Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle, named for catcher Mickey Cochrane, was signed off the Oklahoma sandlots by the New York Yankees. He reached the majors in 1951 and inherited center field from Joe DiMaggio the next year. He became a national star in 1956, winning the Triple Crown as the only switch-hitter to ever do so.
Oklahoma Phenom
Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, in 1931 and named after Hall of Fame catcher Mickey Cochrane. His father groomed him as a switch-hitter from childhood. Scouted off the sandlots, he signed with the Yankees and debuted in 1951 at age 19.
Switch-Hitting Slugger
Taking over center field from DiMaggio, Mantle blended awesome power with rare speed. He won the Triple Crown and MVP in 1956 and added MVP awards in 1957 and 1962. His prodigious 'tape-measure' home runs from both sides of the plate became legendary.
Yankee Immortal
Mantle helped the Yankees win seven World Series titles and finished with 536 home runs despite chronic injuries. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974. Battling illness late in life, he died in Dallas in 1995 at age 63.
Career Timeline
- 1931Born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma
- 1951Debuts for the New York Yankees
- 1952Takes over center field from Joe DiMaggio
- 1956Wins Triple Crown and first AL MVP
- 1957Earns second American League MVP award
- 1961Hits 54 homers in race with Roger Maris
- 1962Wins third AL MVP award
- 1964Sets World Series career home run record
- 1968Plays final major-league season
- 1974Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame
- 1995Dies in Dallas, Texas, at age 63
Biggest Hits
- He is the only switch-hitter ever to win baseball's Triple Crown, leading the majors in 1956.
- His 18 World Series home runs remain a record, set across his seven championship teams with the Yankees.
Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons