"That split-second, extraordinarily heads-up base-running play Mickey Mantle performed in the top of the ninth of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, it turns out, was senseless. And as Manhattan’s Marc Salis and Walter “Wally From The Bronx” Kellermann last week pointed out — separately and in duplicate detail — Mantle’s base-running could have ended the game and the Series in Pittsburgh’s favor, at that moment — before Bill Mazeroski ever got a chance to homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Pirates’ a 10-9 win. With one out in the ninth, the Bucs led, 9-8, Mantle on first, pinch runner Gil McDougald on third. Yogi Berra hit a grounder to first baseman Rocky Nelson, who stepped on first for the second out. Mantle, realizing he had no chance to make it to second, dived back into first base, avoiding Nelson’s tag, which would have been the third out and likely would have ended the game, because it’s highly unlikely McDougald could have scored before that tag. But because McDougald scored to tie the game, Mantle always has been given credit for a fabulous decision. But had Mantle simply run to second he would have removed all risk of ending the game by being tagged by Nelson before McDougald scored. Nelson, in no position to throw home after stepping on first, had removed the force at second, thus Mantle would have had to have been tagged out at second or after a run down, allowing McDougald to easily score. The “spectacular” and legendary part of the play — Mantle diving back into first and eluding Nelson’s tag — was unnecessary, senseless. Had Nelson made that tag Mantle would have made one of the worst base-running errors in history."