TAMPA, Fla. -- Don Mattingly wants to preserve the option of returning to baseball in 1997, but the former New York Yankees captain doesn' t sound like a man itching to return this year.

``I didn't think I'd be ready to go into spring training mentally, '' he said from his Evansville, Ind., home Thursday during a conference call with reporters. ``I wasn't willing to do the work in the gym necessary to get ready.''

The six-time All-Star retired after 13 seasons as the Yankees first baseman with nine Gold Gloves, one batting title and a long-awaited playoff appearance last year.

Days once spent at the ballpark are now whiled away on a farm with his wife, three children and six show horses.

``I'm really looking forward to the horse season,'' said Mattingly, who will take his family to a show in Atlanta next month. ``I feel like my top job now is bus driver.''

Once among the game's most respected players, he has not appeared at the Yankees' new spring-training complex -- out of concern he would divert attention from his former team.

He said he'll visit New York during the season but probably steer clear of Yankee Stadium unless he makes a definitive decision to retire.

A .417 batting average with 1 home run and 6 RBI in a five-game Division Series against the Seattle Mariners last year convinced Mattingly he could still excel in the game.

``It's not really a matter of if I can play, it's do I want it. I haven't been as talented as a lot of guys. I always had to work harder and be more prepared. At this point I'm just not as willing to lay it on the line.''

Baseball itself was still fun, Mattingly said, but time away from the ballpark and away from his family became more trying.

``I'd catch myself in a hotel room for four days on a trip and never get out of it until I leave for the ballpark,'' he said. ``It was driving me crazy. I just didn't want to be on the road anymore.''

He said he had a ``pretty good'' relationship with owner George Steinbrenner, whom he accused last year of trying to run him out of baseball.

Regarding his successor at first base, Tino Martinez, he said, ``He' s worked very hard. Everything he's gotten, he's earned. And the cigars he gave me are awesome. Now I'm smoking two cigars a day instead on one every two weeks.''

Mattingly said he would keep tabs on how Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg fares in his comeback after 1-1/2 years away from baseball.

A lifetime .307 hitter, Mattingly hit 222 home runs. He was the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1985 when he hit .324 with 35 homers and 145 RBI.

``I know I still have gas left,'' he said. ``I'm only 34 years old. I've always stayed in shape. The biggest part of my game was my quick hands. When I left, I still had that. Whether they're still there a year from now, if I decide to return, we'll find out.''

GALLAGHER, JAY

Copyright 1996, Gannett News Service, a division of Gannett Co., Inc.