The Greatest Center Fielder

[Nick Soulis]

Hello-

Any baseball historian has been compelled with the question of who the best centerfielder to ever play was. Centerfield is and always will be a glamour position in baseball and few arguments can get more heated then the discussion of who was best and why.

This dynasty is an attempt to answer this debate and see what OOTP says about who is greatest in center. So I will be playing out the careers of the 5 best centerfielders of all time and the most recognized and in the end of their careers see where we stand. The five candidates I chose are:

Joe Dimaggio
Willie Mays
Mickey Mantle
Duke Snider
Ken Griffey Jr

Since Mays and Mantle started their careers in 1951, this is when I will start my dynasty inserting the other players as rookies as well. The only debate I have is if I should have them play on their original franchises or have them drafted, im leaning towards their original fanchises as in reality there was no draft at that time.

So I hope you follow along. I will also use this opening post to post their careers stats as I play them out.

[Nick Soulis]

Ongoing Statistical Page

The 1951 Major League Baseball season
As of May 28, 1951

Joe Dimaggio - New York Yankees

G.......AB.... H.... 2B... 3B... HR... RBI.... BB... K.... AVG... OBP.... SLG .....SB
60.... 272.... 88... 20..... 2..... 8..... 41 .....9 .....17 ....324.. .346... .500........ 0


Mickey Mantle - New York Yankees

G ....AB..... H ....2B.... 3B... HR... RBI..... BB... .K ....AVG.... OBP... SLG ...SB
30 ...116 ....31 .....1 .....0 ....10 .....26 ......18 ...30 .....267.... .360... .534... 2



Duke Snider - Brooklyn Dodgers

G...... AB..... H.... 2B ....3B.... HR..... RBI.... BB.... K.... AVG.... OBP.... SLG.... SB
39 .....138 .....40.... 9 ......0...... 2 ......16 .......15.... 22.... .290 ...355 .....399..... 4


Willie Mays - New York Giants

G....... AB..... H.... 2B..... ...3B.... HR.... RBI.... BB....... K.... AVG.... OBP.... SLG..... SB
59 ......239 ....56.... 11 .........2 .....8 .......37...... 23..... 34... .234.... .299... .397...... 3


Ken Griffey Jr - Cincinnati Reds

G ......AB..... H.... 2B.... 3B.... HR.... RBI.... BB...... K.... AVG.... OBP... SLG..... SB
51 .....100 ......18..... 3 .....0....... 3..... 18...... 17 ......29... .180... .299 ....300...... 1

[NYY #23]

This looks fun, and I'll be rooting for Joe D. I'd take Ty Cobb over Duke Snider though, but that's just my personal opinion.

[Nick Soulis]

April 16, 1951

Opening Day in the Major Leagues

At Griffith Stadium
NY Yankees....3
Washington....2 (10 inn)

J. Dimaggio 1-4
M. Mantle 1-5 2 K

In his first major league at bat Mickey Mantle struck out swinging against Connie Marrero. Mantle would go 1-5 with a couple of K's and four men left on base.

In contrast Dimaggio singled in his first at bat, a ground ball to left. Both players contributed to the Yankee win in extra innings.

At Crosley Field
Pittsburgh Pirates........2
Cincinnati Reds...........0

Ken Griffey Jr 0-1 K

Junior gets his chance to pinch hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and a man on, a tough spot for a rookie. The Kid strikes out looking at a Bugs Werle fastabll.

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

This looks fun, and I'll be rooting for Joe D. I'd take Ty Cobb over Duke Snider though, but that's just my personal opinion.

Your right on with Cobb, although many dont really argue for him with these guys but rather see Cobb is in the same catagory as say a Ruth.

On the otherhand there is so much debate about the centerfielders who played in the golden days of New York baseball which is what inspired me to do this dynasty. So for that reason and skipped Ty....

Im also rooting for Joe D....=)

[Nick Soulis]

Tuesday April 17

At Yankee Stadium
Boston Red Sox..........3
NY Yankees...............7

J. Dimaggio 3-4 2 RBI 2 R 2B HR
M. Mantle 1-3 2 RBI 2B

In the very first inning Dimaggio hits his first home run in his first Yankee Stadium at bat against Mel Parnell. Dimaggio had an excellent game growing the hype around him as he doubled and scored later in the win as well and looks calm and cool at the plate.

