Beloved New York Yankees icon and former team captain Don Mattingly is stepping up to the plate in a whole new way this holiday season — not on the baseball diamond, but on television screens across the country. Hallmark Channel has officially announced that Mattingly will star in an upcoming Christmas movie as part of their celebrated “Countdown to Christmas” lineup.

The film, tentatively titled “Miracle in the Ninth”, will feature Mattingly as a retired ballplayer who returns to his snowy hometown to help a struggling community baseball team — and ends up rediscovering the magic of the holidays, family, and second chances.

“This is a new kind of role for me, but the message is something I believe in deeply,” Mattingly said in a press statement. “Baseball has always been about bringing people together, and so is the holiday spirit. I’m honored to be part of a story that blends both.”

Mattingly will be joined by a few other legendary athletes — some from baseball, others from different sports — in a story that mixes nostalgia, heart, and a dash of holiday miracle. The Hallmark Channel praised Mattingly’s quiet charisma and timeless appeal, calling him “the perfect choice for a story about leadership, healing, and hope.”

Fans of the Yankees and Mattingly himself are thrilled by the news. Social media lit up with excitement:

“Donnie Baseball saves Christmas? You had me at hello.”
“Hallmark just hit a grand slam.”

As the longtime first baseman and 9-time Gold Glove winner brings his signature calm leadership from the clubhouse to the silver screen, one thing is clear: this holiday season, Don Mattingly is ready to deliver another unforgettable performance — no bat required.

Tune in this December to catch Don Mattingly in what might be his most heartwarming appearance yet.