2006-08-19 13:24:21 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
Historians will tell you that Mickey Mantle was the single greatest talent the game has ever known. His speed was unmatched. From home to first on a drag bunt left handed, 2.9 seconds, 3.1 from the right side. No one came close to hitting tape measure home runs like Mantle. He did more on two badly injured legs that 99% of the league could do on two healthy legs.
Mantle played on 12 American League Championship teams and 7 World Championship Teams. Mays, and Aaron combined for two world series wins throughout their careers. Both Mays and Aaron were fortunate to play injury free careers. Hence their numbers were larger but both have said in many interviews that Mickey Mantle was the greatest they had ever seen.
2006-08-19 15:03:14 · answer #1 · answered by The Mick "7" 7 · 19⤊ 0⤋
If you're talking about, which of the three was the best "at their best" then that would be Mickey Mantle...If on the other hand you mean over the span of their career..It would be close between Aaron and Mays..Mantle's career was hampered by injury and he only had 8K at bats, Mays over 10K and Aaron over 12K
Mickey Mantle - 1956 - Triple Crown season
BA-353 OB%-464 SLG-705 HR-52 R-132 RBI-130
I'm going to include the two best players I ever watched just to compare...Ted Williams and Stan Musial...You have to remember, Ted Williams lost 5 seasons out of the heart of his career, when he served as a combat pilot in WWII and Korea...
Ted Williams - 1939 -1960
BA-344 OB%-482 SLG-634 HR-521 OPS-1116
Stan Musial - 1941 - 1963
BA-331 OB%-417 SLG-559 HR-475 OPS-976
Hank Aaron - 1954 - 1976
BA-305 OB%-374 SLG-555 HR-755 OPS-929
Willie Mays - 1951 - 1972
BA-302 OB%-386 SLG-557 HR-660 OPS-943
Mickey Mantle - 1951 - 1968
BA-298 OB%-422 SLG-557 HR-536 OPS-979
2006-08-19 15:32:41 · answer #2 · answered by jack 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Home Run King Henry Aaron
2006-08-19 13:40:03 · answer #3 · answered by Tony 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hank Aaron
2006-08-19 13:32:38 · answer #4 · answered by EJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mantle was clearly superior. He lost much time to injury, but when he was on the field, he was better.
Mantle's OPS+ for his career is 172. May and Aaron are both at 155. Very good, but not as good as Mantle. Also, in their primes, all were great defensive players, although Mays holds the edge there.
2006-08-20 08:40:20 · answer #5 · answered by desotobrave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to go with all time home run king Hank Aaron
2006-08-23 07:21:09 · answer #6 · answered by bravesfan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To startingover, you need to stop sending out mis-information. Wilie Mays has never said that anyone was a better player than him and also includes Bonds.
2006-08-21 16:33:24 · answer #7 · answered by smitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mays without a doubt
2006-08-19 14:03:46 · answer #8 · answered by The 8 Bicycle and Jim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All three were baseball legends but if I were an owner Mantle was the one that put butts in the bleachers.
2006-08-19 17:01:06 · answer #9 · answered by Dean B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mays hands down.
mays played 5 years in san fran i believe with an huge opening in the center field-and the direct wind blow straight in from center. THAT JUST WASN'T FAIR
his numbers would have been a lot bigger had he not had that.
2006-08-19 15:12:10 · answer #10 · answered by NONAME 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