Quotes

" The best parts (about hitting coach job) are being involved with baseball and big league players, being part of the season everyday. The worst part is definitely being away from my family, my wife, and my kids."

Don Mattingly, 7/04

"The plan is to have good at-bats, everybody. Make this guy work, you know? If everybody has good at-bats, has a good approach, hits the ball hard, things work out, you know? That's what the lineup can do is wear teams out. You've got to make this guy concentrate. Make the guy work from the top to the bottom."

Don Mattingly, 8/2/04

"It is really not that hard (to not be playing anymore) to be honest. I think you just realize your time is over in that area, your playing part is over. I have found other ways to compete and being on the field is just not part of it, which is not really possible for me anymore. I think as a coach it is important that you do not want to play, you need to be there for your players and make sure they have great seasons. Doing my job is helping them, but the competitiveness is there, just in a different way."

Don Mattingly, 7/04

"I have to agree, we have a great offensive club. The start was just part of the season really. We had a lot of new guys and I think everyone was getting used to playing in New York and getting settled in with new teammates, a new team, a new city. It just took a while for the guys to get comfortable. We are working to try and keep getting better throughout the season and hopefully will be at our best down the stretch run."

Don Mattingly, 6/04

"The book (I have with me during games) contains information on the opposing teams pitching. Most of the time, if I write in it, it is simply a side note or a note on the way a pitch moves for that particular pitcher."

Don Mattingly, 6/04

"You are what you eat, and today A-Rod didn't give himself anything good to eat. He's not swinging at strikes."

Don Mattingly, 4/20/04

"It was nice to come back and see the fans react like that. The start in New York is something special. It's the history of the game here. It's cool to be a part of that. It was nice to be appreciated."

Don Mattingly, 4/9/04

"It's kind of a different feel knowing I'm going to be here full-time. I'm doing things differently, trying to build relationships with guys. Before, when I saw something, I basically just told somebody else. You didn't have any long-term effect."

Don Mattingly, 4/5/04

" I look at my hiring of my job as a batting coach as simply that. I have been brought on to hopefully help our guys continue to be successful and nothing more than that. This is not a stepping-stone for my career."

Don Mattingly, 3/04

"(I) definitely work with each hitter individually. I do not try to push my style on anyone. I use the hitter's strengths."

Don Mattingly, 2/04

"Well, I think the entire (hitting coach job) is difficult, period. We have had a lot of great players that have had good years. I do not plan on good players making it any easier, but good players can also develop bad habits. That is something I am watching out for."

Don Mattingly, 2/04

"I am not quite sure how I will impact. Hopefully I have something to bring to the table. I think you would have to ask the players at the end of the year. I think the way the club swings the bat and how the players feel about me at the end of the year will answer that question."

Don Mattingly, 1/04