New York Yankees: Creating an all-time starting lineup
When it comes to all-time greats, there’s a conversation to be had between Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays as the best center fielder in the history of the game. Usually, the argument will end with Mays on top, but the fact that Mantle is in the argument means one thing; he can’t be left off this team.
He’s also the greatest switch hitter of all-time. If you want to argue that, just look at the numbers. He’s the only switch hitter to hit 500 home runs, he had a slash line of .298/.421/.577, and he played brilliantly in centerfield.
When it comes to awards, he won them all. Mantle was a three-time MVP — including back-to-back in 1956-57 — won a batting title, Gold Glove, and like Gehrig was an MLB Triple Crown winner in his first MVP season. He was also one of four players in MLB history to play in 20 or more All-Star Games.
Joe DiMaggio is also one of the greatest center fielders of all-time, but Mantle gets the edge here for being baseball’s greatest switch hitter. The fact that DiMaggio isn’t in this lineup just goes to show how much of storied history the New York Yankees have.