Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995), nicknamed The Commerce Comet and The Mick was an American professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career (1951-1968) with the New York Yankees. Mick played as a center fielder and first baseman. Mantle was one of the best players and sluggers ever in baseball. He is regarded by many as the greatest switch hitter in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. And was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.
Mantle was one of the greatest offensive threats of any center fielder in baseball history. He has the highest career OPS+ of any center fielder, and he had the highest stolen base percentage in history at the time of his retirement. In addition, compared to the other four center fielders on the All-Century team, he had the lowest career rate of grounding into double plays, and he had the highest World Series on-base percentage and World Series slugging percentage. He also had an excellent 0.984 fielding percentage when playing center field. Mantle was noted for his ability to hit for both average and power, especially tape measure home runs. He hit 536 MLB career home runs, batted .300 or more ten times. Mantle is the career leader (tied with Jim Thome) in walk-off home runs, with a combined thirteen—twelve in the regular season and one in the postseason.
Table of Contents
Mickey Mantle Honors and Achievements
Mantle won the Triple Crown in 1956, when he led the Major Leagues in batting average (.353), home runs (52), and runs batted in (RBI) (130). He later wrote a book (My Favorite Summer 1956) about his best year in baseball.[6] He was an All-Star for 16 seasons, playing in 16 of the 20 All-Star Games that were played. He was an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times and a Gold Glove winner once. Mantle appeared in 12 World Series including seven championships, and he holds World Series records for the most home runs (18), RBIs (40), extra-base hits (26), runs (42), walks (43), and total bases (123).
Top Mickey Mantle Cards to Collect: A Comprehensive Review
Mickey Mantle(eBay) is one of the most iconic figures in baseball history, and his cards are among the most sought-after in the hobby. From his early years in the 1950s to his final Topps card in 1969, Mantle’s cards have captivated collectors for decades. Here’s a review of the top Mickey Mantle cards to collect, highlighting their significance, rarity, and value trends.
1. 1952 Topps #311 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: Widely considered the holy grail of post-war baseball cards, Mantle’s 1952 Topps card is the most famous and iconic card in the hobby. Despite not being his true rookie card (which was released in 1951 by Bowman(eBay)), the 1952 Topps Mantle is in high demand due to its historical significance and scarcity.
- Rarity and Value: High-grade examples of this card command astronomical prices. In recent years, PSA 9s have sold for millions of dollars, while even lower-grade versions can fetch six figures.
- Condition Challenges: Centering, print defects, and the delicate nature of the card’s borders make high-grade versions exceedingly rare.
2. 1951 Bowman #253 – Mickey Mantle Rookie Card
- Significance: This is Mantle’s true rookie card, featuring him as a young prospect with the New York Yankees. The card is a key piece for any Mantle or vintage card collector.
- Rarity and Value: While not as famous as the 1952 Topps, the 1951 Bowman Mantle is highly sought after. With high-grade examples (PSA 8 and above) selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print quality are common issues, and high-grade examples are scarce and valuable.
3. 1953 Topps #82 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: This card is part of the beautifully designed 1953 Topps set, known for its colorful artwork. The Mantle card is a standout and a favorite among collectors.
- Rarity and Value: High-grade examples are valuable, though typically more accessible than the 1952 Topps card. Prices can range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars depending on condition.
- Condition Challenges: The card’s large white borders are prone to showing wear, making pristine examples rare.
4. 1956 Topps #135 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: The 1956 Topps set is celebrated for its design. The set features both an action shot and a portrait of the player. Mantle’s card from this set is particularly famous because it coincides with his Triple Crown-winning season.
- Rarity and Value: While more common than his earlier cards, high-grade examples of the 1956 Mantle are still highly prized and can fetch significant sums.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and surface wear are the main concerns, though overall, the card tends to be found in better condition than some of his earlier cards.
5. 1957 Topps #95 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: The 1957 Topps Mantle is notable for its classic, no-frills design and clear photo, making it a favorite among purist collectors.
- Rarity and Value: High-grade examples of this card are valuable, often selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print quality are common issues, with many cards suffering from the “tilt” problem where the image is slightly askew.
6. 1958 Topps #150 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: The 1958 Topps(eBay) Mantle is a colorful card that stands out with its bright yellow background. It’s a key card in a popular set, featuring Mantle during his prime.
- Rarity and Value: This card is more affordable than some of the earlier Mantle cards, but high-grade examples still command premium prices.
- Condition Challenges: The solid color background can easily show print defects and wear, making high-grade versions desirable.
7. 1961 Topps #300 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: The 1961 Topps Mantle is significant as it was issued during the year Mantle and Roger Maris were chasing Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record.
- Rarity and Value: High-grade examples of this card are valued by collectors, particularly given its historical context. Prices can vary but typically range in the thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and surface wear are common issues, but the card is generally easier to find in good condition compared to his earlier cards.
8. 1963 Topps #200 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: The 1963 Topps set is known for its distinctive design featuring player portraits and team logos. Mantle’s card from this set is a classic, capturing him in his prime.
- Rarity and Value: High-grade examples are desirable and can fetch high prices, though the card is generally more affordable than his earlier Topps cards.
- Condition Challenges: The colored borders of the 1963 Topps cards are prone to chipping, making high-grade examples particularly valuable.
9. 1967 Topps #150 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: The 1967 Topps Mantle is a popular card from a beloved set. The design is clean and shttps://ripped.topps.com/imple, showcasing Mantle as a veteran star.
- Rarity and Value: While not as expensive as his earlier cards, high-grade examples are still sought after and can be quite valuable.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print defects are common issues with this card, though overall, it tends to be found in relatively good condition.
10. 1969 Topps #500 – Mickey Mantle
- Significance: This is Mantle’s final regular-issue Topps card, making it historically significant as it marks the end of an era. The card features a classic portrait of Mantle, with a facsimile autograph.
- Rarity and Value: While more affordable than his earlier cards, the 1969 Mantle is still highly collectible, with high-grade examples commanding solid prices.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print quality can vary, but the card is generally easier to find in good condition.
Conclusion
Mickey Mantle’s baseball cards are among the most treasured and iconic in the hobby. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, Mantle’s cards offer a blend of historical significance, investment potential, and pure enjoyment. High-grade examples of these cards, especially from the 1950s and early 1960s, are particularly valuable and continue to appreciate in value. Collecting Mantle cards is not just about owning a piece of cardboard, but about holding a piece of baseball history.
Happy Collecting!
