Don Mattingly – Hall of Fame Worthy?
Arriving in New York in 1982 at 21 years old, Don Mattingly was behind prospect Steve Balboni as far as the Yankee first base plans were. But it soon became apparent that the left-handed hitting Don Mattingly was a better fit for Yankee Stadium than the strike out prone Balboni, who was dealt to Kansas City in 1984. Don Mattingly became the full time first baseman in ’84, and responded with a wonderful campaign. He batted .343 with 23 homers and 110 runs batted in, and he played first base like few players ever have. Don Mattingly committed only five miscues in the field that year, and his .996 fielding percentage at first would ironically end up being the same as his career mark at the position, tied for the best ever. Don Mattingly found himself in the batting title race with teammate Dave Winfield, and the pursuit came down to the last game of the season. Winfield went 1 for 4 against Detroit in the finale, and Don Mattingly won his only batting title when he went 4 for 5 in a 4-2 victory. In winning the crown, Don Mattingly also was the first New York southpaw to bat over .340 since Lou Gehrig turned the trick in 1937.
An MVP season in 1985 awaited Don Mattingly, as his 145 RBI became the most runs batted in by a left-handed hitter since Ted Williams had collected 159 in 1949. He led the rest of the circuit in runs batted in by 21, the largest margin since Al Rosen in 1953. In addition, Don Mattingly batted .324, hit 35 home runs and was awarded the first of nine Gold Gloves at first base. The following year, Don Mattingly hit .352 with 31 homers and 113 runs batted in, but finished second in the MVP balloting at year’s end to Boston’s Roger Clemens.
1987 brought a 30 homer, 115 RBI effort out of Don Mattingly, but while horsing around with pitcher Bob Shirley in the clubhouse, he hurt his back. The back problems would often flare up for the rest of his career, and eventually cause Don Mattingly to lose much of his power hitting ability. Don Mattingly tied a major league record in 1987 when he hit a home run in eight consecutive games, a mark previously held alone by Dale Long and since achieved by Ken Griffey Jr. The evening after his homer skein was stopped, Don Mattingly tied a record by recording 22 putouts at first base. Don Mattingly also hit a major league record six grand slams in 1987, a mark equaled this year by the Indians’ Travis Hafner. The half dozen bases loaded homers were the only grand slams Don Mattingly ever hit.
During Don Mattingly’s best years, 1985-1987, the slugger struck out only 114 times. But 1988 was a down year as the back problems arose in earnest and Don Mattingly struggled to a .311 average and 88 runs batted in. He rebounded in 1989, his last great year, with 23 homers and 113 RBI, but after that season Don Mattingly would never knock in more than 86 runs in a single year. He batted above .300 only once more before his retirement, as his chronic back pain cut into his flexibility and playing time. After appearing in a playoff series against the Mariners with the wild-card Yankees, and batting .417 in the five game loss, Don Mattingly would retire.
The argument that Don Mattingly did not sustain greatness over a long enough period of time to gain the Hall of Fame is a valid one. From 1984 through 1989 he was the best player in the game, but his falloff from there was dramatic. However, one could argue that his overall numbers are just as good as the late Puckett, who became a first ballot Hall of Fame member in 2001. Don Mattingly had more homers and RBI than Kirby in over 200 fewer at bats, but whether Don Mattingly one day enters the Hall will more than likely be the responsibility of the Veterans’ Committee. Don Mattingly is currently the hitting coach for the Yankees, and his number 23 was retired by the team in 1997. What Don Mattingly could have accomplished had he stayed healthy will never be known, but the legions of Yankee fans who saw him play will never forget his contributions.
