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Mickey versus Willie---Again

© Harold Friend

Willie Mays was the most exciting player of his time, but the most exciting is not always the best. James Bond films are exciting, but they were not the best films of their era. Driving a Corvette is exciting, but the Corvette was not the best car of its era. And Willie Mays was exciting, but Willie Mays was not the best player of his era. Willie Mays was not Mickey Mantle.

Mickey Mantle had more pure talent than anyone who ever played the game, with the exception of Babe Ruth. Mantle hit the ball farther, ran faster, and stole bases more successfully than anyone who ever played the game. His natural talent was so amazing that experienced baseball people who thought they had seen it all were taken aback when they saw Mantle play as only he could.

Hall of Fame Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto: "I never saw anybody hit the ball so hard. When he swings the bat, you just have to stop and watch." (Quotes) Manager of the 1961 and 1962 World Champion Yankees, Ralph Houk: "I played with DiMaggio before I played and managed Mickey. Nobody, but nobody, could hit a ball as hard and as far from both sides of the plate as Mickey could. He was just awesome." (Quotes) St. Louis Cardinals great Marty Marion: “There’s one thing he can’t do very well. He can’t throw left-handed. When he goes in for that, we’ll have the perfect ballplayer.” (Baseball Page). And of greatest significance, because being great is not enough for the greatest, Yankees shortstop Tom Tresh: "We never thought we could lose as long as Mickey was playing. The point was, we had Mickey and the other team didn't.” (Quotes)

When Mickey Mantle trotted out to his position in centerfield, there was an indefinable uniqueness about him. He possessed a style and grace that was his alone and is possessed by the few who are special. Teammates, opponents, and fans felt his presence and incomparable talent. He was MICKEY MANTLE.

When Mantle stepped into the batters box, there was an undercurrent of excitement on the field and in the stands. Ballplayers stopped what they were doing and watched Mantle take batting practice. Vendors stopped selling hotdogs and fans stopped drinking their beers. All eyes, whether it was practice or the game was on the line, focused on Mickey Mantle.

Each time Mantle stepped to the plate, every fan in the Big Ballpark in the Bronx wondered if this would be the time that a fair ball finally left the Stadium. That alone made Mantle special, because no one else in the game had the awesome power to actually do it. And yet, in complete juxtaposition, no one would be surprised if he dragged a bunt down the first baseline and beat it out for a hit. That is what made Mantle so great. No one in the history of the game, and that reads “no one,” combined power and speed like Mickey Charles Mantle.

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