BRONX, N.Y. —On this date in 1961, Donnie Baseball was born. Born in Evansville, Indiana, Donald Arthur Mattingly spent parts of 14 seasons playing primarily first base for the New York Yankees.
Selected in the 19th round of the 1979 draft, Mattingly played in pinstripes from 1982 to 1995.
Mattingly, whose No. 23 was retired in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium in 1997, remains a fan favorite of the Bronx faithful to this day.
In 1984, Mattingly edged teammate Dave Winfield for the AL batting title. Donnie Baseball followed that campaign by earning the 1985 AL MVP.