Mantle had a good day too doubling in a run in his first Yankee Stadium at bat and driving in his first two runs of his career. The Yankees look really dangerous with this lineup.

At Ebbetts Field
Philadelphia Phillies........2
Brooklyn Dodgers..........6

D. Snider 2-4 2 R 1 RBI 2B

Snider singled in his first major league atbat off of Robin Roberts. Snider then doubled in a run in the 8th to make it a strong debut for the smooth swinger.

At Braves Field
NY Giants..............4
Boston Braves........7

W. Mays 1-4 2B K

Mays strikes out looking in his first at bat as a pro against Warren Spahn but later gets a strong double in the 8th off him. Still the Giants lose.

At Wrigley Field
Cincinnati Reds.........3
Chicago Cubs...........4

K. Griffey Jr 0-4 K

Junor gets his first start as a pro but cant get much done and is hitless in his first five at bats.

[Nick Soulis]

Wednesday April 18

At Yankee Stadium
Boston Red Sox..........6
NY Yankees...............11

J. Dimaggio 3-5 2 R RBI
M. Mantle 3-4 HR 2 RBI 2 R

The Yankee offense continues to fly and the rookies are flying right along with it. Dimaggio gets three hits and scores two as he is batting .538 on the young season.

Mantle hit his first major league long ball and he killed it 468 feet away to center field. Mantle drove in two and was a big part of the 17hit attack of the Yankees today.


At Ebbetts Field
Philadelphia Phillies........2
Brooklyn Dodgers..........3

D. Snider 0-2 BB

The Dodgers win in the bottom of the ninth and the Duke has a quiet game. He is pinch hit for in the 9th by Cal Abrams.

At Braves Field
NY Giants..............4
Boston Braves........2

W. Mays 1-4 R 2B

Second double of the season for Mays as the Giants beat the Braves for their first win.

[Nick Soulis]

Thursday April 19

At Yankee Stadium
Boston Red Sox..........8
NY Yankees...............5

J. Dimaggio 1-5
M. Mantle 2-4 R

The Yanks suffer their first loss of the season. Dimaggio has a quiet day and Mantle stays relatively hot with two hits.

At Ebbetts Field
Philadelphia Phillies........4
Brooklyn Dodgers..........1

D. Snider 0-3

Snider couldnt figure out Russ Meyer and the Dodgers drop this one to the Phillies.

At Braves Field Game 1
NY Giants..............3
Boston Braves........7

W. Mays 0-4 K

Mays had issues with Johnny Sain and went hitless in the loss. Mays is 2-12 on the young season.

At Braves Field Game 2
NY Giants..........2
Boston Braves....6

W. Mays 1-4 R 3B

The Giants get swepted in the double header as Mays does bat out a triple but still had a poor overall day.

At Wrigley Field
Cincinnati Reds.........16
Chicago Cubs...........5

K. Griffey Jr 1-2 2 RBI 2 BB 1 R

Junior off the bench again but contributes in a big Reds win. Junior walked twice showing good patience and singled to right to drive in a run. The kid is showing patience and has his first 2 RBI.

[Nick Soulis]

Friday April 20, 1951

At the Polo Grounds
Brooklyn Dodgers...........5
NY Giants.....................10

D. Snider 1-4 HR RBI

W. Mays 1-4 HR 2 RBI 2 R

The Giants win as both players go yard for the first time of their careers on the same day. The Mays two run home run in the 7th broke the game open and was a sigh of relief. The ball only traveled 295 feet....

At Griffith Stadium
New York Yankees............5
Washington Senators........1

J. DiMaggio 2-5

M. Mantle 1-5 RBI

Mantle leads off and does drive in a run while DiMaggio has another multi hit game. Ed Lopat was in complete control in this one.

[Nick Soulis]

Saturday April 21, 1951

At Griffith Stadium
NY Yankees....................2
Washington Senators........3

J. DiMaggio 1-3 BB
M. Mantle (pinch ran and was caught stealing)

Mantle gets a rest as Sid Hudson and the Washington Senators beat the Yanks. DiMaggio has a double and got on base in the 8th when Mantle pinch ran for him.

At The Polo Grounds
Brooklyn Dodgers...........10
NY Giants.....................2

D. Snider 1-5 2B R RBI
W. Mayes 1-4 BB 2B

The Dodgers pound the Giants as Roy Campanella has a big day.

