Mickey Mantle's Poor 1959 Season Has Gotten Better

Slugging + on base average also has evolved into an important measurement. Mickey's was second only to Al Kaline's .940.

Mickey Topped the American League

American League hitters averaged .256, had a .326 on base average, a .391 slugging average, and a .717 on base +slugging average, numbers that Mantle easily exceeded.

When viewed in the context of Mickey Mantle's 1959 season compared to other American Leaguers, it doesn't seem so bad, but one must be careful before considering it a good season, because it was not.

References:

By JOHN DREBINGER. (1959, October 29). Mantle's Job Secure :Weiss of Yanks Says One Poor Season Doesn't Mean a Player Is Through. New York Times (1857-Current file),p. 41. Retrieved June 15, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2005) database. (Document ID: 82716152).

By JOHN DREBINGERSpecial to The New York Times.. (1960, March 7). FORD AND MANTLE WORRY MANAGER :Yanks, Preparing for First Exhibition Saturday, Also Troubled by Weather. New York Times (1857-Current file),p. 33. Retrieved June 15, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2005) database. (Document ID: 105183221).

Mickey Mantle at Baseball-Reference

1959 Situational Batting at Baseball-Reference

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