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Don Mattingly Online - March 2004 Interview
.: March 2004 Interview :.
======================= Interview begins here. ======================= Patrick Wrote: Mr. Mattingly I just want to know how hard it is each year for you to know that the game goes on yet you are not on the field. Can a player with your talent ever really be truly happy not playing the game? I know the common answer well I got other things to keep me busy but are there times when you think hey I could still play with these guys? I'm 32 and have a rare disease and I miss playing softball so much that it almost brings tears to my eyes wanting to be on the field. Knowing I cant produce the way I once did is a real tough pill to swallow. Don Mattingly Wrote: Patrick, Absolutely, time moves on, the game moves on. There are always different characters in the game. No one is bigger than the game and that is part of growing old. I am satisfied with the way my career went. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Christopher Wrote: Mr. Mattingly, It is quite possible that you could be the most popular Yankee of all time. Do you ever feel strange about that fact given some of the historical names that you are mentioned along with? Why do you think you have gained such a high status among Yankee fans, myself included? Don Mattingly Wrote: Christopher, I have no idea why I am treated the way I have been treated, I just feel fortunate that the fans enjoy the way I played. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Ned Wrote: Donnie, You're the best. What would you have done if you hadn't become a big league ballplayer? What would you like to have done with your life? Don Mattingly Wrote: Ned, You know, I have no idea. I really do not know. Growing up when I was young when I started getting letters and stuff I just wanted to play. I never thought of doing anything else and I am fortunate that I never had to. Sincerely, Don Mattingly John Wrote: Don, You are probably not going to read this but, here is my question to you, I have been playing softball for about 5 years and I have a monster swing but it is all upper body. People say if I used my whole body to swing I would hit a HR every time. Is there anything you can suggest to get me to use my whole body to swing and stop swinging all arms? I would also like to add that you are a class act. I was at your signing in Danbury CT and you took the time to take a photo with my cousin and myself as you were walking out of BC Sports Collectibles. I couldn't believe it, I am a 30-year-old married man and when I saw you it was like I was a kid at my first Yankee game. If you do read this and respond, thank you in advance. Welcome back Don, and thanks for getting me hooked on baseball. Don Mattingly Wrote: John, Try practice hitting off of your back leg for while. Just use that one leg for a while and see what that does for you. Put the other foot down as you hit. You are welcome on the second part, thank you for being a fan! Sincerely, Don Mattingly Eric Wrote: I live in the mid-west and have been a Don Mattingly fan since 1983. I was unable to watch many games on TV but followed your career through day old newspapers from the neighbor who received free lawn mowing for that service. I was lucky to meet him at an autograph show in Chicago. What an honor. Do you enjoy doing shows and do you collect sport memorabilia? Thanks again for coming to Chicago. Eric Don Mattingly Wrote: Eric, I enjoy doing shows occasionally, not too many. I guess I do not consider myself a collector, but I do collect stuff from different guys. I guess that makes me a collector. I like collecting of the guys that I respect from a lot of different sports. I have a few hockey goalie jerseys that are my favorite. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Bill Wrote: For the past 17 years my son, William, has watched almost all of the Yankee games. One thing that stands out in his mind from watching you play is your determination to excel at first base and at bat. Currently he is in his senior year in high school and has not made the team for the past 3 years. Always the last one cut. He plays first base, bats right handed and really isn't hitting. My question to you is: Should he give up in his last year or try-out again? Quitting is not in his vocabulary, but it seems that he his giving up. Thanks for the memories. You are one the best Yankee Captains of all time. Don Mattingly Wrote: Bill, As long as he enjoys playing he should keep trying to play. After this year there will be no more teams to try out for. If he wants to play he should keep trying. If he is determined to play and does not make it at least he has given it every opportunity. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Patrick Wrote: Don, My question is in regards to Taylor. I am a sports card collector & general Yankee nut and I was wondering how you help him deal with the pressures of such statements as; "Is most like a right handed version of his father"? Also, are you impressed by the fact that his current RC's are as valuable or in some cases more valuable than yours? Don Mattingly Wrote: Patrick, Far as the RC's I think that is very cool. Hopefully he can continue in that path. Helping him with dealing with everything, we just talk about getting better and improving everyday. We do not really talk about dealing with the pressures that much. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Joshua Wrote: Don, During your illustrious career you had the opportunity to play with and against many of the finest players to ever put on a uniform. Which Yankee did you believe to have most benefited your MVP caliber career? Dave Winfield for the protection in the clean-up spot? Rickey Henderson for the R.B.I. chances? Don Mattingly Wrote: Joshua, I would say both of those guys and a lot of different players in any lineup are an important part of any players' success. I was fortunate to play with many great players and learned a lot from all of them. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Jason Wrote: Dear Don, I have always been a big fan of yours as a kid. I'm now 30 years old and I'm really excited about the future of baseball. It seems that we have a bright future ahead for baseball with all the new talent and second-generation players that we can enjoy again. Do you think that second generation players such as Taylor, Josh Barfield, and Willie Randolphs son will be able to handle the pressure of producing as player with having such fathers as yourself? What is the key to success of handling pressure especially in New York? Thank you, Jason Don Mattingly Wrote: Jason, They cannot worry about anything but just playing the game. They do not have to live up to anything, they just have to do the best they can do. So as long as that happens, if they are doing their best, then they have succeeded. The pressure they have is to live up to their own ability and do the best they can do. Sincerely, Don Mattingly BJ Wrote: Donnie Baseball, Do you believe that your hiring as batting coach is the opening for you to manage the team in the next few years? I believe Mr. Stienbrenner would be crazy not to hire the greatest Yankee of all time to manage the team after Joe decides to hang it up. Thanks for your time and memories. Don Mattingly Wrote: BJ, I look at my hiring of my job as a batting coach as simply that. I have been brought on to hopefully help our guys continue to be successful and nothing more than that. This is not a stepping-stone for my career. Sincerely, Don Mattingly ======================= Interview ends here. =======================
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