How did the Yankees get Mickey Mantle?

The New York Yankees of Major League Baseball are one of the most successful franchises in sports history. Throughout the years, they have had many of the greatest players to ever play baseball, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio. One of the most iconic players in Yankees history is Mickey Mantle, who was a part of the team from 1951 to 1968. But how did the Yankees get Mickey Mantle? This article will explore the story of how the New York Yankees acquired Mickey Mantle and the impact he had on the team.

Table of Contents hide

1. The Beginning

2. The Minor Leagues

3. The Call Up to the Majors

4. The Successful Years

5. Mantle’s Final Years

The Beginning

Mickey Charles Mantle was born on October 20, 1931 in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. Mantle was a three-sport star in high school and had a passion for baseball. After being scouted by the Yankees, Mantle signed with the team in 1949 for a $1,100 bonus and a $140 a month salary. He was assigned to the Yankees’ minor league team, the Joplin Miners, in the Western Association.

The Minor Leagues

Mantle quickly made a name for himself in the minor leagues. He was a standout player, hitting .383 with 23 home runs and a .611 slugging percentage in his first season with the Miners. In 1950, Mantle was promoted to the Yankees’ Double-A team, the Kansas City Blues. He continued to excel in the minors, hitting .361 with 18 home runs and a .636 slugging percentage.

The Call Up to the Majors

The Yankees were impressed with Mantle’s performance in the minors and decided to call him up to the majors in 1951. Mantle was just 19 years old when he made his debut with the Yankees on April 17, 1951. He quickly established himself as a star, hitting .267 with 13 home runs and a .457 slugging percentage in his rookie season.

The Successful Years

Mantle was a star for the Yankees throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He was a perennial All-Star, winning three MVP awards and leading the Yankees to seven World Series championships. He also set numerous records, including becoming the only player in MLB history to hit a home run completely out of Yankee Stadium.

Mantle’s Final Years

In 1965, Mantle began to feel the effects of age and injuries. He hit just .255 with 19 home runs and a .421 slugging percentage. The following year, he hit .255 with 18 home runs and a .426 slugging percentage. He retired after the 1968 season.

Legacy

Mickey Mantle is considered one of the greatest players in baseball history. He was a two-time MVP, a three-time World Series champion, and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He also had a profound impact on the Yankees, helping them to seven World Series championships.

Conclusion

The New York Yankees acquired Mickey Mantle in 1949 and he quickly established himself as one of the greatest players in baseball history. He was a star for the Yankees throughout the 1950s and 1960s, leading the team to seven World Series championships. Mantle’s legacy lives on in Yankees lore and he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest Yankees of all time.

FAQs

When did the New York Yankees acquire Mickey Mantle? The Yankees acquired Mickey Mantle in 1949.
When did Mickey Mantle make his major league debut? Mickey Mantle made his major league debut with the Yankees on April 17, 1951.
How many MVP awards did Mickey Mantle win? Mickey Mantle won three MVP awards.
How many World Series championships did Mickey Mantle help the Yankees win? Mickey Mantle helped the Yankees win seven World Series championships.

Key Takeaways

The New York Yankees acquired Mickey Mantle in 1949.
Mantle made his major league debut with the Yankees on April 17, 1951.
Mantle was a three-time MVP and a seven-time World Series champion with the Yankees.
Mantle’s legacy lives on in Yankees lore.