NEW YORK (AP) - Don Mattingly didn't say he was retiring. He just told the New York Yankees to find another first baseman since he isn't sure what he wants to do.

Mattingly, probably signaling the end of an era, issued a vague statement Tuesday telling the team he doesn't know what to do.

"Mattingly was unable to commit at this time to playing major league baseball next year," said the statement issued by Ray Schulte, Mattingly's spokesman.

Owner George Steinbrenner told Mattingly's agent, Jim Krivacs, he wanted the free agent back next season.

"I am very grateful and appreciative that Mr. Steinbrenner has been actively pursuing me, through Jim, to sign an agreement to play next year," Mattingly said in the statement. "Contrary to what has been reported, Mr. Steinbrenner did not ask for or set a deadline for me to make a decision on my playing status.

"The organization needs to make critical personnel decisions now and I fully realize and respect their situation."

Mattingly came to the Yankees in 1983, was an All-Star from 1984-89 and has been the team's captain since the middle of the 1989 season. He has spent months trying to decide his future and still can't make a decision.

"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 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 be 35 on April 20, hit .288 last season with only seven homers and 49 RBIs in 458 at-bats.

Just a few months after signing a five-year contract extension in April 1990, he was disabled by back pain, which diminished much of his power. He hasn't hit 20 homers or drive in 90 runs in any season since.

"Donnie is a Yankee and always will be a Yankee as far as we are concerned," Steinbrenner said in the statement. "We're pleased that he has made it known that he wants to spend the rest of his career in baseball with the Yankees. We'll do everything we can to accommodate and support his decision concerning the 1996 season."

"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 RBIs.