On This Day In History | 1985
Mattingly vs. the Angels in 1986 (Getty Images)
On this day 27 years ago Don Mattingly became the first Yankee since Thurman Munson in 1976 to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, beating out Kansas City’s George Brett by a vote of 367-274. He led the league in doubles (48), RBIs (145), extra-base hits (86), sacrifice flies (15), and total bases (370). At the time his 145 runs batted in was the most by a left-handed hitter since Ted Williams had 159 in 1949. He was also second in the league in hits and slugging percentage, third in batting average, and fourth in home runs. “Donnie Baseball” was the first farm-grown Yankee to lead the team in home runs since Bobby Murcer did it from 1970-1973. Mattingly sparkled on the field as well, winning his first of 9 Gold Glove Awards with a .995 fielding percentage.
Mattingly’s 1985 Statistics
652 AB | 107 R | 211 H | 48 2B | 3 3B | 35 HR | 145 RBI | 56 BB | 41 SO | .324 BA | .371 OBP | .567 SLG
