Page "Johnny Mize" Paragraph 3

Mize spent 1943 through 1945 in military service during World War II.

Returning to the Giants in 1946, a broken toe caused him to fall one short of the home run title, won by Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 1947 he rebounded to hit 51 home runs and tie Kiner for the league lead.

He also led in runs and RBI, and became the only player to strike out fewer than fifty times while hitting fifty home runs.

( This combination of power and control was a mark of Mize's style ; he also had seasons of 43 home runs and 49 strikeouts, and of 40 home runs and 37 strikeouts.