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RUTH’S RECORD FALLS!

BAMBINO MOVES OVER FOR MANTLE!

THE MICK BREAKS THE BABE’S LONGSTANDING MAJOR LEAGUE RECORD.

Those were the headlines every Yankee fan and many baseball fans WANTED to read in the waning days of 1961, when a humble Bronx Bomber outfielder from Fargo, North Dakota, Roger Maris slugged his 61^st home run against Tracy Stallard of the rival Boston Red Sox in October 1961, to earn an (*) asterisk, hate mail and sorrow because it wasn’t Mantle who set that record. Many wanted Mantle to break what was once considered an “unbreakable” record, but a late season injury quelled Mantle’s chance at history.

On August 30, 1964, the headlines listed above could certainly have been typeset, as Mantle did indeed break a longstanding Major League Record, taking away the title from the Greatest Player of them all, himself, George Herman “Babe” Ruth.  That record, however, wasn’t one Ruth or Mantle, would ever have wanted, as Mick struck out for the 1,331^st time in his career to go one up on the Babe!  Since that time, so many legendary players have far exceeded that number of whiffs that Mantle and Ruth rank way down on the list of the top hundred “Whiffers” in MLB history.  The mark says much more about these two superstars longevity, than about their hitting ability, as both live forever in Cooperstown!

And what a list it is. Currently, Reggie Jackson leads the dubious record holders.  Directly behind him is future Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who managed to lead BOTH major leagues at one time or another, in striking out.  Ryan Howard and Frank Robinson, Derek Jeter, and Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Tony Perez and Willie McCovey, Hank Greenberg, Ken Griffey, Sr. and Bobby Bonds, Dale Murphy, Duke Snider and Chipper Jones.  Harmon Killebrew and Dave Parker, Eddie Murray, Andre Dawson, Eddie Mathews, Frank Howard, Jim Rice, George Foster, Carl Yastrzemski, Jimmie Foxx and Robin Yount. So many Hall of Fame members, so many home run hitters.  What general manager, or fantasy league owner wouldn’t want to draft some (or all) of them for their team?  Foxx, Thome, Jackson and Schmidt all managed to lead their respective leagues in “K’s” more than once, and all of these all-time greats rank in the top 100 “Whiffers” of all-time.

Their vintage baseball cards, from a variety of eras and from a variety of manufacturers, are highly desired.  Just Collect is always looking for vintage baseball cards of these players and all others.  See how you can sell your cards by clicking on the link here.