Join Don Mattingly's Mailing List -
Join
Leave
Home
||
Store
||
About Don
||
Don's Blog
||
Interviews
||
Gallery
||
Events
||
Links
||
Contact
||
FAQ's
Don Mattingly Online - April 2005 Interview
.: April 2005 Interview :.
======================= Interview begins here. ======================= David Wrote: You are by far the greatest Yankee to ever play in my eyes. I wish I patterned my work ethic after yours. My question: If they had the wild card during your career (other than 1995) what team could have won the World Series? Thank you. Don Mattingly Wrote: David, I think the 85 team had a chance, the 94 team, 84 was decent, hard to say. 83 was a good team too. I suppose I have no clue, but there were plenty of times when our team was setup good and it was possible. This is just a hard question to answer really. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Susan Wrote: Did you enjoy pitching in High School? What was your favorite position to play when you were a kid? Thanks so much! Don Mattingly Wrote: Susan, Short was my favorite position as a kid, and catching. I did enjoy pitching in high school, I wish I was a little better at it, but what are you going to do? I wish I knew more about pitching when I was in high school. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Greg Wrote: Mr. Mattingly, My one weakness is hitting, what are some drills you did that helped you improve the amount of contact you were making? Thank you for your time, I appreciate it. Don Mattingly Wrote: Greg, Tee work always helps. Hit the ball from the tee in many different areas of the plate. Keep your head from moving and you will have a better chance of seeing the ball all the way in. To improve contact though I think tee work is the best thing you could do. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Chris Wrote: First I would like to say that Mr. Mattingly was the best baseball player I have seen and I thank him for that. I would like to know when you got in the box where did you focus on when the pitcher was on the rubber and during the time the pitcher is throwing the pitch? Don Mattingly Wrote: Chris, I focused on the ball, pretty much that is it. I watched where he released to help me know where the ball was going. I always tried to focus on the release point and then the ball immediately as I tracked it all the way in. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Todd Wrote: Now that you're back in the Yankee organization as hitting coach, can you comment on the atmosphere in the locker room before a game or series with the Red Sox, compared to your playing days? Obviously the recent success of both teams, coupled with the size and scope of the media, has really put the rivalry under the national microscope. But it has always been an intense rivalry. Have the player's feelings towards the rivalry in current days increased since the 80's or 90's? Don Mattingly Wrote: Todd, Things have changed, like you said, with the hype and media it makes things worse. I think the players get tired of the hype. As the series goes on the rivalry is stronger, I think the attitude is like, "I have to play these guys again?" I think it is pretty much the same. Both teams have had so much success it is going to stay heated up for a long time. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Evan Wrote: What pitch do you feel you were the best at hitting? Was it the inside or the outside (Fastball, Curveball, Slider, etc)? Don Mattingly Wrote: Evan, I like the ball inside. It all depended on the pitcher. They all have different styles so I hit better and differently with each pitcher usually. The split was probably my least favorite pitch though. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Tony Wrote: Mr. Mattingly, If you could do it all over again, would you prefer to play in today's "ERA" of baseball, when you actually played or in the 60's with Mickey and the boys? Don Mattingly Wrote: Tony, I look at it like I had an opportunity during my day. I grew up with a great group of players connected to many legends. Now I get an opportunity to work with today's era of players. It would have been great playing with Mickey and the boys since they were in the WS every year. I would not change a thing though. I am just thankful for the opportunity I got and the one I have now. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Jenn Wrote: Don, What kind of food do you like? Don Mattingly Wrote: Jenn, I like all kinds of food. Lately I have had to learn to eat many different types of food. My cholesterol has been high lately so I am eating more things like fish. I do like sweets, but I need to stay away from them though. I am trying to keep my weight down so I am attempting to eat more healthy foods lately. I do love all types of food though, just about everything. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Susan Wrote: Hi Donnie, How has your faith helped you in your life? Don Mattingly Wrote: Susan, Well, that is an easy one. It holds me up to a different standard. I try not to live to the worlds standards I try to live up to the standards of my faith. It helps me everyday in everything I do, it is my rock. When things are not going right for me there is always somewhere for me to go. Sincerely, Don Mattingly Ron Wrote: My 6 y/o son is nervous about getting hit by the baseball when he's at the plate. Are there any tips you could give me to calm him down? Don Mattingly Wrote: Ron, Well, the biggest thing is at 6 he probably should not be in a pitching league. Let him hit with a softer ball, an underhand toss. That way there is not chance of him getting hit by the ball. I would take him out of any pitching league right now. The last thing you want him to do at that age is get hit and develop an even worse fear. Sincerely, Don Mattingly ======================= Interview ends here. =======================
.: Return to the Interview Questions Menu :
.
Visit Our Partner Sites
Home
||
Store
||
About Don
||
Don's Blog
||
Interviews
||
Gallery
||
Events
||
Links
||
Contact
||
FAQ's
