Fansided

MLB Draft: Top 10 steals of all time

By David Salituro

ANAHEIM, CA - May 25: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - May 25: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST, 1995: Firstbaseman Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees, follows the flight of the ballhe’s just hit during a game in August, 1995 against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST, 1995: Firstbaseman Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees, follows the flight of the ballhe’s just hit during a game in August, 1995 against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

8. Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly had the misfortune of beginning his career just as one New York Yankees dynasty was ending and retiring right before another began.

Drafted in the 19th round, 493rd overall, in 1979, the only player picked that round who ever played in the Majors, Mattingly made his Yankees debut in 1982. From 1983, his first full year in the big leagues, to 1992 “Donnie Baseball” ranked sixth in the league in hits. In that same span, he was second in doubles and fifth in batting average. Every player ahead of him in those categories is a Hall of Famer. Mattingly, though, peaked at 28.2 percent in Hall of Fame voting and fell off the ballot after 15 years.

Mattingly was the latest in a long line of Yankees sluggers. He won the American League MVP Award in 1985, leading the league with 145 RBI. He won the batting title in 1984 with a .343 average and twice led the league in hits. In 1987 Mattingly tied the Major League record by homering in eight straight games. That same season he set a new mark with six grand slams. He was also a prolific fielder at first base, winning nine Gold Gloves over the course of his career. Mattingly served as captain of the Yankees from 1991 to 1995 before retiring with a .307 career average and 222 home runs.

The Yankees, though, never experienced much success during Mattingly’s tenure with the club. He only made one postseason appearance, losing in the ALDS in his final year. The year after he retired, the Yankees won the World Series and four of the next five titles.

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