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 2004 Interview

.: July 2004 Interview :.

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

Susan Wrote:

Dear Donnie,

What are the best & worst parts about your job as hitting coach so far? Thanks!

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Susan,

The best parts are being involved with baseball and big league players, being part of the season everyday.  The worst part is definitely being away from my family, my wife, and my kids.

Sincerely, 
Don Mattingly

Matt Wrote:

Don,

I just wanted to tell you that you're my favorite baseball player of all time. Thanks for the memories.

Do you feel that first basemen are overlooked defensively? I feel that you and Raphel Palmerio both deserve HOF invitations on your defensive skills alone. Thanks.

Don Mattingly Wrote,

Matt,

Yeah, I think defense in general is overlooked by most.  That goes for all positions and the importance of defense.  First base defense is probably overlooked even more.  So yeah I think in general first base is overlooked, but that is just the way it is.  I do appreciate your thoughts and I agree that Raphel Palmerio is a great player and a great defender.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Alberto Wrote:

Hello. I grew up idolizing Don Mattingly. I copied every nuance of your swing, everything. I think you should be in the HOF. Anyway, my question is, now that you are coaching hitting with the Yanks, what are your thoughts on patience at the plate. I remember how for stretches of time, you would let the first pitch go by, no matter what it was, then you would go through stretches where you would swing at the first pitch, no matter (almost) where it was. I seem to remember you didn't take a lot of bases on balls. How does that transfer to your tutoring hitters now? What do you tell them about pitch selection and patience?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Alberto,

You are right, I should have been more patient, but I think that is just the way I was.  When I swung I put a ball in play, I did not miss often.  For the most part I talk about finding a good pitch to hit, and hitting it hard somewhere.

Sincerely, 
Don Mattingly

Bob Wrote:

How difficult is it for you to be sitting in the Yankee dugout, in uniform and not be able to play? I know you were such a fierce competitor when you played and I can't believe those juices still flow a little bit.

By the way there are plenty of us that wouldn't mind to see #23 stepping into the on deck circle once in a while.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Bob,

It is really not that hard to be honest.  I think you just realize your time is over in that area, your playing part is over.  I have found other ways to compete and being on the field is just not part of it, which is not really possible for me anymore.  I think as a coach it is important that you do not want to play, you need to be there for your players and make sure they have great seasons.  Doing my job is helping them, but the competitiveness is there, just in a different way.

Sincerely, 
Don Mattingly

Nate Wrote:

Is your baseball stance effective when you play or when you played softball? Do you hit with more or less power when you take your top hand off the bat at the point of contact?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Nate,

At the point of contact both hands should be on the bat.  On the follow through the hand may come off, but I do think the bottom hand is the power hand.  If you get it going in the right angle it helps get you there quick and short and assists in bat speed.  My stance would be the same for baseball or softball.  The angle of the swing would be different, but the stance would remain the same.

Sincerely, 
Don Mattingly

Damond Wrote:

I was reviewing your Stats and they said you played 2B & 3B. Did you play them left handed?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Damond,

Yes, I did play those positions left-handed.

Sincerely, 
Don Mattingly

David Wrote:

Don,

Can you tell me any secrets about how to better stay back on a curve-ball?  I am always out in front off it. I could use some advice. Thanks.

P.S. You are my favorite player of all time and I was going crazy when I heard you were named the Yankees new hitting coach.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

David,

There is nothing I could really "tell" you that would help, but there are certain drills you could do that would help you stay back.  Most of those drills work on your balance.  Try hitting the ball to the opposite field.  To do that you must wait longer, which will help you.  Also try hitting some breaking balls.

Sincerely, 
Don Mattingly

Jim Wrote:

Hi Don,

My friend says first base is the easiest position to play; I maintain it is third base.  Your opinion would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Jim,

Honestly, third is pretty tough, and at first there is a lot more going on if you really know how to play it.  More than most people think that is.  In my opinion the easier positions are left and right field, but if you are playing them correctly there is always a lot going on and a lot to do no matter what position you play.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Sean Wrote:

Hey Don,

I was just wondering... what did you used to do when you were in a batting slump? Also, what were some drills you used to do during the regular season? Thanks so much!

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Sean,

Drills for me during the regular season involved soft toss, working on my timing, and hitting off the tee.  For the most part when I was in a slump I would just try to hit the ball hard somewhere and not worry about it.  I would tell myself I was going to hit the ball hard 4 or 5 times and if I did, I did.  If I did not I would not worry about it because I can only control so much.  That was my approach, stay positive.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Zack Wrote:

Mr. Mattingly,

You have always been my favorite baseball player ever since I was 3. I go to a hitting coach named Danny Barrett he plays in a jazz band at every old timers day, maybe you know him. Anyway, I am learning the Charlie Lou method and I was wondering.  What is the one tip you would give to a hitter using that method?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Zack,

Well, I think Charlie Lou just talks about weight shifting for the most part.  I think it is great and I like it a lot.  I think there are those out there than have taken it to an extreme and misinterpreted it, so I am not really sure what to tell you.  When taught correctly I think it is a great method.

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