Posted By:
John Kal I saw a good deal of Mantle live or on TV. Howard, there was a good deal of talk that Mantle was such a good right handed hitter that he might stop batting left handed. I don't know what the stats are but I remember he had greater power from the right side. When he came up, he was considered maybe the greatest prospect of all time; then he tripped over the sprinkler and tore up his knee which cost him some of his speed (in 1951?). Jason, his placement in the all-time list would be around #5. My top 10 list of non-pitchers: Ruth, Cobb, Wagner, Williams, Mantle, Mays, Joe D, Josh Gibson, Musial, Gehrig. I have a video of the '52 World Series and Mantle was very clutch: also, even his practice swings from the right side were one-of-a-kind powerful. No substances, just talent.