Inheriting a more mature Mantle, who now has seen the sights on and off Broadway, Ralph Houk quietly bestowed, no pun intended, the mantle of authority on Mickey. The Major decided that, rather than be led, the slugger could lead. And what leadership a proud Mantle has given so far.

The opinion continues here that with a 162 -- game schedule, pitching spread thin through a 10 -- team league and a most inviting target in Los Angeles' Wrigley Field Jr., Mantle just might break the most glamorous record on the books, Babe Ruth's 60 homers of 1927.

Mays' day came a day earlier for Willie than for the kids and Commies this year. Willie's wonderful walloping Sunday -- four home runs -- served merely to emphasize how happy he is to be playing for Alvin Dark.

Next to Leo Durocher, Dark taught Mays the most when he was a grass green rookie rushed up to the Polo Grounds 10 years ago this month, to help the Giants win a dramatic pennant.