#26 Dale Mitchell

#26 Dale Mitchell

81 of 274

29.6% complete

"His Walk About" - Dale spent the vast majority 11 MLB seasons as a member of the Cleveland Indians.  His final 19 regular season games (and 4 World Series games) in 1956 were as a Brooklyn Dodger.  A two-time All-Star, Dale retired with an impressive .312 lifetime average.  While amassing 1,244 career hits, Dale twice had 200+ hits in a season.

"That's Not a Knife" - It's Dale Mitchell making the final out in Don Larson's Perfect Game in the 1956 World Series.  Mitchell was pinch hitting in place of Sal Maglie for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  It was a rare strike out for Mitchell who still holds the record for two highest season averages at University of Oklahoma (.467 in '45 and .507 in '46).  Mitchell insisted until his death that the called strike-three was in fact a ball.  Given that he only struck out once every 34 at bats over his MLB career, maybe it wasn't just sour grapes.  The 34-1 ratio is good for 7th best all-time.

"More of a love bite really..." - There are some decent creases to be found on this card, but nothing I would describe as too distracting.

"Down Under" - Mitchell is card #92 in the 1952 set. I prefer the '52 and it's not close.  My copy below could probably use an upgrade, but even in that sort of shape it's still an easy call.  That cuts the '53 set's lead to 29-27-7.

"At the Oscars"

2x All-Star '49, '52

Led AL in Hits '49

Led AL in Triples '49

88th All-Time Career Average

World Series Ring '48 (Cleveland)

2nd AL Batting '52

3rd AL Batting '48

4th AL Batting '49

6th AL Batting '47

2nd AL Hits '48

7th AL Hits '52

4th AL Triples '47

4th AL Stolen Bases '48

5th AL Stolen Bases '49