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Don Mattingly Online - February 2005 Interview

.: February 2005 Interview :.

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Interview begins here.
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Rich Wrote:

Don,

Seen by many as the left handed DiMaggio, did you find it difficult handling the pressures of playing in the biggest market in baseball? Also, like Joe D., you always seemed to be calm and collected throughout your career. My friends and I looked to you as a role model and you didn't disappoint. Even though I am a diehard Red Sox fan, you were always the man. Thanks for the memories.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Rich,

Well, I really do not put myself in a category like DiMaggio, he was the king of New York baseball.  I appreciate you being fans, I suppose there is a lot of pressure, but I never really put it on myself.  Its performance oriented, you have to perform to stay there, help the team win and stuff.  I guess I was only pressured to perform and I put that pressure on myself, which I think is a good type of pressure.  I expect myself to do well and that is how I am motivated.  There was not really too much pressure from the outside, or from New York.  I really did not allow that to consume me and be part of how I played.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Susan Wrote:

Don,

Have you ever flown your own airplane? Do you have a pilot's license? Thank you & have a great day!

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Susan,

I have never flown my own plane and I do not have a pilot's license.  My 13 year old son is flying and doing quite well!

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Gary Wrote:

Dear Mr. Mattingly,

It has been well publicized that you and Paul O'Neill were very close during your playing days together. How did he influence you, both on and off the field?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Gary,

He was great to play with because he played so hard.  He is a great guy, a great family guy, and that part of his life was important to me.  He played with great intensity on the field and off the field he really cared about his family and I enjoyed that influence.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Craig Wrote:

Don,

You were an awesome baseball player and I admired your work-ethic. My question is this, I know you had to be strong to be such a powerful hitter, what could you bench press, squat, and dead-lift? Thanks for the memories and God Bless.

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Craig,

I really have no idea.  I just got on as many machines as I could and pushed to muscle failure.  I really did not use the free weights, I used the machines.  I tried to increase each time and do more weight than I did before.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Glenn Wrote:

Dear Don,

I need a tip on how to help my 13 year old with his swing. He bats right handed, and he tends to extend his left arm too far out from his body, giving him a long slow swing. Any tips on how he could learn to keep that front elbow closer to his body to shorten his swing and gain more speed?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Glenn,

Well, it is hard for me to help without actually seeing what is going on.  There could always be something simple going on that once I see it I can help, but if I had to make a suggestion I would go back to the tee and put it in different spots.  Make him hit with no stride so he starts to use his body.  That way you can know if his body is in the right position.  That would be where I would start without seeing him actually swing.  Using the tee will help you see what is going on a lot better.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Chris Wrote:

Dear Don,

During that season when you won the batting title against Dave Winfield in 84, how did you cope with all the pressure of winning the batting title and being pretty new to the team?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Chris,

Well, I didn't really look at it as any real pressure to win it. I just did my best.  I look at it the same as anything, I had a great year, Dave had a great year.  It was something that was an award for me personally.  Coping was not difficult at all.  No one gave me a hard time.  Dave was great through the whole thing, he could have made it hard on me, but he didn't.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Dan Wrote:

Do you wear your number 23 in the dugout or because it is a retired number do you use a different one?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Dan,

No, I do get to wear my number 23 even though it is retired.  I guess I brought it out of retirement.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Bill Wrote:

Don,

I have been coaching little league for nearly 30 years and it seems when I try to teach kid to hit I get too technical.  Can you give me any thoughts?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Bill,

Yeah, it is hard with kids because what you do not want them doing is thinking too much out there.  I think you are better off trying to get them to pop a ball up or hit hard ground balls in a certain area.  You are a lot better off teaching things like that and keeping it simple.  Keep them fundamentally sound and have fun too.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Jay Wrote:

What is your opinion of hitting with your elbow up vs. your elbow down?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Jay,

I think I would rather see it more relaxed, so down a little bit.  I think with the elbow up it puts a little tension in your swing.  So I feel most comfortable somewhere in between.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

Mark Wrote:

Don,

I watched you come up as a rookie in the Yankee system and was a fan from the start of your career until your retirement. I met you down on the field at the old Arlington Stadium on the 4th of July 1992 or 1993. I was in the Air Force and a part of the Pre-game festivities. You signed a baseball for me, which I have on my mantle at home now. Thank you. I'm still in the Air Force and have served now for 27 years. My question is this: What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for in your baseball career?

Don Mattingly Wrote:

Mark,

I want to be remembered for playing hard and giving it everything I had to give.

Sincerely,
Don Mattingly

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Interview ends here.
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