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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Hold on. Mantle never was in Kofax's league performancewise. There are no similarities between these players that occur to me. I saw them both play. Mantle was the continuance of the Yankee superstar downgrade from Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, then a host of wannabees. Mantle routinely hit HRs when it didn't matter, then struck out in the clutch. I never saw a player so heavily booed by the fans as this sub .300 hitter.

Kofax on the other hand required a lot of coaching when he came up, and apparently the decision was made that the best coaching was available on the parent team, rather than in the minors. He was very wild in the beginning, and it took him a while to gain control. But when he got it, it was like a symphony. Effortless crackling curveball, blazing smoke, and a host of surprises. He made all the money he needed and then bailed. Some hero.

Give me the old players before the influence of tv and other advertising money. Players with heart and players with soul. Williams was like Kofax (when Kofax was good). Not Mantle.


Berra was the man Yankee fans wanted up there when it was ballgame time.


Gil