Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1995                   TAG: 9511220061
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium

MATTINGLY NO LONGER IN N.Y. STATE OF MIND

Don Mattingly made it official Tuesday, saying the New York Yankees should find another first baseman while he contemplates retirement.

A vague statement from Mattingly spokesman Ray Shulte said: ``Mattingly was unable to commit at this time to playing major-league baseball next year.''

Mattingly's statement signaled the probable end of an era. He came up to the Yankees for good in 1983, was an All-Star from 1984-89 and has been the team's captain since the middle on the 1989 season.

``He has given tremendous thought to what he is saying and he understands the ramifications,'' Schulte said. ``He is unable to decide whether he wants to play or not.

``He's told [Yankees owner] George Steinbrenner at this time that he should go ahead, through free agency or trade, and get himself a first baseman if that's what he wants to do.''

Mattingly, who will turn 35 on April 20, hit .288 last season with seven homers and 49 RBI in 458 at-bats.

``The organization needs to make critical personnel decisions now,'' Mattingly said in a statement, ``and I fully realize and respect their situation.''

Steinbrenner, meanwhile, had high praise for Mattingly.

``Donnie is a Yankee and always will be a Yankee as far as we are concerned,'' Steinbrenner said in the statement.

``He has not ruled out playing in 1996,'' Schulte said. ``There are options. His allegiance is to New York, and if he decides to play, he would go back to Steinbrenner first.''

Mattingly has a .307 career average, 2,153 hits, 222 homers and 1,099 RBI.