Donnie…Broadway?

During a performance of “The Nutcracker” by the Evansville Ballet on Saturday, Don Mattingly played the part of Mother Ginger. I know he’s from Evansville, still spends time there in the offseason and has extreme pride in the city, but this makes me wonder what kind of dirt Mark Bush, the ballet’s artistic director, has on Donnie.

How do you get a former New York Yankee legend and the current manager of a team from one of the biggest markets in the world to “don” makeup, a wig and a big frilly dress?

Whatever. If anyone can pull it off it’s Hitman. Heck, had I been in town I would’ve went to see it…both showings probably.

If you have ever wanted to see Donald Arthur Mattingly cross dressing — and Lord knows I have (wait wut?) — check out the picture after the jump.

I must say, I never thought I’d see my favorite athlete of all time like this. Although I’m sure, much like that pitch from Andy Benes in Game 2 of the 1995 ALDS, Mattingly knocked his performance out of the park.

He seemed to be a good sport about it, even though he knows his players are going to break balls once the season arrives:

"It’s kinda cool gettin’ out on that limb, outta your comfort zone…It’s been a good time.I know in spring training a video will surface somewhere."

For a brief snippet of the performance and to hear Mattingly talk about the experience, check out this video.