Let's Rewind To 1950.

#2
#2
Willie. Defense my man, defense. And that's not saying Duke and the Mick didn't play defense.
 
#3
#3
The "Mick". All around winner. Series Champ in '51, '52, '53, '56, and '58. Two more in sixties. Triple Crown Winner.
 

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#4
#4
Mickey talked badly about his defensive ability. He wasn't great, yet wasn't bad.

Bob Feller claimed that Mickey was the greatest ballplayer, and Willie was the better actor.

There are so many what ifs in this argument.
What if Mantle doesn't step in the drain in right field? Or what if his late night escapades could have been reigned?

What if Mays doesn't play in Candlestick? Or lose two years serving the Country?

Both hung around too long. The long term numbers is what people compare. But both in their primes, I'm not sure a greater player has ever played than Mantle.
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#9
#9
Willie. Fewer physical issues, little better wheels and better D. Mickey's pop for both sides is a nice mid lineup advantage. And finally, Mickey was a motherfreakin Yankee.
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#10
#10
BigPapaVol said:
Willie. Fewer physical issues, little better wheels and better D. Mickey's pop for both sides is a nice mid lineup advantage. And finally, Mickey was a motherfreakin Yankee.
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So in there respective prime, you say Willie?

Go Navy! (not really. Just ticked about the motherfreakin Yankee barb)
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#11
#11
NYYVol said:
So in there respective prime, you say Willie?

Go Navy! (not really. Just ticked about the motherfreakin Yankee barb)
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Dad was a Dodger from his days in LA and hooked me up with a pretty long meeting with Sandy Koufax, so I hate the Yanks.

Both at their peaks, I take Mays, though it's one of the hardest calls in ball. Mantle's off field shiz makes me say Willie.
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#12
#12
BigPapaVol said:
Dad was a Dodger from his days in LA and hooked me up with a pretty long meeting with Sandy Koufax, so I hate the Yanks.

Both at their peaks, I take Mays, though it's one of the hardest calls in ball. Mantle's off field shiz makes me say Willie.
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I grew up with a military grandfather who bled all things Yankees. So I understand.

I think history backs up the fact that Mickey possibly urinated away the possibility of being in a class to himself.

Currently reading "The Last Boy." I've long been a Mantle nerd and dude had some serious deep rooted issues. Quite sad.
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#13
#13
NYYVol said:
I grew up with a military grandfather who bled all things Yankees. So I understand.

I think history backs up the fact that Mickey possibly urinated away the possibility of being in a class to himself.

Currently reading "The Last Boy." I've long been a Mantle nerd and dude had some serious deep rooted issues. Quite sad.
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As talented as any player ever.
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#19
#19
This is the only non retard forum on the board, other than the pink hat sox thread, I like to keep it that way.
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#20
#20
Mantle at his prime was as great as anybody ever. It's a shame he was such a dumbass.

I'd still probably take him, except that he was a Yanqui. So fsck him. Give me Willie Mays in 1950 and wave a fond goodbye to Mantle as he circles the bowl.
 
#21
#21
I say The Mick just based on sheer athleticism, but everyone will probably think I'm just being a homer.
 
#22
#22
Did anyone happen to catch Willie on Studio 42 with Bob Costas?

Two hour long interview. Said, he thought the he was better than Mantle, but also thought Mickey was faster. I found that to be interesting.

Said the behind the back catch in the '54 World Series was not his best catch.

I always knew he had played sometime in Chattanooga for the Choo-Choo's but did not realize that was his first pro gig.

He was on to promote a new book. Was a fun interview.
 
#24
#24
Co. Aytch said:
Did anyone happen to catch Willie on Studio 42 with Bob Costas?

Two hour long interview. Said, he thought the he was better than Mantle, but also thought Mickey was faster. I found that to be interesting.

Said the behind the back catch in the '54 World Series was not his best catch.

I always knew he had played sometime in Chattanooga for the Choo-Choo's but did not realize that was his first pro gig.

He was on to promote a new book. Was a fun interview.
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Prior to the injury I think Mantle was faster from all accounts.
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#25
#25
Co. Aytch said:
Two hour long interview. Said, he thought the he was better than Mantle, but also thought Mickey was faster. I found that to be interesting.
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The consensus of contemporary accounts seems to be that, before all the injuries, Mantle was A) faster than Mays and B) close to if not just as good a CF. The triple complication of Yankee media bias, the Polo Grounds, and the LCF gap in Old Old Yankee Stadium make it impossible to evaluate that second claim, I'd say, but that's what they wrote at the time.

If the question is who was the greater player in each of their primes, then the answer is Mantle and it's not close. If the question is who was more valuable over course of their careers, then it's Mays and again it's not close.

Mantle is arguably the biggest what-if in the history of the sport. If his career hadn't been destroyed by injury and stupidity, he would probably have been at least the second-greatest player in history. And since the injury and the stupidity are so wound up together, it's hard for even someone who grew up idolizing him like my dad to know how to apportion out the proper ratio of pity and contempt to feel for him.
 
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