Lot # 2598: 1986 Don Mattingly Salary Arbitration Case and Agent's Presentation

Don Mattingly's salary arbitration case in 1986 was highly publicized at the time. Mattingly, one of the top players at the time, was seeking a salary of $1.5 million. George Steinbrenner and the Yankees were offering $1.32 million to avoid arbitration (the same offer the Mets settled to pay star pitcher Dwight Gooden during arbitration). Mattingly rejected that offer and was planning to go into arbitration. Prior to scheduled arbitration meetings, the Yankees and Mattingly agreed on a $1.375 million salary for the upcoming season, which made "Donnie Baseball" the third highest-paid Yankee at the time, behind Dave Winfield and Rickey Henderson. Offered here is the "Player Presentation" binder prepared for the arbitration case, along with a presentation copy from Mattingly's agent. The three-ringer binder houses pages filled with a plethora of information supporting Mattingly's case, including past year statistics and comparisons to other top players in the league at the time. His agent's presentation copy features many pages of additional supporting statistics and information on Mattingly's behalf, including a number of key points highlighted throughout the pages. Both items are in Excellent condition. These are interesting artifacts related to a historical point in Don Mattingly's career.