New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly wins his $1.975 million arbitration case, breaking the record for the largest amount ever awarded to a player

On February 17 1987 – New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly wins his $1.975 million arbitration case, breaking the record for the largest amount ever awarded to a player set by Jack Morris just four days ago.

Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees on Tuesday became the highest-paid player produced by 13 years of salary arbitration, winning a one-year contract worth $1,975,000.

Reacting to the news from his Tampa. Fla., office. Yankees’ owner George Steinbrenner hinted he might file a grievance of the award, which surpassed the $1,850,000 contract won on Friday by pitcher Jack Morris of the Detroit Tigers

“He (Mattingly) and I were very close to an agreement, but both the player and his agent came back and said they were getting pressure from the union” to go through arbitration. Steinbrenner said. “I’m not sure that’s totally ungrievable. It may be grievable.”

Don Fehr, executive director of the Major League Players Association, called Steinbrenner’s charge “patent claptrap.” “This is a bully acting like somebody in the corner,” Fehr said. “Here’s a man realizing now that he can’t explain to the people of New York how he let all these star players who could have filled holes in his lineup getaway.

“As to pressure, Mattingly did what he wanted’ Fehr said “As to, do we give players advice? Sure. George can file a grievance if he wants. It’s just public relations ‘

Mattingly won a Gold Glove at first base last year and batted .352 with 113 RBI and 31 homers. He set club records with 238 ints and 53 doubles, in 1985, Mattingly hit .321 with 35 homers and an American League-leading 115 RBI He won the AL batting title in 1984. hitting .343.

“This is still a team sport,” Steinbren- ner said, “and he has to do his part for us to win 1 have great confidence in him. The only thing that came to me — and, mind you, there was no bitterness — is that I used to think of Don Mattingly as the little kid from Evansville. That’s the way he portrayed himself. The union had a fine hand in driving this kid, and he’s now no longer the little Hoosier from the Indiana river. He’s out for the almighty buck.”

Mattingly, generally considered the best player today, became the sixth highest-paid player for 1987. trailing only Jim Rice of Boston, George Brett of Kansas City, Eddie Murray of Baltimore, Mike Schmidt of Philadelphia and Gary Carter of the Mets.

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