Anyway, if an ideal team of Mickeys were to take the field, this is what it would look like.
Catcher: Mickey Cochrane - A two-time MVP, Cochrane hit two home runs for the Athletics during the 1930 World Series, aiding their eventual victory. His Hall of Fame career was cut short in 1937 when a pitch thrown by (the ironically named) Bump Hadley struck Cochrane in the head.
First Base: Mickey Vernon - A seven-time all-star, Vernon was also a two-time batting champ and finished his career with 2,495 hits.
Second Base: Mickey Morandini - A decent-hitting second baseman, Morandini is probably best known for turning an unassisted triple play for the Phillies in 1992, tagging Barry Bonds for the third out.
Third Base: Mickey Klutts - As his name might indicate, Klutts wasn't a stellar fielder, and he was too infrequently used in the big leagues for his bat to shine. But in 1976 he was co-MVP of the International League
Shortstop: Mickey Stanley - A gold glove centerfielder for the Tigers, Stanley played half the 1969 season at short, replacing defensive wizard Ray Oyler who had been drafted by the expansion Pilots. In fact, due to the liability of Oyler's bat, Stanley replaced him for much of the 1968 World Series as well.
Left Field: Mickey Rivers - Though in New York he was strictly a center fielder, Rivers played a handful of games in left field for the Angels and Rangers. But it was on the basepaths where he excelled, stealing 70 bases in 1975.
Center Field: Mickey Mantle - Even though he played through painful injuries, Mantle was an astonishing combination of power and speed. He was a 16-time all-star, 3-time MVP, 4-time home run champ, Triple Crown winner, and the 1956 batting champion. He was also the boyhood hero of every lad between New York and Oklahoma.
Right Field: Mickey Tettleton - Good behind the plate, Tettleton split time between catching and playing right field later in his career. Tettleton, like another Mickey on this line up, was a strong switch-hitter and had four 30-homer seasons.
Starting Pitcher 1: Mickey Lolich - The Tigers' all-time strikeout and shutout leader, Lolich won 25 games in 1971 and followed that up with a 22 win, 2.50 ERA season in '72. In the 1968 World Series he went 3-0, struck out 21, and had a 1.65 ERA.
Starting Pitcher 2: Mickey Welch - One of three Mickeys in the Hall of Fame, Welch was a 19th century phenom, winning 307 games in 12 seasons between 1880 and 1891. He sported a 44-11 record in 1885. In 1884 he once struck out the first nine batters he faced in a game.
Starting Pitcher 2: Mickey Welch - One of three Mickeys in the Hall of Fame, Welch was a 19th century phenom, winning 307 games in 12 seasons between 1880 and 1891. He sported a 44-11 record in 1885. In 1884 he once struck out the first nine batters he faced in a game.
Closer: Mickey Harris - A former 17-game winner for the Red Sox, Washington manager Bucky Harris (unrelated) moved Mickey Harris to the bullpen when he came to play for the Senators in 1949. He wasn't great, but he did save 15 games in 1950.
Manager: Mickey Cochrane - Not only was he a Hall of Fame catcher, Cochrane was also a successful player/manager for his Detroit Tigers in the 1930s. In 1934 his team won 101 games; in 1935 they were World Series champions.
It's startling how many Mickeys turned out to be catchers. I assume the tremendously popular Cochrane had something do with this, although maybe players of Irish descent were more inclined to saddle up behind the plate for some reason.
Also, I couldn't understand where Cornelius Frances "Neal" Finn got his "Mickey" nickname until I realized that "slipping a Mickey" and a "Mickey Finn" were the same thing.
Interestingly (for me at least) there was a Major League player in the 1970s named Mickey Scott, which happens to be my name as well. I wish he had been a better player (as if we had more than just names in common, as if I were somehow responsible for him), but I guess you don't really want to share your name with somebody too well known. "Michael Bolton," anybody?
