I Am Still Waiting for the Next Mickey Mantle

I was one of those kids who knew how many homers Willie Mays had in 1957. Easy, 35. The Orioles were my favorite team back then and 'the Mick' was my favorite player. There was nobody like #7. Nevertheless, over the years, sportswriters crowned dozens of 'bonus baby' rookies as the "next Mickey Mantle." Similar thing with Michael Jordan. There are a hundred versions of the "next Jordan" out there somewhere. Ditto Tiger.

A 16-year-old Italian, Matteo Manassero, will become the youngest golfer to compete in the Open Championship since 'young' Tom Morris in 1865. He accomplished this by winning the Amateur. Sergio Garcia won the Amateur in 1998 and has played in the Open numerous times since. With a lot of hard work, a few good breaks and the grace of God, Matteo might become the next Sergio Garcia. Do you see where I am going with this?

The past twelve U.S. Amateur champions have won a total of two golf tournaments as professionals.Danny Lee won the 2008 United States Amateur.  With a lot of hard work, a few good breaks and the grace of God, Danny might become the next Michael Campbell, the fellow New Zealander, who won the U.S. Open in 1995.

Using this formula, let's choose some great golfer each new rookie golfer can emulate first. For example, young Rory McIlroy has fellow countryman Darren Clarke to look up to. Darren is a career European superstar and Ryder Cup performer. Camilo Villegas is fortunate to have Angel Cabrera, Andres Romero and numerous other South Americans whose careers he could mirror. And, if the United States ever produces another promising golfer, he could be proclaimed as the next Sean O'Hair.

So, there might come the next Sergio, Darren or Michael Campbell, but God made only one Mickey Mantle. One Michael Jordan. One Tiger Woods. No more. No less.