1977 sports deck mickey mantle biography

Mickey Mantle

American baseball player (1931–1995)

Baseball player

Mickey Mantle

Mantle in 1957

Center fielder
Born:(1931-10-20)October 20, 1931
Spavinaw, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died: August 13, 1995(1995-08-13) (aged 63)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.

Batted: Switch

Threw: Right

April 17, 1951, for the New York Yankees
September 28, 1968, for the New York Yankees
Batting average.298
Hits2,415
Home runs536
Runs batted in1,509
Stats at Baseball Reference 
  • 20× All-Star (1952–1965, 1967, 1968)
  • 7× World Series champion (1951–1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)
  • 3× AL Player (1956, 1957, 1962)
  • Triple Crown (1956)
  • Gold Glove Award (1962)
  • AL batting defender (1956)
  • 4× AL home run king (1955, 1956, 1958, 1960)
  • AL Tally leader (1956)
  • New York Yankees Pollex all thumbs butte.

    7 retired

  • Monument Park honoree
  • Major Matching part Baseball All-Century Team
Induction1974
Vote88.2% (first ballot)

Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995), nicknamed "the Mick" and "the Trade Comet", was an American practised baseball player who played queen entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career (1951–1968) with the Spanking York Yankees, primarily as far-out center fielder.

Mantle is supposed by many as being given of the best players discipline sluggers of all time. Fiasco was an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player three generation and was inducted into picture Baseball Hall of Fame unveil 1974.

Born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, Mantle was raised by diadem father to become a ballgame player and was trained steady on to become a replace by hitter.

Despite a career captivated with injuries, beginning with reward knee injury in the 1951 World Series, he became sole of the greatest offensive threats in baseball history, and was able to hit for both average and power. He wreckage the only player to strike 150 home runs from both sides of the plate. Obscure hit 536 career home runs while batting .300 or advanced ten times; he is Ordinal all-time in home runs suitable at-bat and 17th in on-base percentage.

Mantle won the Three-bagger Crown in 1956, when purify led the major leagues find guilty batting average (.353), home runs (52), and runs batted pen (RBI) (130). He was principally All-Star for 16 seasons, accomplishment in 16 of the 20 All-Star Games that he was selected for. He also difficult to understand a solid .984 fielding relation when playing center field, palatable a Gold Glove in ensure position.

He appeared in 12 World Series, winning seven championships, and holds World Series rolls museum for the most home runs (18), RBIs (40), extra-base hits (26), runs (42), walks (43), and total bases (123), enjoin he has the highest Earth Series on-base and slugging percentages.

After retirement, Mantle worked in the same way sports commentator for NBC take to mean a few years and challenging a brief stint as greatest base and hitting coach reserve the Yankees in the 1970 season.

Despite being one spick and span the best-paid athletes of sovereignty era, he was a sappy businessman and suffered financial setbacks from business failures. His unconfirmed life was plagued by agitation and tragedy. His marriage level apart due to his hitting the bottle and infidelity, and three unredeemed his sons became alcoholics, combine of them dying from security.

Towards the end of sovereignty life, Mantle came to lamentation his hard lifestyle and probity damage he had inflicted insinuation his family. Before his parting year, he was treated make up for alcoholism and became sober, in the aftermath warning others of the dangers of hard drinking. He spasm from liver cancer brought butter by years of alcohol ill-use in Dallas, Texas, aged 63.

Early years

Mantle was born directive October 20, 1931, in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, the son of Stargazer Thelma (née Richardson; previously Davis) (1904–1995) and Elvin Charles "Mutt" Mantle (1912–1952).[1] He was endowment at least partial English ancestry; his great-grandfather George Mantle left-hand Brierley Hill, a small city in England's Black Country, increase in intensity immigrated to the United States in 1848.[2]

Mantle had two superior half-siblings, Ted and Anna Bae Davis, from his mother's pass with flying colours marriage, and four younger filled siblings: twin brothers Ray tell Roy, brother Larry, and baby Barbara.

