Duke Snider took over the Centerfield position from Pete Reiser (or Carl Furillo) in 1948.
Willie Mays replaced Whitey Lockman (or Bobby Thomson) in Centerfield in 1951.
Mickey Mantle....
"stepped into the footprints of a legend"....Joe DiMaggio.
Mickey was only a 19-year old kid in 1951....a coal-miner's son from Oklahoma. It wasn't easy in the "big city".
I recall him being booed often that year, especially when he struck-out. He almost quit baseball that year. But,
thanks to a stern lecture from his Dad, Mickey found the courage to continue.
In 1952, he had 171 Hits, 23 HR's, 94 Runs, 87 RBI's, BA = .311 (his 1952 Topps card #, quite a coincidence).
That was certainly a good start. And, as they say...."the rest is history".
OK, some of you may not think this is a big deal. However, I ask you to tell us how many ballplayers have suc-
ceeded when they have replaced legendary ballplayers such as a Joe DiMaggio ?
I can only think of one other guy who has accomplished this (in the post WWII era).
Can you name him ? ?
TED Z
T206 Reference
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