Don Mattingly & The Haircut That Rocked the Baseball World

Episode 059: During one fateful season, "The Don's" signature hairstyle got him into a conflict you must hear to believe. Let’s take a look at the haircut that rocked the baseball world!

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Don Mattingly played for the New York Yankees from 1982 to 1995 and was a beloved player and fan favorite. However, during one fateful season, "The Don's" signature hairstyle got him into a conflict you have to hear to believe. Let’s take a look at the haircut that rocked the baseball world! 

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For the Younger Generations: Don Mattingly's Career Recap

Image Courtesy of NBC Sports

Don Mattingly rose to fame as a first baseman for the New York Yankees in the early 1980s. He played his entire career for the Bombers, was the team captain, and played an important mentorship role for young guys who would become future all-stars - guys like Ricky Henderson, Bernie Williams, Roberto Kelly, and Bernie Williams.

Mattingly's awards roundup shows what a dominant force he was in the 80s. During his career, he earned:

• 6 All-Star selections.

• 9 Gold Gloves

• 3 Silver Sluggers

• An AL MVP award

• An AL Batting Champion award

Unfortunately, Don's career was cut short prematurely due to back injuries. But, even with his shortened career, he is still remembered as one of the greatest Yankees of all time.

Now that we've established the greatness of Don Mattingly, let's take a look at one particular moment that stands out in his career.

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Setting the Stage: The NY "Tankees" of the 1980's

Let's go back to 1991. Don had led the Yankees through almost a decade of disappointing seasons. This period of time was truly the dark ages for fans. Some of these squads were just plain bad. From Mattingly's rookie year in 1982 til his last season in 1995, the Yankees made the playoffs ONCE.

So let's focus specifically on the 1991 season. The season got off to another poor start and with back injuries worsening and the end of his career in sight, Don Mattingly asked the Yankees to trade him. For two months, the team, keeping his request behind closed doors, didn't even respond to his request.

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Don Mattingly’s Unique Hairstyle

Image Courtesy of Sportscasting.com

On any given day, you could find Don Mattingly sporting a classic mullet—fondly referred to as “The Don.” It featured short hair on the sides, with long locks in the back and a few curls up front.

The media quickly latched onto this iconic ‘do and it became almost as famous as Mattingly himself. In fact, some sports writers even credited Mattingly’s success to his hair! 

In August of 1991, Mattingly's hair and Yankees management collided in a huge way. On August 15, just hours before a game, the team's manager approached “the Don,” along with four other players (Steve Farr, Pascual Perez, and Matt Nokes.) They were all told they were in violation of the club's personal grooming policy, which stated:

"All players, coaches, and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches (except for religious reasons), and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. Long sideburns and “mutton chops” are not specifically banned.”

The manager said the order came straight from the team's general manager, Stick Michael. Stick and Don were already on thin ice over the trade request, and this order put the situation over the edge.

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The Situation Escalates Between Mattingly & Yankees Management

Image Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times

Just hours after the ultimatum, Don called a players-only meeting before their scheduled game that day. He reportedly told his teammates not to be concerned "with fighting my war." Mattingly also took some shots at the GM for the "petty" action and said he felt like he was "being pushed into a corner."

The meeting concluded and the players suited up to take the field. Mattingly's hair still remained untrimmed. Just minutes before the first pitch, the manager informed Don he had been benched and fined $250, plus an additional $100 for each succeeding day he did not get a haircut. 

The media went nuts. The New York Times reached out to GM Stick Michael after the game, who said:

"He's the captain and he's got a big contract. If we asked the captain to get his hair cut, he should get it cut."

George Steinbrenner, the team owner, even decided to make a public comment, saying that Mattingly needs to “set an example for young players” by getting a more conservative cut.

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Mattingly's Response After Being Benched

Image Courtesy of FanGraphs Baseball

As the baseball world followed this crazy story with intense interest, Mattingly responded to the comments from his team's GM and owner.

He started by re-stating his trade request, this time publicly. Mattingly said:

"There must be someone who would be interested in me. I'd go somewhere and hit eighth or ninth. I feel like I can still play."

Mattingly then responded to his GM's comments about needing to get a haircut because he was the team captain. Don said that:

"If Stick wants the players to do exactly what he says, then he should be the pitching coach, batting coach and fielding coach. Then come down here and be a part of it. But take part of the blame, too."

When the media asked if he planned to meet with the GM, he said: "I'd rather not. I've had enough of him, to tell you the truth."

Then, Don responded to Steinbrenner's criticism by saying if Steinbrenner wanted him to get rid of the mullet, he should tell him directly instead of publicly stating it.

For the most part, Mattingly's teammates took his side.

The club's designated hitter, Kevin Maas, told the New York Times that "I think it's so dumb, I'm not even going to talk about it."

Second baseman Steven Sax stated "It's nickel and dime. Somebody's hair is a ridiculous way to tear down a team."

What was going to happen? The Yankees fan base and the baseball world looked on in anticipation.

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Mattingly's Decision About His Hair

Image Courtesy of Elite Sports NY

Just a day later, on August 16, Don Mattingly finally broke the suspense in an interview with Baseball Digest, saying, "I'm going to get a haircut; I just haven't decided what kind yet."

And that's exactly what happened — Don Mattingly trimmed his hair into a more conservative cut. He also used the opportunity to help others, as he sold his trimmed locks for $3,000 and donated the money to charity.   

Mattingly also followed up the benching by stringing together a seven-game hitting streak, going 10-for-28 with three doubles.

The Yankees finished the season with 90 losses, but Mattingly remained team captain and kept hope alive for a brighter team future. Better years were right around the corner, though.

In 1994 Don led his club to 70 wins and a projected playoff berth before the season was cut short due to a players' strike. In 1995 the Yankees did make the playoffs, but lost in the divisional round to the Seattle Mariners. At the end of that season, with injuries continuing to hurt his production, Don Mattingly decided to retire.

If he had just held on ONE MORE year, he could have gotten his world series ring, as the Yankees won the whole thing in 1996. Even though Don never won a championship, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Yankees to ever step on the field.

And who could forget his famous haircut? It's just as legendary as Don Mattingly himself. One thing is for sure, that controversy will stick with him forever. Baseball fans will never forget Don Mattingly and his infamous mullet while playing for the New York Yankees.

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