Yankees and Mattingly Agree to 5-Year, $19.3-Million Extension

Don Mattingly, who has prospered with the New York Yankees even as others have faltered under the pressure of playing for owner George Steinbrenner, made sure that he would continue in New York, agreeing Monday to a $19.3-million, five-year contract extension through the 1995 season.

The contract will make him the highest-paid player in baseball.

Mattingly, who will make $2.5 million in 1990 during the final season of a three-year deal worth $6.7 million, threatened to become a free agent after the season unless he got an extension before opening day.

Steinbrenner acquiesced. “A superstar is a superstar, so I can justify that salary,” he said. “A Don Mattingly will attract people to see my club play.”

Under the new deal, which includes a $2-million signing bonus and a no-trade clause, Mattingly will average $3.86 million per season and break two of baseball’s salary records:

--Dollar amount, the $16-million, five-year contract pitcher Mark Langston signed with the Angels as a free agent last Dec. 1.

--Average annual salary, $3.75 million to Will Clark from the San Francisco Giants.

Mattingly, who will be 29 on April 20, batted .303 last year with 23 homers and 113 runs batted in. He is a lifetime .323 hitter in 6 1/2 seasons, with 164 homers and 717 RBIs.

Mattingly will make $3.02 million in 1991, $3.22 million in 1992, $3.42 million in 1993, $3.62 million in 1994 and $4.02 million in 1995. Clark, who will make $4.25 million in 1993, is the only other player to top the $4 million mark.

Mattingly has generally stayed away from clubhouse controversy, although he and Steinbrenner have jousted verbally.

“I feel like certain players don’t need to come here and shouldn’t come,” Mattingly said. “But . . . I’ve always liked it here and enjoyed playing here.”