Last Updated: April 17th, 2024 by Michael Schatz
Mickey Mantle is one of the best to ever play the game of baseball. For 18 years, he would make the impossible seem routine, regularly wowing fans whenever he stepped onto the field. He had too many highlights to count, so let’s focus on a few that stand out and helped define The Mick’s career.
Rookie Sensation: The Birth of “The Mick” in 1951
Mickey Mantle made his MLB debut at just 19 years old. Despite his youth, Mantle showcased the skills that would make him a future Hall of Famer. He finished his rookie season with a respectable .267 average, 13 home runs and 65 RBI. He would appear in two games of the ’51 World Series, going 1 for 5 and drawing 2 walks.
Beyond the statistics, it was Mantle’s athleticism and raw talent that left spectators and seasoned players alike in awe. His ability to hit from both sides of the plate with equal power and finesse set him apart from his contemporaries and hinted at the historic career that lay ahead.
Triple Crown Triumph: Mantle’s Dominant 1956 Season
Mickey Mantle cemented his place amongst the game’s best by winning the Triple Crown in 1956. All he did that season was hit .353 with 52 home runs and 130 RBIs.
He also capped the 1956 campaign off with another trophy for his trophy case: The MVP.
Chasing History: The Race for Babe Ruth’s Record in 1961
Long before Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire embarked on their epic home run race, Mickey Mantle and his teammate Roger Maris captivated fans across the country with a race of their own. In 1961, the M and M Boys as they’d come to be known, were chasing what at the time was the greatest record in baseball history: Babe Ruth’s single-season record of 60 home runs.
Fans and media alike were captivated, with each game drawing immense attention as both Yankees pursued historical excellence.
Though Maris ultimately broke Ruth’s record, Mantle’s performance throughout the 1961 season remains a testament to his greatness and an integral chapter in his legendary career. He finished that season with 54 home runs, a personal high, along with a .317 average, 128 RBIs, and a lead-leading 126 walks.
Joining The Club: Mantle’s 500th Home Run
On May 14, 1967, Mickey Mantle joined the exclusive 500 Home Run Club when he took a 7th-inning offering from Orioles right-hander Stu Miller deep into the bleachers at Yankee Stadium.
To date, there are only 28 members of the 500 Home Run Club. And when we look at the overall home run leaders, Mantle sits at number 18 with his 536.
Hall of Fame Induction: Cementing a Legacy in 1974
Mickey Mantle was rewarded with baseball immortality when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974, having received 88.2% of the vote. Five years prior, on July 8, 1969, the Yankees immortalized Mantle in another way, retiring his #7 jersey and unveiling his plaque in Monuments Park.
When it was all said and done, Mantle finished his illustrious 18-year career with a .298 average, 536 home runs, 1509 RBIs and three MVP Awards.
All-Star Stalwart: 20 Appearances in Baseball’s Midsummer Classic
Despite playing only 18 seasons, Mickey Mantle was a 20-time All-Star. That’s because the All-Star Game was played twice annually from 1959 to 1962.
He made his appearances memorable as well. In the 1956 All-Star Game, he hit a home run off Robin Roberts. In 1958 he went 3-for-4, displaying his batting skills against some of the best pitchers of his era.
7-Time World Series Champion: Delivering When It Matters Most
Mickey Mantle was an integral part of the Yankees’ dominating run from the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Mantle and his Yankee teammates would go on to win a staggering 7 World Series during that time.
And Mantle more than did his part, winning three World Series MVP awards in 1956, 1957, and 1962, respectively.
Record Setter: World Series Home Run King
If winning 7 championships and 3 World Series MVPs wasn’t enough, Mickey Mantle decided he needed to hold the all-time World Series home run record as well. His first came in 1952, when he was only 20 years old, and his final came in 1964.
In total, Mantle hit 18 World Series home runs. That record still stands today. It’s three more than #2 on the list: Babe Ruth.
Gold Glove Award: Recognizing Mantle’s Defensive Excellence
When most people think of Mickey Mantle they think of his impressive offensive achievements. But Mickey reminded everyone of the all-around player he was by winning a Gold Glove in 1962. As a center fielder, Mantle exhibited a rare blend of agility, speed, and precision.
The Gold Glove illuminated Mantle’s versatility and spoke volumes about his commitment to every facet of his game.