Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm glad you dig them.
What I really liked about this particular Mantle image was the fact that he DID look rather troubled. It dates to the series of exhibition games against Brooklyn before the start of the '51 season - I'm sure many of you have seen those waist-up shots of DiMaggio and Mickey posing together, smiling uncomfortably. I think I just fell in love with the idea that when this photograph was taken, Mickey was just this scared 19-year old, who was supposed to become a great Yankee legend from the get-go. From Ruth to Gehrig to DiMaggio to the Oklahoma Kid. I can't even imagine what kind of pressure he must have felt, especially with the NY media and Casey bragging on him for past year or so. Combine that with his ever-present, yearning desire to live up to his Father's expectations, I think you have a really powerful (and tragic) character. I guess I just wanted it to emote something a little darker than I normally go for.
But of course, that's just how I look at it...'cause I'm weird.
Graig