In 1957, Willie Mays became only the fourth player to hit at least 20 doubles, 20 triples, and 20 home runs in the same season.
It was a forgettable season for New York Giants fans, and most have forgotten it, but 1957 was a great year for Willie Mays. The New York Giants won only 69 games while losing 85, finishing a distant sixth to the Milwaukee Braves, but Willie hit .333 and became only the fourth player to ever hit at least 20 doubles, 20 triples, and 20 home runs the same season. Frank “Wildfire” Schulte did it for the 1911 Cubs, Jim Bottomley did it for the 1928 Cardinals, and Jeff Heath did it for the 1941 Indians. In 1979, George Brett accomplished the feat with the Royals, and this past season, Curtis Granderson did for the Tigers and Jimmy Rollins did it for the Phillies.
The 1957 Giants Lacked Offense
Willie Mays and Hank Sauer were the only Giants to hit at least 20 home runs. Willie hit 35, Hank hit 26, and Daryl Spencer was the only other Giant to reach double digits in home runs with 11. The team averaged only 4.18 runs a game but allowed 4.55 runs. Willie was the only bright spot as the Giants drew 653,923 fans in their last season in New York before moving to San Francisco.
Some Outstanding Statistics
Mays led the league in slugging average (.626), triples (20), and stolen bases (38), although he was caught 19 times. He finished second in batting average to Stan Musical’s .351, second in on base average (.407) to Musial’s .422, third in runs scored (112), which is remarkable considering the Giants’ lack of offense, and second in total bases (366) to Musial’s 369. Willie’s 35 home runs was fourth best in the league.
Mantle Had a Great Season
Another reason that Willie’s 1957 season is rarely recalled is that across the Harlem River, another New York center fielder was having a season that, at the time, was considered an off year, but one that has gained stature with the passage of time. Mickey Mantle had won baseball’s Triple Crown in 1956, hitting .353 with 52 home runs and 130 RBIs, but he suffered his usual injuries, including a bad case of shin splints in 1957, and although he hit .365, he had only 34 home runs and 94 RBIs.
Mickey's Great Statistics
Mantle finished second in batting to Ted Williams’ .388. He led the league with 146 walks, runs scored with 121, and reached base 319 times. Mickey finished second to Williams in on base average (.512 to .526), second to Williams in slugging (.665 to .731), and second to Roy Sievers in total bases (315 to 331). He stole 16 bases but was caught only 3 times. It was clearly a better season than Willie’s, but not by much. Mickey’s greater number of walks (146 to 76) is the major difference that gives Mickey the edge.
Why Willie's Great Season is Rarely Mentioned
If the 1957 Giants had won the pennant or been a contender, Willie’s season would have received greater recognition. If the Giants and Dodgers hadn’t abandoned New York after the season, and if the Giants were not New York’s third team, Willie’s season would have received greater recognition. And if Willie hadn’t had even greater season’s, his 1957 season would have received greater recognition.
