It was 51 years ago today that Mickey Mantle became the most prolific home run hitter in World Series history.
Mantle connected for his record-breaking 16th Series homer in Game 3 of the 1964 Series, breaking the mark established by Babe Ruth in 1932.
The Mick led off the bottom of the ninth inning for the New York Yankees with the score tied 1-1 and hit the first pitch he saw off St. Louis Cardinals reliever Barney Schultz to end the game. Schultz had been brought in by Cardinals manager Johnny Keane in relief of starter Curt Simmons, who had allowed one run and four hits.
Mantle's homer gave the victory to a young right-hander and future best-selling author, Jim Bouton. Bouton would win two games in the 1964 Series, beating Simmons in Game 6, 8-3.
Mantle added another homer in Game 6 and hit his 18th and final World Series homer off fellow Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in Game 7.
The postseason has changed since 1964, with several rounds of the playoffs giving hitters more chances for home runs. Manny Ramirez owns the postseason mark with 29 homers, achieving it during 23 series in 11 postseasons.
Mantle is tied for fifth-place overall in the postseason with Reggie Jackson.
I can just imagine how many homers Mantle might have hit had there been at least one more round of the playoffs during his prime.
Mantle connected for his record-breaking 16th Series homer in Game 3 of the 1964 Series, breaking the mark established by Babe Ruth in 1932.
The Mick led off the bottom of the ninth inning for the New York Yankees with the score tied 1-1 and hit the first pitch he saw off St. Louis Cardinals reliever Barney Schultz to end the game. Schultz had been brought in by Cardinals manager Johnny Keane in relief of starter Curt Simmons, who had allowed one run and four hits.
Mantle's homer gave the victory to a young right-hander and future best-selling author, Jim Bouton. Bouton would win two games in the 1964 Series, beating Simmons in Game 6, 8-3.
Mantle added another homer in Game 6 and hit his 18th and final World Series homer off fellow Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in Game 7.
The postseason has changed since 1964, with several rounds of the playoffs giving hitters more chances for home runs. Manny Ramirez owns the postseason mark with 29 homers, achieving it during 23 series in 11 postseasons.
Mantle is tied for fifth-place overall in the postseason with Reggie Jackson.
I can just imagine how many homers Mantle might have hit had there been at least one more round of the playoffs during his prime.
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