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MLB Players Weekend: New York’s Best Baseball Nicknames of All-Time

By Mike Vivalo

Sep 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; A bobble head doll of Babe Ruth on the field prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; A bobble head doll of Babe Ruth on the field prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK – JULY 9: Don Mattingly swings at a pitch during the New York Yankees 59th annual old-timers’ day before the start of the Yankees game against the Cleveland Indians on July 9, 2005 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Indians defeated the Yankees 8-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JULY 9: Don Mattingly swings at a pitch during the New York Yankees 59th annual old-timers’ day before the start of the Yankees game against the Cleveland Indians on July 9, 2005 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Indians defeated the Yankees 8-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

“Donnie Baseball”

Grit, toughness, and a lefty swing as smooth as silk.  Don Mattingly captivated Yankees fans during the 80’s when there was pretty much nothing else to cheer about.  Donnie peaked in 1985 with a preposterous line of 107 R/211 H/48 2B/145 RBI/35 HR/.324 BA. The Yanks have #23 retired in Monument Park, but ol’ boy never got that ring.  (Side note: How pissed must Mattingly have been at the 1994 players strike, just when the Yanks were beginning their run.)

ORIGIN: Supposedly, Twins HOFer Kirby Puckett gave Mattingly the nickname because he was always thinking and talking about baseball.

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