How'd you feel about Lee May going to the Orioles?
Incidentally -- in 1969, 1970, and 1971 the Orioles won 109, 108, and 101 games. Yikes.
Cheers!
Today's baseball is contemptible mess. In the old days, many of us have stories of meeting our heroes in person. Mays, Aaron, Kaline, Maz, Brock, Billy Williams, Drysdale, Maury, Frank and Brooks, Jim Palmer...I met them all. Even the guys who weren't particularly nice like Gibson and Reggie would be civil and decent. I loved that game so much.
But Mantle is a figure of supreme legend, and most of the Yankee players of the 50’s and 60’s were tremendous fellows, even with their drinking and womanizing and wildness, They knew what is was to be idolized and loved by kids, and were very very good to us. God rest you, Mickey.
Of course, if we're talking The Birds, we have to mention Cal Ripken Jr. What a terrific player and role model, a work ethic for the record books and a very selfless player. When it came time for him to sit one out and end the streak, he did so knowing it was best for the team that he do so.