At Crosley Field
Pittsburgh Pirates.......7
Cincinnati Reds..........6

K. Griffey Jr 0-5 K

Griffey really struggled in this one leaving five men on base and showing nerves at the plate.

[Nick Soulis]

Sunday April 22, 1951

At Crosley Field
Pittsburgh Pirates.........4
Cinicnnati Reds.............6

K. Griffey Jr 0-1

Junior pinch hit with two men on in the 8th but field out to deep right field. The Reds did pull off the win.

At The Polo Grounds
Broklyn Dodgers.............3
NY Giants.....................7

D. Snider 2-4 R
W. Mays 1-3 R RBI BB

Snider had a nice game but the Giants over ran the Dodgers in this one. Mays drove in one run and had a minimal impact.

At Griffith Stadium
NY Yankees................10
Washington Senators.....3

J. DiMaggio 2-6 R RBI 2 BB
M. Mantle 3-6 2 RBI 1 R

Both players are becoming strong parts of the Yankee offense as both men combine for 3 RBI in the Yankee win and are both hitting over .400

[Nick Soulis]

Monday April 23, 1951

At Yankee Stadium
Philadelphia Athletics.......5
NY Yankees...................6

J. DiMaggio 3-4 HR 2 RBI 2 R 2B (.444, 2, 6)
M. Mantle 1-4 R K (.387, 1 , 7)

Dimaggio keeps his rookie hype going homering and doubling while driving in 2 runs. Mantle keeps his role as leadoff man and gets a hit. The Yanks make a late comeback to win this one.

At Ebbetts Field
Boston Braves.........1
Brooklyn Dodgers.....7

D. Snider 1-4 2 K (.269, 1, 3)

Snider plays a small role as the Dodgers beat up on the Braves behind Ralph Branca.

At Shibe Park
New York Giants.........5
Philadelphia Phillies......4

W. Mays 0-2 RBI BB (.207, 1, 4)

Mays continues to slump a bit at the plate as being a rookie isnt easy but the Giants win.

At Sportsman's Park
Cincinnati Reds..........2
St. Louis Cardinals......9

Ken Griffey Jr 1-2 2 BB 1 K (.125, 0 , 2)

Rainy day in St. Louis as Griffey gets a start and only gets only his second hit of the season. The kid has really struggled thus far.

[Terpripken]

Another good dynasty idea Nick. I'll be following...DiMaggio and Griffey especially.

[Nick Soulis]

Tuesday April 24, 1951

At Ebbetts Field
Boston Braves..........2
Brooklyn Dodgers.......6

D. Snider 1-4 HR RBI R (.267, 2, 4)

Snider hits his second home run of the season of Warren Spahn, a 416 foot drive to centerfield.

At Sportsman Park
Cincinnati Reds............3
St. Louis Cardinals........8

K. Griffey Jr.............0-1 K (.118, 0, 2)

Junior strikes out in a pinch hit appearance. He and the Reds continue to struggle mightily.

At Yankee Stadium
Philadelphia Athletics........9
NY Yankees....................7

J. DiMaggio 2-4 RBI R BB (.450, 2, 7)
M. Mantle 0-4 BB K (.343, 1, 7)

A two hit day for DiMaggio keeps his hot month going, Mantle looked fooled on this afternoon.

At Shibe Park
NY Giants.................9
Philadelphia Phillies.....3

W. Mays 1-4 R BB (.212, 1, 4)

Mays manages in single in the third and little else in the Giants win.

[Nick Soulis]

Wednesday, April 25, 1951

At Yankee Stadium
Philadelphia A's...........8
NY Yankees...............4

J. DiMaggio 0-4 K (.409, 2, 7)

M. Mantle 1-2 R 2 BB (.351, 1, 7)

Yanks drop this one with the young stars doing little in the loss against Bob Hooper.

At Shibe Park
NY Giants.................5
Philadelphia Phillies.....3 (13 innings)

W. Mays 1-6 2 K (.205, 1, 4)

Mays is obviously struggling and cant seem to get on track. The Giants do win in 13 innings.

