Call it the beginning of an amicable breakup. A one-page statement released yesterday morning was supposed to shed some light on the status of Don Mattingly, maybe even hint at his career plans.

But the faxed announcement, which has become the communique of choice for the Yankees, was as cryptic as the situation. The best interpretation? Mattingly does not figure into the Yankees' equation next season, yet does not want the club to look any worse for his departure.

The statement, issued through Mattingly's spokesman Ray Schulte, never indicated that the first baseman would retire or sit out the 1996 season. There was more than a subtle suggestion, however, that Mattingly would step aside and allow the team to take full advantage of the free-agent market.

"Mattingly will continue to contemplate his future as it pertains to what is best for his family," the statement said. "He has always maintained that this was very important to him and continues to do so."

Appropriately, Mattingly is on vacation with his wife, Kim, and their three sons, Taylor, 10, Preston, 8, and Jordon, 4. He has kept a low profile during the offseason, letting agent Jim Krivacs handle any negotiations with the Yankees. It was Krivacs who sat down with principal owner George Steinbrenner in Tampa Friday and told the Boss his client would need more time to make a decision.

Steinbrenner, ever anxious to get Mattingly back in uniform, apparently could not convince the captain to return. The principal owner has sought to re-sign Mattingly since the impasse with Buck Showalter, probably to alleviate the uproar over his manager's departure. It was a smart strategy, but a difficult one, especially because Mattingly's best days are behind him. Mattingly seems to realize that now, after compiling a .307 career average with 2,153 hits, 222 home runs and 1,099 RBI.

"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. "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."

General manager Bob Watson, who has earned a reputation as a deal-maker, was the man who set this process in motion. Maybe the club did not set a deadline for Mattingly. But Watson said Thursday that he would hear personally from Mattingly the following afternoon, when Mattingly would tell him if he was going to play next season.

The GM later denied the comments, which he made to a group of reporters during a news conference at Yankee Stadium, and said he never spoke to the captain. Krivacs did talk with Steinbrenner Friday, however, and that's when some semblance of a decision was reached.

That meeting, according to yesterday's release, was to "inform [Steinbrenner] that Don Mattingly was unable to commit, at this time, to playing Major League Baseball next year . . . Out of respect and consideration for Mr. Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees organization, Don wanted Mr. Steinbrenner to proceed in making whatever personnel decisions he felt necessary to make the team competitive in 1996."

Those decisions began Monday when the Yankees acquired catcher Joe Girardi from the Rockies in exchange for Double-A pitcher Mike DeJean and a player to be named. Girardi, supposedly a defensive upgrade from free agent Mike Stanley, is a downgrade offensively. That move was an obvious signal that the Yankees would search aggressively for more power and run production, and the position most susceptible to an overhaul is first base. All that was needed was for Mattingly to step aside gracefully.

Mattingly, 34, batted .288 last season, but had only seven home runs and 49 RBI. He was bothered by hamstring problems, a viral infection in his right eye and the constant nuisance of an ailing back. Perhaps the first playoff appearance of his 13-year career was enough to make him seriously consider retirement, especially after he played as well as he did during the postseason. He hit .417 during the five-game series against the Mariners, with one home run and six RBI. Mattingly was cheered wildly during every at-bat in the two games in the Bronx, and those memories could carry him for the rest of his life if he chooses to walk away from baseball.

"Donnie is a Yankee and always will be a Yankee as far as we are concerned," Steinbrenner said. "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."

Ah, the decision. If Mattingly does want to return, Schulte made clear that the Yankees are his first choice. But if the club already has filled its needs at first base and cannot find a spot for him, then signing with another team is an option. That seems a long way off at this point, however.

"The way we're looking at it is a process of decision-making," Schulte said. "I don't think you'll ever hear Donnie use the word retire."

By David Lennon. STAFF WRITER

Copyright 1995, Newsday Inc.