New York Yankee first baseman Don Mattingly was arguably the best player in baseball from 1984 to 1987. Christened "Donnie Baseball" by Minnesota Twins slugger Kirby Puckett, Mattingly won the admiration of his peers with a dogged work ethic and an unwavering respect for the integrity of the game. The winner of the 1985 Most Valuable Player Award, Mattingly was named New York Yankee captain in 1991, becoming the tenth man so entrusted in the team's illustrious history. Chronic back problems put a premature end to his career after the 1995 season. The Yankees retired Mattingly's number and erected a plaque in his honor on August 31, 1997.

Further Reading:

Shatzkin, Mike. The Ballplayers: Baseball's Ultimate Biographical Reference. New York, William Morrow, 1990.