Continuing with the WasWatching.com Yankees “ten best seasons” (ever) series, today we look at center fielders. Here is what I believe are the top ten seasons for Yankees center fielders, with stats via the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia:
Click on the list below for a larger view ~
Note “The Mick” 1956-57 at the top of the chart. Mantle is not just sitting one-two here for the Yankees. If you look at all center fielders in the modern era, he’s one-two there, as well, all-time for best season ever.
Click on the list below for a larger view ~
Mickey Mantle was the A.L. MVP in 1956 and 1957. It’s a shame there was no such award higher than MVP – because Mantle deserved that one too.
Mantle and DiMaggio own the Yankees “ten best seasons” by a center fielder list. What’s interesting is that these two players had center covered for the Yankees from 1936 through 1968. So, how does the “top ten” list look for the Yankees pre-Joe and post-Mick? Here we go….pre-DiMaggio followed by post-Mantle:
Click on the lists below for a larger view ~
Earle Combs and Bernie Williams are the big winners here. So, between the two, who was better – Combs or Williams? Here are the numbers, with OPS and RC/G expressed as against the league average:
The RCAA/PA totals here are:
Bernie Williams 0.038
Earle Combs 0.047
That’s pretty close – as are the OPS and RC/G against the league average marks. OWP is close as well. I would go with Earle Combs here – by a nose.
Therefore, when talking about Yankees greats in terms of offensive seasons in center, start with Mantle and work towards DiMaggio. But, don’t forget Earle Combs, aka The Kentucky Colonel, before you move on to Bernie Williams.
