you know, when I first read the header on this out on the forum page I was thinking you wanted people to rate the top 8 Mantle's that they owned. Seeing as how you were the OP, I assumed that you actually had 8 Mantle cards to rate, and seeing as how I only have one I was ready to come kick ur @$$
After reading the thread though, I rather like the idea, so here's my list:
I guess we're kinda opposites here because I actually kinda like the big head shot ones...dunno why I just think they look really good on the cards...
1) 1953 Topps - I just think this is an awesome card. This is one that I'd want for my "single card collection" (assuming I don't end up doing the set at some point...which I may, lol). Something about the pose just says "yeah...I'm a badass"
2) 1951 Bowman - He looks like he's cocked and ready to smack a ball about 900 feet. He's just standing there with a look on his face like he's saying to the pitcher "I DARE you to throw me a fastball..."
3) 1954 Bowman - I like this one because I kind of have a vivid imagination and it makes me laugh. The look on his face is like someone just told him a really lame joke and he's kinda giving a courtesy laugh even though he didn't find it funny in the slightest...
4) 1956 Topps - I like the big grin...he just looks like someone who plays baseball for a living and loves every minute of it. And the action shot in the background is pretty cool too...somebody's gettin robbed by the Mick there...
5) 1952 Topps - I'm kinda neutral on this one...doesn't strike me as a really great picture, but no complaints either.
8) 1952 Bowman - Sorry, I don't mean to disagree with ya on this one, but to me he doesn't look like he's deep in thought he looks like he's bored out of his skull. Maybe the artist just didn't quite catch the look quite right...
8) 1953 Bowman - there's something about the way he's got his head cocked and the expression on his face that makes me think that he's kinda daydreaming about some pretty little brunette with a nice pink dress and pigtails...He just kinda has that "ahhhh" look on his face, lol.
8) 1955 Bowman - The pose and look on his face says to me "oh hell yeah, that's on the green!" I dunno, maybe its just me...but he looks like he's admiring his tee shot, haha.