Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Damn Yankees

Page 345

In the 1959 season, as the Yankees finished third in the AL rankings, Mantle's overall numbers declined from the previous season. He recorded only 75 RBIs and also racked up a league leading 126 strikeouts. Though he led the team in base stealing- 23, runs scored - 104, on base percentage - .390, and fielding percentage - .995, Mantle agreed to take a salary cut of $10,000 at the end of the season.

Mantle began the 1960 season slowly, with his batting average dropping as low as .228 in June. However, he regained his form and finished the season leading the AL in home runs and runs

scored, as the Yankees won the pennant. That year, Mantle started in both All-Star games, getting two walks in the first and a single in the second. Although his batting average was the lowest since his rookie year, a league leading 40 home runs and 94 RBIs saw him come a close second to teammate Roger Maris in

the MVP race. In the 1960 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mantle turned in his best performance in a single postseason. In seven games, he batted .400; 10 for 25, with 9 walks, hitting three home runs with 11 RBIs and recording an on base percentage of .545. However, the Yankees lost the World Series in Game 7 on Bill Mazeroski's walk off home run. Mantle was devastated by the loss, reportedly crying in the clubhouse