Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle is a true New York Yankee treasure. Playing with no other professional team, Mantle spent 18 years with Yankees during which he set records and gave sports fans memories to last a lifetime.

Discovered by a Yankee scout while he was playing for the Baxter Springs Whiz Kids in 1948, Mantle’s first game with the Yankees was on April 17, 1951 when he played right field to Joe DiMaggio’s center. The Yankees won the World Series that year as they would do six more times in Mantle’s career, and DiMaggio called Mantle, “The greatest prospect I can remember.” Mantle replaced DiMaggio at center field in 1952 where he stayed until 1965 when he moved to left field, and then finished his career at first base in 1968. In 1956 Mantle had what is considered his greatest year in which he won the Triple Crown; the Male Athlete of the Year award, the American League MVP, and the Player of the Year award. He received the American League MVP again in 1957 and 1962, and was given the Gold Glove award in 1962.

A tremendous hitter and known for his ability to switch hit, Mantle still holds the records for most World Series home runs with 18, and is number 16 in career home runs with 546. Not only a hitter, Mantle could do everything on the baseball field, and to this day is considered, along with Willie Mays, as one of the game’s greatest all around players. His iconic number “7” was retired in 1969 and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.