it is hard for me to really give you any suggestions on what you are doing. I have not seen you in the past or the present. It sounds like it is something you are thinking about, which is a problem in itself. Get a good pitch to hit and hit it hard somewhere. Do not worry about it so much. If you get a get pitch just hit it hard. Be honest with yourself, it won't be long before you are getting your hits again. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Steve Wrote: Don, A long time fan, thanks for all the thrills over the years! What were your thoughts on historic Tiger Stadium in Detroit? You had some great games there. Don Mattingly Wrote: Steve, I liked it a lot. I enjoyed playing there. I love to play in all of the old stadiums. It is great to think about all the great players who have played there in the past, and the history, I love to play the older stadiums. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Jimmy Wrote: I have always been a huge Mickey Mantle fan. I also loved the way you played the game. You would have fit in nicely with the Yankees of Mantle's day. What memories of "The Mick" do you have? Don Mattingly Wrote: Jimmy, My favorite memories are just the way he treated me, no real baseball memories. That is what I remember about him, the way he treated me. He was a great guy to be around. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Joe Wrote: Don, Thanks for all of your great service to the New York Yankees and their fans! To me you ARE the Yankees! I was wondering if you ever had any interest in writing a book about your baseball experiences? I know that I would love to read your own personal account of your baseball career. Has this thought ever crossed your mind or has a publisher ever expressed any interest in having you write one? Don Mattingly Wrote: Joe, Yes, I have had people express interest, but I am not really interested. It seems like books are not really popular unless you are willing to be controversial and I am not really willing to do that. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Matthew Wrote: Hello, I'm in first year bantam in Nova Scotia, Canada, and I have a pretty good hitting record, .473, but it could always be better. How do you increase your bat speed? Are there any exercises that you do to help with generating bat speed? Don Mattingly Wrote: Matthew, Well, there are two ways. The first is strength, and then technique. As you shorten your swing, the more you work on how smooth it is the better chance you have to create bat speed. It comes from technique and timing. Increase your strength by working out. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Joe Wrote: Dear Mr. Mattingly, My memory is a little hazy, but did I see you in a Tigers uniform for one game? If so, when was that? Don Mattingly Wrote: Joe, No, it is definitely hazy, you did not see me in a Tigers uniform. I played my entire career here, from the minors on up. Sincerely, Don Mattingly ======================= Interview ends here. =======================
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