Mickey Mantle Triple Crown

Lore & Background

Mantle won the Triple Crown in 1956, when he led the major leagues in batting average (.353), home runs (52), and runs batted in (RBI) (130). He was an All-Star for 16 seasons, playing in 16 of the 20 All-Star Games that he was selected for. He also had a solid .984 fielding percentage when playing center field, winning a Gold Glove in that position. He appeared in 12 World Series, winning seven championships, and holds World Series records for the most home runs (18), RBIs (40), extra-base hits (26), runs (42), walks (43), and total bases (123), and he has the highest World Series on-base and slugging percentages.

In Their Own Story

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the diamond at Yankee Stadium, illuminating the dirt where Mickey Mantle stood at the plate. The crowd was a sea of pinstripes and anticipation, holding its breath as the pitcher wound up. It wasn't just another game; it was the culmination of a season that would rewrite the record books. As the ball left the bat, soaring high over the right-field fence, Mantle didn't need to look back to know he had done something special. He had just secured his place in history.

Reader's Guide

Mantle is the only player to hit 150 home runs from each side of the plate. He hit 536 career home runs while batting .300 or more ten times; he is 16th all-time in home runs per at-bat and 17th in on-base percentage.

Did You Know?

• Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, and moved to Commerce, Oklahoma, at age four.
• He was named after Hall of Fame catcher Mickey Cochrane.
• Mantle's father trained him to be a switch hitter from a very early age.
• He was drafted for military service but rejected due to osteomyelitis in his left leg.
• Mantle died in Dallas, Texas, aged 63, from liver cancer brought on by years of alcohol abuse.