"Personally, though, i had the best year of my career in 1956. Winning the Triple Crown was the highlight. But perhaps more important, 1956 was the first time I accomplished the things that had been predicted of me, and i finally established myself in the major leagues. And that's why, at least from my personal standpoint, 1956 was my favorite summer." (xviii)
(Mickey Mantle, 1956 Art Print)
Mickey Mantel was known to be one of the greatest baseball players to have played for the Yankees having his most prosperous season in the year 1956. His successes were unbelievable and his expectations were finally reached. To him his career was most successful in the summer of 1956.
"The next day, Casey wanted me to sit out and make sure my thigh muscle was completely healed. He was more concerned about it then i was. I told Casey i was good enough to play. I'm glad i did." Page 36
The Mick
As you can tell from Mickey's tone and spirit in this quote he owns the ball park! his stubbornness and willingness to persute through life made him a world renoun baseball player having people fear him and praise him!
"I came to bat in the first inning with nobody on. My first at bat of the season and I hit a good one of Pascual, a ball that cleared the center-field wall at the 408-foot sign. The wall was 31 feet high and the ball sailed over the wall and went out of the ballpark, across Fifth Street, and landed on the roof of a building. They said the ball traveled 465 feet. I hoped it was an omen for the season." Page 35
The Commerce Comet
Mickey Mantle sure did have his best sesaon like he had hoped for. He had 356 homeruns along with being named Most Vaulable Player and recieving the Triple crown. He is also on the Hall of Fame one of the most prestigious honors.
"That was the only time in my professional career that i actually cried after losing. It was also the only time in my career i felt like hitting one of my teammates. I won't tell you who it was because he's a good guy and still a friend, but after we had been beaten by the Pirates and we were all feeling lousy, on the flight home this particular player said, '' What's the big deal? It's only a game.'" Page 119
Mickey Mantle was no joke of a player! As you can obviously tell Mickey took the baseball games all seriously. He ws in it to win it and expected nothing else! He was a true player ready to celebrate but also ready to go back out the next day and practice harder to achieve more!
"The bet part was the bus ride home, through the streets of Brooklyn. There were no fans lining the streets on our route to Manhattan. No shouts, no curses, no threats. Nothing. Just our championship bus rolling along, carrying a bunch of noisy and happy players. World champions!" page 240
(1950's Cards)
It is apparent theat Mickey was never in baseball for the fame or money. All he wanted was to win which he was successful in doing! He played to win and enjoyed that more then the cheers and screaming fans praising his name! IAs you can tell Mickey was one of the more humble players! A champion player!
"I'm not sure if I'd want to be a player today. Except for the money, or course. Everything else, I wouldn't want to change. I played eighteen seasons, appeared in twelve World Series, as on the winning side in seven of them, set a few records, made the hall of fame and was the last player to lead the major leagues in batting average, home runs and runs batted in all in the same year, 1956. A year I'll never forget. My favorite summer." Page 246
Mickey Mantle will go down in history as one of the best baseball players of his time. His great spirit and fun personality not only added to his amazing career, but, in my opion, made him famous today. His records are unbelievable, and his history as a player i will go down ain the books as one of the best!!
Biography
(Mickey with Casey)
Mickey Mantle was born October 20, 1931 in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. He started his semi-professional career on the Baxter Spring team and was scouted out to play for the Yankees in 1951. He became the Yankee's right fielder and was suppose to be the next Big Shoot according to the Yankee's manager Casey Stengel. However, it took Mickey a long time to not only prove to himself but to everyone else that he was all that and more! He received awards consisting of The Triple Crown in 1956,the Hutch Award in 1956, Al MVP 1956, 1957, and 1962, the Gold Glove Award winner in 1962 and was a champion in 191, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1962, and 1963. His achievements range from having a batting average of .298 to having a huge number of 536 Homerus. Mickey Mantle dies on August 13, 1995. His name will live on forever and has gone down in the Hall of Fame. Mickey Mantle was a one of a kind, All Star, memorable baseball player who was one of the best of his time!
Mickey Mantle My Favorite Summer
Written by: Mickey Mantle and Phil PepeBy: KM
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As you can tell from Mickey's tone and spirit in this quote he owns the ball park! his stubbornness and willingness to persute through life made him a world renoun baseball player having people fear him and praise him!
1. Willie Mays
2. Ty Cobb
3. Ken Griffey Jr.
4. Joe DiMaggio
5. Mickey Mantle
6. Tris Speaker
7. Duke Snider
8. Oscar Charleston
9. Billy Hamilton
10. Larry Doby
“1950’s Cards” December 1, 2008
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"Early 50's Interview of Mickey Mantle" November 27, 2008
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYQ6f5C8jhg>
Mantle, Mickey and Pepe, Phil. Mickey Mantle My Favorite Summer. New York: Doubleday, 1991.
“Mickey Mantle” December 1, 2008
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"Mickey Mantle Footage" November 27, 2008
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvAHj9MHa4c>
“Mickey with Casey” December 1, 2008
<http://www.mickeymantle.net/items_images/1208157031Mickey%20and%20Casey%20Card%2004%2014%2008.jpg>
“New York Yankees Logo” December 1, 2008
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“Top 50 Center Field” December 1, 2008
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Wikipedia, "Mickey Mantle". Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. December 1, 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Mantle>