MLB Showdown Obsession

 New York stayed in the spotlight in 1955, with the return of the Yankees to the World Series after an unbearable ONE year hiatus and the return of their usual fall classic rivals, the Dodgers. Mickey Mantle, who was already elite, was now truly the power hitter history remembers him as while Mays brought a powerful follow-up to his MVP season and Snider continued being an elite leader in Brooklyn. All three would make for the perfect foundation to an elite team, finishing in the top 5 in each of their MVP voting. Mantle and Snider bring the top tier on-base, Mays has the above average speed and dangerous power chart despite the "lower" on-base, all three are competent defenders. Mantle has the best on-base, Mays the best homer potential, Snider the happy compromise between the two others, you can't lose with these options. No matter who you pick, no one will second guess the selection. It takes more than just an elite Centerfielder, however, to win a pennant. And it'...

 By the 1938 vote, the glut of easy entries was passing and the hall was heading into a time where the non-Ruth types were getting love. Several players received within 10% of the 75% requirement, but only one man, Grover Cleveland Alexander, made it to the finish line. The Centennial Committee would swell the year up to three entries. Also inducted: -Alexander Cartwright (Pioneer / Executive) Purported to have created the first set of rules for baseball. Founded earliest organized baseball team (New York Knickerbockers). -Henry Chadwick (Pioneer / Executive) Sportswriter whose coverage of the game helped spread it's popularity. Credited creator of the box score.

 The difference between 1953 and 1954 in New York was like night and day. Willie Mays was back, and made up for lost time, Mantle stayed healthy for the most part, but October would not be featuring the familiar Yankees v Dodgers matchup. All three would make valuable additions to your lineup, but it's hard to argue against the MVP Willie Mays taking the cake for '54. Not only that, but he finally got to stand atop the baseball mountain. For the first time in what seemed like forever, the Yankees played the role of bridesmaid at the end of the regular season, being topped by the Indians and their 111 win season. But as record setting as the Indians were in 1954, they still had to figure a way around Mays and the NL champion Giants. Perhaps they felt this was their only opportunity, but the Giants didn't miss their chance. Someone not named the Yankees were in the World Series, and the Giants gave them a rude introduction to the NL side of NY baseball. Willie Mays set the to...

 Things were just getting good in New York, then military service had to ruin the fun. In 1953, Willie Mays was still missing, so the usual battle of NY was just between Mantle and Snider, while Bobby Thomson was filling in for Mays at the Polo Grounds. Thomson filled in admirably in Center for the Giants (he played 3rd Base the previous year) but without Mays, the Giants weren't much of a threat in '53, allowing the Dodgers to reign supreme in the NL. Once again, however, the Yankees were waiting from the AL side. Snider brough the better chart card over Mantle who was dealing with knee troubles, but the World Series is where Mickey busted out and helped the Yankees to their record 5th straight title. Next season, Mays would return from the military, Thomson would be gone and the usual NY trio would be back at it. Elsewhere in baseball, we had Gus Bell. 1953 was a career year for Bell, as he launched 30 homers for the only time in his career, hit .300, drove in over 100 and ma...

 Adding to my belief that either Mr Gula or someone influential for the Bot is watching this blog, back last year when I did a Mr May post , I opined on what it would look like if the Bot could isolate certain time frames for a season to make a card with....and such a feature was delivered. So why not celebrate by making an update to Dave Winfield's Mr May status with some May only and postseason only cards to show the duality of his Yankees career more fully. Dave Winfield in May of 1982 was a beast... 1982 in it's entirely left a bit to be desired by Winfield, so you can imagine Steinbrenner's frustrations... The Yankees in 1981 made the World Series but Winfield was a black hole in the lineup as the they failed to overcome LA.