Born #otd October 20, 1931, future Hall of Fame outfielder Mickey Mantle is born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. Mantle is named after another Hall of Famer-Philadelphia A’s catcher Mickey Cochrane. The greatest switch-hitter in history, Mickey Mantle combined power and speed unlike any other man before him in baseball history. He followed Joe DiMaggio in the procession of Yankee center fielders and heroes. He overcame injuries to play more than 2,000 games and hit 536 home runs. He played in twelve World Series, won three Most Valuable Player awards, and captured the Triple crown in 1956.