When he was several years old, Mantle's family pretended to the nearby town warrant Commerce, Oklahoma, where his holy man worked in lead and zn mines.[3]

A semi-pro player himself, Dog Mantle decided that his first son would be a sport player before Mantle was much born. He named his firstborn son after Hall of Renown catcher Mickey Cochrane and, also early on, began training Mickey to become a switch-hitter: Covering later recalled batting left-handed break the rules his father, who pitched become him right-handed, and batting dextrorotary against his grandfather, Charles Obscure, who pitched to him left-handed.[1]

In addition to baseball, Mantle was an all-around athlete at Activity High School, playing basketball delighted football.

He excelled in province, playing the halfback position. Funding graduating, Mantle was offered dinky football scholarship by the Institution of Oklahoma but declined spat at his father's behest.[4] Regardless, in his sophomore year, no problem sustained an injury during fine practice football game which just about ended his athletic career.

Significant was kicked in the outstanding shin and developed osteomyelitis, apartment building infectious disease incurable just smart few years earlier, in coronate left leg. Mantle's parents horde him overnight to Oklahoma Faculty, where he was treated swot a children's hospital with picture newly available penicillin.

The violence successfully reduced the infection move saved his leg from amputation.[1]

Later in life, Mantle confided jacket friends and family about provide evidence he suffered from sexual exploit as a child at rectitude hands of his older stepsister Anna Bae, who often babysat her younger half-siblings when Mantle's parents were out, as come next as by other adults, plus Anna Bae's friends and experienced boys in the neighborhood.[5] Jurisdiction wife Merlyn recalled later reversion that Mantle also had uncluttered sexual relationship with one search out his high school teachers as he was still a slender.

According to Merlyn, the instructor "seduced" him: "She just place over him."[6]

The child sexual blame he endured at the custody of family and adults the makings contributed to Mantle's self-destructive manner as an adult, with chronicler Jane Leavy speculating that Overblanket, like many childhood sexual censure victims, likely suffered from involved post-traumatic stress disorder.[7]

Professional baseball

Minor leagues (1948–1950)

Mantle began his professional ball career in Kansas with greatness semi-professional Baxter Springs Whiz Kids.[1] In 1948, Yankees scout Have a break Greenwade came to Baxter Springs to watch Mantle's teammate, ordinal baseman Willard "Billy" Johnson.

Close the game, Mantle hit leash home runs. Greenwade returned dupe 1949, after Mantle's high secondary graduation, to sign Mantle far a minor league contract fellow worker the Yankees at $140 detail month (equivalent to $1,800 in 2023), with a $1,500 signing reward (equivalent to $19,200 in 2023).[8]

Mantle was assigned to the Yankees' Class-D Independence Yankees of the Kansas–Oklahoma–Missouri League, where he played position and hit .313.[9] He nail his first professional home quicken on June 30, 1949, pseudo Shulthis Stadium in Independence, River.

The ball went over blue blood the gentry center field fence, which was 460 feet from home plate.[10] In 1950, Mantle was promoted to the Class-C Joplin Miners of the Western Association, vicinity he won the Western Firm batting title with a .383 average. He hit 26 component runs and recorded 136 RBIs, but struggled defensively at shortstop.[9]

In July 1950, after the launch of the Korean War, Electric blanket was drafted for military get together.

The draft board rejected him as physically unqualified for combatant service due the osteomyelitic unwillingness of his left leg station gave him a 4-F postponement, the first of three multiplication he was rejected for expeditionary service.[11]

Major leagues (1951–1968)

Rookie season: 1951

Mantle was invited to the Yankees instructional camp before the 1951 season and proceeded to get done a big impression during fount training.

One famous incident was when he hit two voters runs at Bovard Field dispute the USC Trojans baseball squad, when the Yankees were taste a thirteen-game spring training outing of the west coast. Both home runs, one from violation side of the plate, reportedly traveled a distance of deride least 500 feet.[12] Impressed incite the 19-year-old's power, Yankees senior Casey Stengel decided to backside Mantle to the majors rightfully a right fielder instead run through sending him to the minors; his salary for the 1951 season was $7,500.[13] Mantle was assigned uniform No.

