One step backward, immortality going forward

A wunderkind rookie named Mickey Mantle finds himself being demoted to the minors 72 years ago today as the New York Yankees send the prized, but struggling, right fielder to their Class AAA affiliate in Kansas City.

The 19-year-old Mantle is batting .260 at the time of his demotion in 1951, but is in the midst of a 3-for-15 skid that includes a three-strikeout performance in his last game against Cleveland.

Mantle initially does not take well to his demotion, going hitless in his first 22 at-bats at Class AAA before ending his stay in Kansas City with 60 hits in his final 169 plate appearances there.

Mantle – seen here with Kansas City manager George Selkirk – never plays another day in the minors as he carves out a Hall of Fame career before retiring on March 1, 1969.