The Great NY Debate - 1955

 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's with those extra weapons in the lineup that led both Mantle and Snider to meet in the World Series. It was each of their teammates, Catchers Berra and Campanella, who won the MVPs after all. In the end, after 7 hard fought games, and with the help of clutch pitching, Snider could at last stand above his peers where it really counts as the Dodgers finally overcame the Yankees.

Elsewhere in baseball was the rookie Bill Virdon. Better known for his time holding down Center for the Pirates, the year before saw Bill as one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise woeful season in St. Louis that saw the team change managers and finish in 7th place. He was originally signed by the Yankees, but after Mantle's arrival his services were obviously never going to be needed and he was sent to the Cards in the deal that brought Enos Slaughter to the Bronx. The very next year after his RoY season he was shipped to Pittsburgh where he'd put together his best season, then later taper off for the rest of his career, gaining a ring in 1960 and a Gold Glove in 1962.