RBI, Runs, and the Mick

[DOUGHBOYS]

I'm a little peeved No, not constipated, peeved! Uh, that's better, I guess.
Last year, history was made and not many folks are talking about it. The statistics are right there in front of us and I haven't seen any 'baseball people' talking about it.
Here it is-
Last year, Curtis Granderson led the A.L. in rbi and runs.
Matt Kemp did the same in the N.L.
It was the first time since 1947 that one player from each league led in these categories the same year since 1947! That's 64 years.
Sure, individual players have accomplished it at different times, but never during the same year.
Johnny Mize and Ted Williams did the trick in '47.
Before that, it was done by Chuck Klein and Lou Gehrig in 1931.
Those are the only three times it has happened since the dead ball era ended.
I just thought that Granderson and Kemp should be recognized.



Looking at the All-Time Leagues and doing a little research makes one appreciate some of the numbers of yesterday.
One fella who is revered more from a baseball sense than a fantasy sense is Mickey Mantle.
First, the words 'Mickey Mantle'.
I know there are descriptive nicknames like 'Home Run' or 'Lefty' or 'Hammerin', but there isn't a better given name in baseball than Mickey Mantle.

I'm going a little out of the box here, but in 1956, Mantle had one of the best fantasy years ever.
Now, I'm not saying an All-Time fantasy year. I'm comparing Mantle only with the players he competed with in 1956.
Get this-
Mantle was first in runs. He had 132 runs. The closest player to him had 122. And only eight players besides Mantle scored 100 runs.

Mantle was first in rbi. He had 130 rbi. Only one other player had over 110 rbi. Only nine others had over 100 rbi.

Mantle was first in batting average. .353! Only two other players were within 20 points of him.

Mantle was first in home runs. He hit 52. Only one other player had over 40.

Mantle had 10 stolen bases. It doesn't sound like much, but it was the no-no era, not go-go.
Mantle's 10 stolen bases ranked him 15th. Willie Mays had 40 sb's, nobody else had more than 21 sb's.

Truly, an incredible season for Mickey Mantle.

[Winston's Empire]

I am a former player stat 'sinner' myself these days Dough! When looking at some of the numbers guys like Mantle, Mays, Teddy Ball Game, etc... put up back in the Golden Age of Baseball, I am always amazed. The competition from top to bottom was most likely weaker back then due to pay and conditioning, but the guys at the top I think would dominate in any era.
Today I focus on guys that are going to be on my Fantasy Baseball team and what round I would like to draft them! The fact that Granderson and Kemp both had the most RBI's and R's this year for the first time in so many years is amazing! This is the first I heard of it and its a shame considering how focused on "numbers" we all are!
Good right up Dan!