Author: David Shama

The truth was that Mantle’s physical demons did give him a huge burden to carry and at times put him in the hospital.  It was 50 years ago, during the 1961 season, that a hip injury stopped Mantle short in his pursuit of Babe Ruth’s 60 home run season record.

Mantle missed some games in September of 1961 and finished with 54 home runs.     Teammate Roger Maris broke the home run record with 61.  He played in more games and had the huge advantage of hitting in front of Mantle in the lineup.

The summer of 1961 captivated the country as the “M&M boys” pursued the Babe’s place in history.  Mantle, Maris and the great world championship Yankee team of 1961 later inspired a Billy Crystal directed movie, 61*.

That season also transformed Mantle into more of a hero than ever before.  As he approached his 30^th birthday, Mantle’s physical tribulations had been sufficiently documented to the point he was admired for achieving what he could.  And Maris, a lesser talent than Mantle, was seen as not worthy of pursuing the great Babe Ruth’s record.  If anyone deserved to be Ruthian in post-World War II America, it was Mantle.

Mantle would never have another season like 1961, although he did win his third American League MVP award in 1962.  In his last season, 1968, he fittingly hit a late September home run off Jim Lonborg of Boston.

Although he never played baseball again, he continued to be one of America’s greatest idols.  He would return to old-timers games in Yankee Stadium and hear thunderous applause.  He had a national youth baseball program named after him, and fans travelled to Monument Park in Yankee Stadium where a plaque honored him and a handful of other Yankee greats.

Mantle died at age 63 from cancer.  He was an alcoholic, reportedly convinced he needed to party because of the young ages when death claimed his male relatives.  Age 63 was apparently a bonus for “The “Mick.”  Born on October 20, 1931, he would have been 80 this fall.

The Twins open spring training later this month.  Fans will watch to see how slugger Justin Morneau is recovering from his concussion.  And each time Joe Mauer comes to the plate, wearing No. 7, fans know they’re watching a great ballplayer.

Baseball moves on but in the winter of 2011 there’s no forgetting “The Mick.”

ESPN college basketball analyst Dan Dakich told Sports Headliners that despite having four seniors who average more than 20 minutes per game, the Illinois team that plays at Williams Arena tomorrow night against the Gophers needs better leadership.

Illinois, with guard Demetri McCamey, forwards Mike Davis and Bill Cole, and center Mike Tisdale, was expected to be among the Big Ten’s best teams and for awhile was a top 25 ranked school, but the Illini have lost five of their last seven. Illinois is 5-5 in conference games and 15-8 overall, and has followers wondering if a rally and possible NCAA tournament invitation will happen.

“Really immature (team),” Dakich said on Sunday when asked what’s wrong with the Illini.  “Shouldn’t be (with) four seniors, all productive seniors.  I went to their practice.  Really immature group.  (Coach) Bruce Weber is catching a lot of heat, but ask anybody in basketball, he’s a great basketball coach.

“…This should be the easiest coaching year of his life.  Because these guys should be taking care of the locker room like Ohio State’s guys do.  It’s not getting it done.  Immaturity, it doesn’t play in the Big Ten.”

McCamey is among the conference’s most talented players.  He ranks second in league assists per game at 6.70.  He averages 14.7 points and Davis averages 11.3.  Davis and Tisdale are two of the conference’s best tandem rebounders.  Cole is a sometimes starter who makes .406 percent of his three point attempts.

Minnesota’s anxious fan base can only hope Illinois doesn’t come prepared to play its best.  The Gophers are a troubled team, too, having lost three of their last four games.  After point guard Al Nolen went out of the lineup following the Michigan win on January 22, the Gophers managed to beat Northwestern at home before losing three consecutive games including last Sunday to unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Ohio State, a team Dakich and a lot of other experts admire.

The Buckeyes have perimeter players who can score and a highly effective inside scorer in sensational freshman forward Jared Sullinger.  That’s a combination Minnesota can only envy.  The Gophers have inconsistent inside play and simply lack playmakers on the outside, needing multiple players who can shoot and also score off the dribble.

“You better have playmakers, and that’s what’s hurting Minnesota,” said Dakich, the former Indiana player and head coach at Bowling Green.  “Up here when we did the Minnesota-Indiana game (January 4), Al Nolen went and made plays.  Whether it’s hitting shots or creating for others. …”

Freshmen guards Austin Hollins and Chip Armelin have shown some promise in filling a playmaker role, along with Blake Hoffarber, out of position but assigned the point guard role with Nolen out indefinitely with his broken foot.  Armelin, who scored a career high 14 points on Sunday against Ohio State, showed speed to the basket and ability to improvise his shot coming off the bench.  Hollins got his first start, played 32 minutes and scored eight points.

The Gophers are 5-6 in the Big Ten, 16-7 overall.  Do coach Tubby Smith and his players have reason to be concerned about receiving a much anticipated NCAA invite?

“I think they have work to do, because who can’t you lose to in this league?” Dakich said.

Dakich was asked about Gophers forwards Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams, two players who have created speculation about leaving school early to play in the NBA.  Mbakwe, a junior, is averaging 13 points and 10.3 rebounds (tied with Sullinger for best in the Big Ten).  Williams, a sophomore, has minimal numbers for a starter, 6.4 points per game and 3.3 rebounds while making .152 percent of his three point attempts and .469 of his free throws.

“Mbakwe, he’s produced,” Dakich said.  “He’s had a good year.  My guess is he would have to take the advice of the NBA advisory committee and go from there (about leaving school early).  But I would think both of them…need a little more time.”

Dakich said there’s “no guesswork” in whether a player is going to be drafted because of the NBA advisory committee that will tell him what his projected  status is.  Mbawke could use a more “polished” inside scoring game, Dakich said, and he declined to predict whether Mbakwe could be drafted in the first round, not knowing how many quality European players will be available along with American players.

Dakich said years ago he heard that no player who averaged “15 points and 10 rebounds” in college didn’t play in the NBA.  That might give encouragement to Mbakwe who struggles with field goal and free throw shooting.

At first Dakich said “no chance” on Williams being taken on one of the NBA’s two draft rounds. Then he softened that opinion and said:  “But I would have a hard time based on simple production that Williams would be a guy.  Now I do know this, that NBA people think he’s the best athlete in the Big Ten.”

Dakich cautioned about the need for Williams to seek out the best advice on turning professional early and giving up his college eligibility.  “In my opinion it will be very important for Williams to listen to the right people,” he said.  “…As opposed to just saying, hey, some guy (said)…that I am ‘the best athlete’ and I am going to be a ‘lottery pick.’  You better be careful with all that.”