The "Mick"...Powerhouse Hitter

[portobob]

I saw Mantle hit some massive home runs in games over the years but the most impressive thing I saw him do was at RFK Stadium in DC shortly before his retirement. Hitting batting practice, he hit 5 consecutive, towering shots left handed. Each one went at least 450 ft. He then turned around hitting right handed and hit 5 consecutive monster shots into the stands in left field. The baseballs were mush compared to todays version. With the tightly wound missiles they use today, Mantle could put the ball into orbit.

[LouGehrig]

You make an excellent point with respect to the tightly wound baseball.

[gusified]

I saw Mantle hit some massive home runs in games over the years but the most impressive thing I saw him do was at RFK Stadium in DC shortly before his retirement. Hitting batting practice, he hit 5 consecutive, towering shots left handed. Each one went at least 450 ft. He then turned around hitting right handed and hit 5 consecutive monster shots into the stands in left field. The baseballs were mush compared to todays version. With the tightly wound missiles they use today, Mantle could put the ball into orbit.


yeah mantle was one of the greatest...far better than mays.....
yet most people believe the opposite

per 600 ab mantle averaged .298 41 117
to mays' .302 32 103

not to mention that the mick was faster and a better fielder
its just that mays would always get a bad jump on the ball and have to make a phenominal catch..and thus looked better

what about arron .305 36 107 per 600 ab's
of course he wasnt as complete a ball player as mays and mantle

and dimaggio...was probably the best all around player of them all.....
.325 30+ 125 per 600 ab's
and he had the best instincts of them all


shame really that the only one i got to see play was willie in his last years with the mets...(just not the same)

[mikesty]

I don't get it. How can someone be that powerful?

[gusified]

I don't get it. How can someone be that powerful?



yeah i know...

and apparently he never lifted weights.......
he musta


he hit 565 ft shots...a couple that went over that and were never measured....

how about
the homeruns he hit over the 468 ft wall drunk or extremly hung over....
he was just something else...

[mikesty]

Yeah, I don't really idolize or sympathize with any of that drinking crap, I just want to know how he could jack them that far with such regularity. I know strong guys who can't hit a golf ball with an aluminum bat that far.