Mickey Mantle
Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth paved the way for their successors. The list includes Mickey Mantle, who is often called the best switch hitter in the history of the sport. He took on a number of positions during his time with the New York Yankees. The athlete received a handsome yearly salary of $800,000, but he continued to make bank for years after he retired in 1969. He teamed up with Unilever for a Brylcreem commercial in the early ‘70s. In 1995, he passed away after a liver transplant. He had been 63 years old.
Mickey Mantle
Roberto Clemente
During his time in the MLB, Roberto Clemente showed us that he has a lot of potential. For thirteen seasons, he was an All-Star pick. He earned a lot of awards over the course of the ‘60s. In 1955, he made his debut in the league and continued to play until he died in a shocking plane crash. At the time, he was on the way to deliver relief supplies to victims of an earthquake. He had raked in career earnings of $800,000 at the time of his death. John Hancock started the Roberto Clemente Award to honor players who are both dedicated to helping those in need and talented on the pitch. What a lovely tribute.
Roberto Clemente
