Blog: Neopets Trading Cards

Mantle reached the New York Yankees as a highly-touted 19-year-old rookie in 1951, a fleet-footed, power-hitting, presumed successor to the immortal but fading Joe DiMaggio. To accentuate the anticipation, he was given uniform number 6, immediately following DiMaggio's 5, Lou Gehrig's 4, and Babe Ruth's 3. The spotlight and the pressure were on.

A Shaky Legend Begins

The Yankees had won two consecutive world championships under Manager Casey Stengel in 1949 and 1950. They had a brilliant pitching staff headed by Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, and Ed Lopat, fine fielding anchored by shortstop Phil Rizzuto, and adequate hitting led by DiMaggio, who had come on in the latter half of 1950 to compile his last .300 average.

• Belkin Card Reader Driver

• Card Credit Discover Offer

  Discover Credit Card Offers. Automatic bill pay and 24/7 travel assistance, online account management and built-in fraud protection, purchase-tracking and cash back: These ...

• Sheepshead Card

• Tachiacardic

  tach·y·car·di·a (t k-kär d-) n. A rapid heart rate, especially one above 100 beats per minute in an adult. [tachy-+ Greek kardi, heart; see cardia.]

• Kids Sports Illustrated Insert Trading Cards