DONNIE BASEBALL!
"The New York Yankees are the champions of baseball!" Joe Buck exclaimed via Fox Television on October 26, 1996. That is one night that will forever go down in history as the best one of my existence (which tells you something about my love life at that time). I can still remember all of the excitement that I experienced. It was awesome!
I have been a huge Yankees fan since 1989, during the time when Don Mattingly was beginning to enter the downside of his career due to his never-ending back spasms. Incidentally, to this day I don't understand why I have always liked Mattingly because I never even saw him play during his prime. I guess you could say that it was his personality that made me regard him as my favorite Yankee. He has always been and still is one of my role models. The way he carries himself on and off the field, with respect for all those around him, and with pride, is how all athletes these days should be. It is a pity that Mr. Mattingly was not able to earn his first Major League Baseball championship in 1996. He gave his heart to the Yankees. He stuck with his team and did not turn into yet another free-agent who only seeks money. Mr. Mattingly was faithful and just when it was about to pay off big-time, he decided that he would take a year off from baseball. For a man who had great timing on the field, as evidenced by his numerous Gold Gloves, he chose the wrong time to step away from the game.
One thing is for sure, when Charlie Hayes caught that foul ball, thus securing the 1996 baseball crown, I could not help but think about Mr. Mattingly. Even as I jumped for joy, in the back of my mind all was not well. I can't believe I am writing this, but it was a bittersweet moment. Yes, my favorite sports franchise had finally gotten it done. The baseball gods had finally decided to reward me for all of the time that I had spent caring about this team. However, the greatest Yankee first baseman since Lou Gehrig was not around. He was most probably watching from his home in Indiana, but what made it sad was that he wasn't on that pile of Yankees on the mound at Yankee Stadium.