In 1935, George Selkirk took over right field for the Yankees when the
Bambino left for the Braves.  I can think of a lot of similar
situations - a nobody replacing a super star.  But here is my
question:  Can someone name a baseball superstar (well, at least an
all star with a name in common use - who was replaced the very next
year in the very same position who himself ended up becoming a superstar/all star?

Hello metokos,

Here's a momentous event: Mickey Mantle replacing Joe DiMaggio --

"Originally signed as a shortstop, the Yankees moved Mantle to right
field before his rookie year in 1951.  (New York's incumbent shortstop
was Phil Rizzuto, the reigning AL MVP).  When Joe DiMaggio retired
after that season, Mantle inherited his centerfield post."

"Historical Matchups: Joe DiMaggio vs. Mickey Mantle"
BaseballLibrary.com
http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/features/matchups/dimaggio-mantle.stm

And here's another: Carl Yastrzemski replacing Ted Williams --

"Signed as a shortstop off the Notre Dame campus in February 1959,
Yastrzemski replaced Ted Williams in left field for the Boston Red Sox
in 1961 and followed him into the Hall of Fame in 1989."

"Carl Yastrzemski"
BaseballLibrary.com
http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/Y/Yastrzemski_Carl.stm

Who knew that both the Mick and Yaz were originally shortshops?  It's
extraordinary that each replaced one of the greatest outfielders of
all time, and then became one of the greatest himself.

- justaskscott


Search strategy --

Searched on Google for:

"mantle replaced dimaggio"
mantle dimaggio
williams yastrzemski

Two for the price of one - thanks.