.119 in 42 at-bats
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MANTLE?
While Kubek sizzles, Mantle's season-opening slump has historic overtones
Baseball in 1961 Staff
DETROIT-The Mick has little stick.
After being swept in 4 at Baltimore, the Yankees begin a crucial series with one huge question looming over the Bombers' broad shoulders:
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MANTLE?
"If I knew, I would tell you," replied manager Ralph Houk. "What it is I think, is all those ball 4's Mick's been taking(14 walks). But you tell me, what slugger hasn't started his season so badly to the point where he asks himself, am I still the best hitter I can be? Mickey is that hitter, even though the numbers say otherwise."
And they speak volumes:
5 hits, 42 at-bats, .119 average, 1 home run, 5 runs batted in.
And one more stat:
Hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
Mantle isn't speaking, but at BP prior to the series opener at Tiger Stadium, he is at least lofting moon shots into right field, proof positive that the pop is still there, it just needs to make more appearances now at this point in his career.
"He is a bona fide Hall-of-Famer," says Houk, "But how many of those Famers have had season-opening slumps? A handful. To maintain his position, he has to start being the Mantle of old, making the proper adjustments to make sure that he still is the Mantle that he is capable of being. Even if it takes time, he will bounce back from this. You have my word on that."
While the Mick is searching for his stick, the Yanks' star shortstop seems to have found his.
"Tony Kubek may be the most underrated shortstop in baseball," says Houk. "He fields the ball well, but seriously, the kid can hit. Tremendously, without a doubt."
Kubek's numbers are the classic direct contrast to the slumping Mantle, 19 hits in 46 trips for a .413 average, the same RBI as Mantle, but with one difference:
"He's the best hitter we have right now," says Houk. "We would be in a helluva lot of trouble if we lost Tony to injury for any extended period of time."
Considering since the Yankees are still looking for the one who has been their best for many years.
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MANTLE?
While Kubek sizzles, Mantle's season-opening slump has historic overtones
Baseball in 1961 Staff
DETROIT-The Mick has little stick.
After being swept in 4 at Baltimore, the Yankees begin a crucial series with one huge question looming over the Bombers' broad shoulders:
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MANTLE?
"If I knew, I would tell you," replied manager Ralph Houk. "What it is I think, is all those ball 4's Mick's been taking(14 walks). But you tell me, what slugger hasn't started his season so badly to the point where he asks himself, am I still the best hitter I can be? Mickey is that hitter, even though the numbers say otherwise."
And they speak volumes:
5 hits, 42 at-bats, .119 average, 1 home run, 5 runs batted in.
And one more stat:
Hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
Mantle isn't speaking, but at BP prior to the series opener at Tiger Stadium, he is at least lofting moon shots into right field, proof positive that the pop is still there, it just needs to make more appearances now at this point in his career.
"He is a bona fide Hall-of-Famer," says Houk, "But how many of those Famers have had season-opening slumps? A handful. To maintain his position, he has to start being the Mantle of old, making the proper adjustments to make sure that he still is the Mantle that he is capable of being. Even if it takes time, he will bounce back from this. You have my word on that."
While the Mick is searching for his stick, the Yanks' star shortstop seems to have found his.
"Tony Kubek may be the most underrated shortstop in baseball," says Houk. "He fields the ball well, but seriously, the kid can hit. Tremendously, without a doubt."
Kubek's numbers are the classic direct contrast to the slumping Mantle, 19 hits in 46 trips for a .413 average, the same RBI as Mantle, but with one difference:
"He's the best hitter we have right now," says Houk. "We would be in a helluva lot of trouble if we lost Tony to injury for any extended period of time."
Considering since the Yankees are still looking for the one who has been their best for many years.
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