Don Mattingly is arguably one of the best Yankees players that MLB has ever seen. The former first baseman had a .307 lifetime batting average and impressed the crowd with his hitting ability. Mattingly may not have won a single World Series in his time with the Bronx Bombers, but he did a splendid job as the leader of the Yankees clubhouse. So much so that, just like Derek Jeter, many still refer to him as ‘The Captain.’
The Hit Man recently made an appearance at the Yankees autograph show at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. At sixty-one years of age, Mattingly still looks fit enough to be a part of the team. And that is exactly what some people think the former Yankee should do!
Twitter users want Don Mattingly to join the Yankees again
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Donnie Baseball has kept up with the baseball world even after hanging up his uniform. Joining various teams as the coach or manager, Mattingly has kept up a regular presence in his beloved sport. When Michael Kay from ESPN posted a photo of himself and Mattingly, fans erupted in love and support. But perhaps most importantly, they wanted the retired athlete to once again take up number 23 and join the Yankees again.
My favorite baseball player of all time, I don’t care if he didn’t win a championship, he is the reason I watch baseball!
— XREY75 (@Danny35061) February 5, 2023
Great pic. Should still be a Yankee.
— Cool Baseball Book Guy (@MontgomeryBook) February 5, 2023
Don Mattingly my childhood hero not spider-Man,hulk or superman.
The Yankees Captain:Donnie Baseball.— Wilson Lopez 🇵🇷 (@willopez1976) February 4, 2023
Cap still looking in good shape! Hope he doesn’t teach & inspire the Bluejays too much!
— Pat (@pcimprezzive) February 4, 2023
One day hopefully back in pinstripes.
— Gregg Weiss (@greggweiss) February 5, 2023
I wish he was our manager! What a missed opportunity. 😢
— Dr. Psychlist (@Psychlist73) February 4, 2023
Should’ve been our manager this year
— derek (@NYderek_22) February 4, 2023
Mattingly has managed the LA Dodgers and the Miami Marlins before. But now fans want him to join the Steinbrenners to work behind the scenes for the Yankees.
Will Donnie Baseball ever come out of retirement?
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Mattingly retired in 1995 after he hurt his back, but apparently, that wasn’t the only reason. In an interview with Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, the former Yankee talked about how he wanted to spend more time with his family and how that was the reason he truly retired.
READ MORE – Massive Don Mattingly Update Boosts Derek Jeter’s Chances to Return to the MLB in a Different Role
“A lot of people say it was my back, but they just don’t know. It was a decision for my boys. They were starting high school and I wanted to be around to be part of their life. If I had signed another contract, my older two wouldn’t hardly know me. It was a family decision. That part was easy. I don’t have any regrets about that,” he said.
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Even though Mattingly was never inducted into the Hall of Fame, he seems okay with that and his decision to quit while he was ahead. And yet, fans would love to see him back in pinstripes.