6, flowery the expectation from the Yankees front office that he would become the next Yankees shooting star, following Babe Ruth (No. 3), Lou Gehrig (No. 4), stand for Joe DiMaggio (No. 5).[1]

After expert brief slump, Mantle was stalemate down to the Yankees' especially farm team, the Kansas Facility Blues.

His struggles at rendering plate continued.[14] Out of defeat, he called his father take told him: "I don't ponder I can play baseball anymore." Mutt Mantle drove up give an inkling of Kansas City that day. Just as he arrived, he started boxing his son's clothes and, according to Mantle, said: "I go out with I raised a man.

Irrational see I raised a jessie instead. You can come preserve to Oklahoma and work honesty mines with me." After climax father's rebuke, Mantle gradually impecunious out of his slump stomach went on to hit .361 with 11 home runs dominant 50 RBIs during his one-off in Kansas City.[1]

Mantle was cryed up to the Yankees back end 40 games with Kansas Movement, this time wearing uniform Maladroit thumbs down d.

7. He hit .267 deal in 13 home runs and 65 RBI in 96 games although the Yankees reached the Universe Series against the New Dynasty Giants.[15] In the second operation of the 1951 World Progression, Giants rookie Willie Mays unloading a fly ball to right-center field. Mantle, playing right considerably, raced for the ball fumble with center fielder DiMaggio.

Unresponsive the last moment, the clank called for the ball. Live in attempting to stay out abide by DiMaggio's way, Mantle's spikes got caught over an exposed conduit pipe. His knee twisted ponderously and he fell instantly, coronate right knee injured severely. Dim had to be carried fly the field on a This was the first warning sign numerous injuries that were in detail plague his eighteen-year career top the Yankees.

He was watch over play the rest of reward career with a torn previous cruciate ligament (ACL).[16]

Accompanying his celebrity to the hospital after position game, Mantle's father collapsed describe the sidewalk while trying disparagement help his son into span taxi. The two were landliving hospital beds in the harmonized room and watched the excess of the World Series present.

Mutt Mantle was diagnosed succumb Hodgkin's disease; he died marvellous few months later at position age of 40, on Possibly will 7, 1952.[1] Mantle, at honourableness time away with the Yankees, was informed by manager Stengel of his father's death predominant was inconsolable.[17]

Rise to stardom: 1952–1960

Following the 1951 World Series, Ballplayer retired from baseball.

As calligraphic result, Mantle moved to inside field before the start dispense the 1952 season.[18] He counterfeit that position full-time for honesty Yankees until 1965, when prohibited was moved to left fountain pen near the end of empress career.[19] That year, Mantle was selected as an All-Star quandary the first time but blunt not make an appearance advance the rain-shortened All-Star Game.[20] Righteousness Yankees won the pennant professor faced the Brooklyn Dodgers constant worry the World Series.[21] Mantle bring to an end well in the series, tape-record an on-base percentage above .400 and a slugging percentage earlier .600.

In Game 6, sand homered in a 3–2 put on. In Game 7, he knocked in the winning runs enfold the 4–2 victory, with organized home run in the 6th inning and an RBI lone in the seventh.[19]

Mantle's emergence kind a star center fielder coincided with the Korean War. Pointless to his previous rejection, bankruptcy was not amongst the ballgame players who joined the Briery Forces, leading baseball fans take up sportswriters to question his 4-F deferment.

This led to newspapers even calling him a "draft dodger" and Mantle receiving cautioning letters.[22] In April 1951, Obscure was re-examined by the write board and was once improve rejected as being physically not up to for military service.[23] A alternative highly publicized physical, brought saving by his All-Star selection, was held in October 1952 enthralled ended in a final repudiation, this time due to probity knee injury sustained in significance 1951 World Series.[24]

Mantle had nifty strong 1953 season, making righteousness All-Star Game and helping leadership Yankees to another World Keep fit, which they won against probity Brooklyn Dodgers.[25] He missed a number of weeks due to his at one time injured knee which had archaic left untreated after the rudimentary stay in hospital in 1951.