At Crosley Field
Chicago Cubs..........9
Cincinnati Reds........5 (10 innings)

K. Griffey Jr 1-4 HR 3 RBI R BB (.143, 1, 5)

Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth young Griffey came to the plate against Dutch Leonard and hit a home run to right field to tie the game. It was Griffey's first home run; the Reds did lose but the kid did get a big hit in tough spot.

At Ebbetts Field
Boston Braves..........0
Brooklyn Dodgers.......1

D. Snider 1-3 BB (.273, 2, 4)

Don Newcombe pitches a shutout and Snider gets a hit and shows some patience at the plate.

[Nick Soulis]

Thursday April 26, 1951

At Fenway Park
NY Yankees...............7
Boston Red Sox..........5

Joe DiMaggio 2-5 R (.408, 2, 7)
Mickey Mantle 0-3 2 BB 3 K SB (.325, 1, 7)

Mantle failed to touch the ball or put it in play today but did draw three walks and is beginning to show a good eye. DiMaggio keeps his average over .400.

At Shibe Park
Brooklyn Dodgers.........6
Philadelphia Philles........1

Duke Snider 2-3 R BB SB (.306, 2, 4)

Snider has a good game as the Dodgers cruise in Philly.

At the Polo Grounds
Boston Braves...........23
NY Giants.................10

Willie Mays did not play

Mays get a rest in what was an incredible game over 5 hours. The Braves destroy the Giants and crack out an incredibe 29 hits!

[Nick Soulis]

Friday April 27, 1951

At Fenway Park
NY Yankees..........5
Boston Red Sox.....6

Joe DiMaggio day off, did not play
Mickey Mantle 2-5 HR RBI (.333, 2, 8)

Mantle leads off the game with a home run off Ray Scarborough but the Yankees lose. DiMaggio gets a deserved rest.

At The Polo Grounds
Boston Braves..........5
NY Giants................4 (10 inn)

Willie Mays 1-5 R (.205, 1 , 4)

Mays has little impact as the Giants continue to have trouble with the Braves and lose again.

At Shibe Park
Brooklyn Dodgers..........2
Philadelphia Phillies........8

Duke Snider 1-4 2 K (.300, 2, 4)

A bad day for the Dodgers as Russ Meyer was in control for the Phils.

At Frobes Field
Cincinnati Reds...........5
Pittsburgh Pirates........3

Ken Griffey Jr 0-0 BB (.143, 1, 5)

Junior pinch hit and walked in his only at bat against Bob Friend.

[Nick Soulis]

Saturday April 28, 1951

At Yankee Stadium
Washington Senators.........11
New York Yankees.............6

Joe DiMaggio 2-4 2B RBI R (.415, 2, 8)

Mickey Mantle 1-5 K (.320, 2, 8)

Yankees lose and DiMaggio continues to outperform Mantle although both rookies are off the impressive starts.

At Ebbets Field
New York Giants..........1
Brooklyn Dodgers.........4

Willie Mays 1-4 K (.208, 1, 4)

Duke Snider 0-4 2 K (.273, 2, 4)

Mays and Snider better get used to facing eachother in this rivalry.

At Forbes Field
Cincinnati Reds..........6
Pittsburgh Pirates.......7 (12 innings)

Ken Griffey Jr 0-0 BB R (.143, 1 ,5)

Junior comes off the bench to walk and score a run but the Reds drop another game and another big lead.

[MadBum]

Willie Mays is my horse in the race. Looks like Griffey Jr. is having a hard time getting acclimated to the bigs, while Dimaggio and Mantle are fitting right now. Go Mays! And even with hitting .208, he's had a better start to his career here then he did in real life.

How is the game working Mantle and Dimaggio on the same team? Does one move to the corner outfield, or do they just sit the bench? It's interesting having both on the same team.

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by MadBum

Willie Mays is my horse in the race. Looks like Griffey Jr. is having a hard time getting acclimated to the bigs, while Dimaggio and Mantle are fitting right now. Go Mays! And even with hitting .208, he's had a better start to his career here then he did in real life.

How is the game working Mantle and Dimaggio on the same team? Does one move to the corner outfield, or do they just sit the bench? It's interesting having both on the same team.

Thanks for following, good to have a Mays fan.

Both DiMaggio and Mantle are starting everyday. DiMaggio has the job in center field and Mantle has the job in right field. DiMaggio is a mainstay as the number three hitter in the lineup while Mantle bats lead off against righties and fifth against lefties...but yes they are both everyday players.