gold star for USAHOF

14. Don Mattingly

14. Don Mattingly
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: April 20, 1961 in Evansville, IN USA
  • Weight: 175 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 08, 1982
  • Final Game: October 01, 1995
  • TSN All-Star - 1984
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1984
  • Gold Glove - 1985
  • Most Valuable Player - 1985
  • Silver Slugger - 1985
  • TSN All-Star - 1985
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 1985
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1985
  • Gold Glove - 1986
  • Silver Slugger - 1986
  • TSN All-Star - 1986
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1986
  • Gold Glove - 1987
  • Silver Slugger - 1987
  • TSN All-Star - 1987
  • Gold Glove - 1988
  • Gold Glove - 1989
  • Gold Glove - 1991
  • Gold Glove - 1992
  • Gold Glove - 1993
  • Lou Gehrig Memorial Award - 1993
  • Gold Glove - 1994
  • MVP - 1984
  • MVP - 1985
  • MVP - 1986
  • MVP - 1987
  • MVP - 1989
  • MVP - 1993
  • MVP - 1994
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
1400620144306444219828 0.307
 
Don Mattingly can make a claim as the best player for the Yankees in the 1980’s.  He can also make a claim as the best hitter in the American League over the same timeframe.  The First Baseman would break out in 1984 where he would go to his first of his six straight All-Star Games where he was the Yankees “Hit Man”.

In those years, Mattingly exceeded over 185 Hits in a season, two of which were enough to lead the American League in Hits.  Needless to say, this led to a very high Batting Average and during that three-year stretch, he won one Batting Title and never batted below .300.  He was named the American League MVP in 1985 and was the runner-up in ’86, though that year saw him net even better offensive statistics. 

“Donnie Baseball” however would suffer from severe back problems that would render the second half of his career being a shell of what he was in the first half.  That likely cost him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He also holds the dubious distinction of being the “unluckiest” Yankee star, as he never participated in a World Series ceremony as a player for New York.  Despite having no rings, the Yankees retired his number 23 in 1997.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: First Base
  • Acquired: Selected in the 19th Round of the Amateur Draft 6/5/79.
  • Departed: Retired 1/??/97.
  • Games Played: 1785
  • Notable Statistics: 1,007 Runs Scored
    2,153 Hits
    442 Doubles
    20 Triples
    222 Home Runs
    1,099 Runs Batted In
    14 Stolen Bases
    .307/.358/.471 Slash Line
    42.4 bWAR

    5 Playoff Games
    3 Runs Scored
    10 Hits
    4 Doubles
    0 Triples
    1 Home Run
    6 Rus Batted In
    0 Stolen Bases
    .417/.440/.708 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards: MVP (1985)
    All-Star (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 & 1989)
    Silver Slugger (1985, 1986 & 1987)
    Gold Glove (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1999, 1991, 1992, 1993 & 1994)
    Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1993)
    Highest Batting Average (1984)
    Highest Slugging Percentage (1986)
    Highest OPS (1986)
    Most Plate Appearances (1986)
    Most Hits (1984 & 1986)
    Most Total Bases (1985 & 1986)
    Most Doubles (1984, 1985 & 1986)
    Most Runs Batted In (1985)
    Highest OPS+ (1986)
    Most Sacrifice Flies (1985)
    Most Putouts (1986)
    Most Putouts by a First Baseman (1986)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman (1985 & 1991)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a First Baseman (1992)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a First Baseman (1990, 1993 & 1994)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a First Baseman (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993 & 1994)

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