Who was the most popular baseball player of the 1950's?

Answer 1

The question was the most popular, not the player identified necessarily as the best player of that era. Arguably, Mickey Mantle was the most popular player of the 50's, given the rise in TV coverage during that decade, Mantle's home team being that of the New York Yankees, and the success of that franchise during that time. Other notables during that era would of course be Willie Mays and Ted Williams. Mays popularity during that time might have been affected by his skin color and Williams missed time during the early 50's due to his service in the Korean War. Add to that that Williams was past his prime during the 50's, albeit still being a very good hitter. Still, Mantle became a Baseball icon and was a hero to many a youngster growing up during this era.