In 1956 Mantle won the Triple Crown, leading the league with a .353 batting average, 130 runs batted in (RBIs), and 52 home runs. Even more impressive was Mantle's slugging percentage (measuring the base-production of his hits) of .705 (anything over .500 is considered excellent). Mantle would smash doubles, but he would also use his blinding speed to turn singles into doubles. In 1957 Mantle spent part of September in the hospital for shinsplints, but for a season played hurt, his .365 batting average, 94 RBIs, and 34 home runs are quite extraordinary.

What a Decade.

Between 1955 and 1964 Mantle finished first or second in the race for Most Valuable Player six times. During his career the Yankees won more pennants and World Series than they did in the careers of any of the other great players —Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, or Babe Ruth. Mickey Mantle's most significant contribution to his team, however, was his...