Yes, he was. In 1952, Mickey Mantle replaced Joe DiMaggio as the Yankees starting center fielder. Mantle originally played right field when he was brought up to the majors in 1951.
Chat with our AI personalities
Joe DiMaggio
Mickey Mantle started his Yankees career wearing the #6 in 1951 and later that season he started wearing the #7. He then replaced Joe DiMaggio as the Yankees center fielder.
A shortstop in his pre-MLB days, Mantle was primarily a Center Fielder in MLB and played sporadically at the corner outfield positions until late in his career when debilitating knee injuries forced him to play First Base.
Joe DiMaggio
No, he did not. Mickey Mantle drank alcohol, but he didn't use drugs.