NEW YORK (AP) _ Don Mattingly made it official Tuesday, saying the 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 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.

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 se t 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.''

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. ``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.

Yankees general manager Bob Watson, who must fill the hole left by Mattingly's departure, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

Copyright© 1995 The Evansville Courier, a Scripps Howard newspaper & The Associated Press