1968 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"When it was announced last year that Mickey Mantle would be moved to first base, you could hear the feedback from the skeptics. His fragile knees won't hold up under the strain, they said, and he'll only be more vulnerable to injury now. But, with his characteristic mettle, the Mick made the transition from the outfield successfully.
With certain reservations, of course. He didn't exactly flash to his right to cut off scorching grounders, but he didn't stand around on a dime, either. Nor did he take part when the rest of the infield whipped the ball around after an out, but that's a play for the fans anyway.
Let's just say the Yankees and the fans around the league thought it was worth it just to see Mickey hit some of his patented homers. He hit 22 of them, to bring his career total to 518, placing him fifth on the all-time list of home run hitters. This year, he's bound to pass Ted Williams' total of 521. Fragile knees and all, Mickey played in 144 games last year. He batted .245 and drove in 55 runs."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1968
"'I want to hit 600 home runs. I hope to play two or three more years, and, if I do, I think I can reach 600.'
The Magnificent Mickey said that at the close of the '67 season, his 17th as a Yankee. He had passed the 500 home run mark, erased Lou Gehrig's old record to become the man who has played in more games than any Yankee - and made a remarkably smooth switch to first base from center field.
When Mickey was moved to first to extend his career, it was soon evident to Yankee fans that the move could do that and make possible new Mantle records. Not having to run so much, Mickey had less trouble with pulled leg muscles. He finished with a club-leading 144 games, hit 22 homers, had 55 RBIs, scored 63 runs and drew 107 walks.
The 600-homer mark may take Mantle a while. (And if it marks his retirement, the fans are in no hurry.) But this season Mickey should pass Ted Williams (521) and Jimmie Foxx (534) to make third on the all-time homer list behind Babe Ruth (714) and Willie Mays (564).
Mickey's batting feats are legendary; probably his greatest is hitting 18 home runs in World Series play.(Babe Ruth had 15.) He is one of 10 players to hit a World Series grand-slam, and one of four to twice hit two home runs in one Series game.
Mickey has homered twice in one game 44 times, and on May 13, 1955, he hit three - all into the Yankee Stadium center field bleachers. He twice came close to being the first to hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium. Both times the ball hit the overhanging facade of the upper deck in right field - a point about 107 feet above the ground. His longest measured homer at Yankee Stadium - 502 feet over the 22-foot screen into the center field bleachers - was hit off Chicago's Ray Herbert on August 12, 1964.
Three times the American League's Most Valuable Player, winner of the Triple Crown in 1956 for leading the league in hitting with .353, 52 homers and 130 RBIs - this is the Mighty Mantle of records and awards. But the Magnificent Mickey the fans and players admire is the wonderful, modest guy who has achieved greatness despite an incredible Series of injuries.
'It might sound wild to be talking about two or three more years, but that's the way I feel. You have no idea how much moving to first base has helped me. If I thought I couldn't do the job, I wouldn't hang around trying to play. When I say I'm figuring on two or three more years, you know that I figure I still can do the job. I'll know when it is time to quit.'
Cooperstown will have to wait. Mantle has homers to hit."
-The New York Yankees Official 1968 Yearbook
"With his switch to first base last year allowing him to play in 144 games, most on the club and the most for him since 1961, Mickey now reigns alone as the man with the most games played as a Yankee- 2,257 through 1967. He reached the 500 homer plateau last year, the sixth player in history to accomplish this feat. Mickey wound up with 518 at the end of the season, to place him in the fifth spot on the all-time home run list.
Mickey was MVP in the American League in 1956, 1957 and 1962. He won the Triple Crown in 1956 and was winner of the Hickok Belt as Top Professional Athlete- 1956.
He hit three home runs in one game on May 13, 1955 and has hit two homers in one game 44 times. He had four homers in four consecutive at-bats from July 4-6, 1962. He has hit home runs righty and lefty in the same game 10 times, a major league record.
Mickey has hit 18 World Series home runs, a record (Babe Ruth had 15). He is one of ten to hit a grand slam in the World Series, accomplishing this on October 4, 1953.
Although he dropped to .245 last year, the lowest average of his career, Mickey still has a lifetime mark of .302 and in 1967 led the Yankees in games, homers (22) and walks (107) and knocked in the most winning runs (15). He has been quoted as saying he would like to play a few more years and hit 600 homers.
Mickey has become one of the most popular players baseball has ever produced, receiving ovations both at Yankee Stadium and on the road."
-1968 New York Yankees Press-Radio-TV Guide
SIGNIFICANT GOALS WITHIN REACH
"Home Runs: Presently 5th on the All-Time home runs list with 518 ... he needs just three to tie and four to surpass Ted Williams (521) and gain the 4th spot. Needs 16 to tie and 17 to surpass Jimmie Foxx, who is in third place.
Years Played: 1968 will be Mantle's 18th year as a Yankee and ties him with Yogi Berra for most years as a Yankee player.
Games Played: Each game Mickey plays sets a new record for the most played as a Yankee - the old mark was 2,164, held by Lou Gehrig. Mickey goes into the season with 2,577.
At Bats: He needs 335 official times at bat to become the top Yankee in that department. Gehrig currently leads the list with 8,001 at-bats - Mantle starts the '68 season with 7,667.
Runs Batted In: Mantle has 1,455 RBIs, which is currently 4th highest in Yankee history. Gehrig had 1,991, Ruth 1,975 and DiMaggio 1,537. Mickey could pass DiMaggio and go into third place this year with a season total of 83 RBIs.
In the following categories, only the famous pair of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig exceed Mantle as the All-Time Yankee leader:
Runs Scored: Ruth (1,959), Gehrig (1,888) and Mantle (1,620).
Hits: Gehrig (2,721), Ruth (2,518) and Mantle (2,312).
Total Bases: Ruth (5,131), Gehrig (5,059) and Mantle (4,338).
Extra Base Hits: Gehrig (1,190), Ruth (1,189) and Mantle (919).
NOTE: All of Ruth's figures above are as a Yankee only.
Triples: Mickey ranks tenth in Yankee history with 71. One more triple will tie him with Bill Dickey for ninth place and two more will draw him even with Tommy Henrich.
Doubles: Mantle currently stands sixth in club history with 330, but nine more two-baggers will lift him past Bob Meusel for fifth place and 14 will gain him the fourth spot ahead of Bill Dickey's 343.
Slugging Percentage: Mickey has a lifetime .566 mark, behind only Babe Ruth's .771, Lou Gehrig's .632 and Joe DiMaggio's .579.
NOTE: All of the above figures are as of the start of the 1968 season."
-The 1968 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program
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