Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-10
WIN, LOSE OR
ONAV BY FRANCIS STANN
And Now It's Official

AT THE END OF The SEASON the unOHlclal HgureS
suggested that Mickey Mantle of the Yankees was quite
boy Now just-reeased official averages vertical
ton What is more the 25yearold from Spavnaw Okla,
may not yet have hit his peak.
Mantle is even richer in physical Skills than Floyd
Patterson which is saying good deal If he isn't the
fastest ball player in the world he close enough
to being it. He field and throw and his batting achieve
mentS are on record now.
With his 1853 average he outht Ted williams by eight
points during which Theodore actually batted
400 official times Nantes 100 bated in tops in
the American League and were those So home runs.
These feats compromise the socaed triple of base
ball but in another column is figure the Yankees kind
of like. He scored 1872 times.
Up to this year Mantle had been edgy young man,
insecure, less wondering what it all about
Which only natural. He'd played only part of
for independence, for Joplin and before
he knew, he committing between the Yankees and
their onetme Kansas City in 1851 Mantle not
yet 20 at that time
HE STOOD IN PROPER AWE of Joe DNIaggio who
the Yankees centerfeder. Mantle played right field
until DMag retired When he read New York newspaper
he learned that he expected be Daggos
But while he did well for kid he didn't catch fire until
the past and perhaps the long absence of
DiAlag that played a part
Mantle Is not DiMaggio 1t works the other way too
DAaggio Mantle Personality perhaps there
similarity The young glib Mantle isn't
now But on the diamond Daggio superb and
full outelder who made hard catches look easy In his
younger days his throwing perhaps more highly
respected than Nantes is now.
DN1ag according to Bucky Harris, standout base
He's not fast Bucky conceded but
slider I've Seen-and go back to Ty Cobb-and I've
Joe thrown out when he decided to take extra
Mantle is different from DiMag for several He
like striped ape. When he puts much effort
he breaks down for PERIOD like Swaps He lacks Di
Maggos grace in the hed and the plate On the other
hand Mickey physically endowed that lack of
no great handicap.
WAS IT FORGOTTEN to mention that Mantle the first
legitimate switch hitter to win big league batting cham
pionShip There is item to consider Batting efthanded
which the only he swshes his wand Williams may be
better than Mantle Batting rghthanded DNlaggio
some of the present-day guys may be better.
Thanks to his foresighted daddy who insisted his
offspring bat both ways Mantle has lesser problem When
he faces highlander naturally he bats lefthanded
vice versa when a southpaw is introduced
II gives Mantle advantage of course, because the
bruShoh pitch is great problem But the big thing with
Mickey is that he's growing up Whereas formerly only
read that he potential great. he that
greatest is his for the trying.
FROM OPENING DAY, when he slammed two Hercuean
home Griffith Stadium Mantle was reminded in the
public prints that ne alone breaking Babe
Ruhs record go for At his age didn't well
He began to oyersWing and it wonder finished
with his 1858 average Next year, older man, he may
bat in relaxed fashion and by goy he might just
the to break Ruths mark
Only occasion does Mickey think much OF himself as
athlete Playing in Herb Scores golf tournament
Worth George Jacobus affair Miami Early Wynns shndg
IN Venice George place in Tampa the young
man has hit astonishing shots especially from the
i've George Bayer belt golf ball" says Joe Collins
OF the Yankees pretty fair strong himself
as long George Is of the tee he match Mantle
And Mickey doesn't known how 10 play golf"