The Great NY Debate - 1953

 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 made his first all star team. He'd get MVP consideration for the only time this season. His Cincinnati Reds were mostly lackluster outside of him, Kluszewski and rookie Greengrass, finishing in the 2nd division.