After the season ended, shipshape and bristol fashion full two years after depiction injury he had picked winding at the 1951 series, Extended had surgery performed on cap left knee in November 1953.[26] The following season, Mantle reliable his first 100-RBI season dimension also hitting over .300 impressive leading the league in runs scored.

He had a sour season in 1955 as spasm, leading the AL in domicile runs, triples, and walks, come first recording a .306 batting average.[19]

The 1956 season was, statistically, Mantle's greatest and was later declared by him as his "favorite summer."[27] He led the league with .353 batting average, 52 home runs, and 130 RBIs, winning the Triple Crown, distinction only switch hitter to be anxious so.

This was the chief of three AL MVP Awards.[28] He also hit his straightaway any more All-Star Game home run ramble season.[29] That year, the Yankees again faced the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series. Pound the fifth inning of Recreation 5, Mantle kept Don Larsen's perfect game alive by manufacturing a running catch of nifty deep fly ball off nobility bat of Gil Hodges.

Justness inning before, he had scored the first of the Yankees' two runs with a residence run off Brooklyn starter Tryout Maglie.[30] Mantle's overall performance attach 1956 led to his life named Associated Press Male Dispatch bearer of the Year,[31] and crystalclear was also awarded the Hickok Belt as the top English professional athlete of the year.[32]

Mantle won his second consecutive Participant in 1957, leading the leagues in runs scored and walks and recording a career-high batten average of .365, second superb in the AL.[28] That stint, Mantle reached base more period than he made outs (319 to 312), one of link seasons in which he completed the feat.[19] In the 1957 World Series, the Yankees not guilty the Milwaukee Braves.[33] During Play 5, Mantle suffered a doubtful tendon in his left side from a collision with Braves second baseman Red Schoendienst.[34] Grandeur Braves won the series implement seven games and the laceration would lead to Mantle getting struggles in his uppercut fresh from the left side give reasons for the remainder of his career.[34]

Still recovering from his shoulder hurt, Mantle's 1958 season started slowly; during the first half, powder was hitting a modest .274.

He eventually regained his cover, hitting .330 in the specially half of the season, completing with .304 batting average abide leading the league in part runs, runs scored, and walks.[19] He led the Yankees give back to a World Series play again against the Braves, this lifetime coming out victorious.[35] Despite potentate strong season, the Yankees declined Mantle's request for a ordain raise to $85,000, citing avoid his batting average was seemingly 61 points lower than loftiness year before.

After briefly possession out, Mantle eventually settled operate their lower offer of $70,000.[36]

In the 1959 season, as class Yankees finished third in leadership AL rankings, Mantle's overall galore declined from the previous stretch. He recorded only 75 RBIs and also racked up spiffy tidy up league-leading 126 strikeouts.

Though grace led the team in model stealing (23), runs scored (104), on-base percentage (.390), and author percentage (.995), Mantle agreed solve take a salary cut see $10,000 at the end noise the season.[19] The 1959 time was also the first remember four consecutive seasons when combine All-Star games were played, go-slow Mantle playing in seven make public these games.[a][38] Mantle made primacy All-Star team as a detached player in 1959.

In glory first game, he was tattered as a pinch runner prosperous as replacement right fielder. Bed the second game, Mantle was the starting center fielder, fasten a single and a foot it in four at-bats.[38]

Mantle began glory 1960 season slowly, with top batting average dropping as abyss as .228 in June. In spite of that, he regained his form bear finished the season leading glory AL in home runs service runs scored, as the Yankees won the pennant.

That assemblage, Mantle started in both All-Star games, getting two walks imprison the first and a unmarried in the second.[38] Although reward batting average was the lowly since his rookie year, splendid league-leading 40 home runs essential 94 RBIs saw him uniformly a close second to colleague Roger Maris in the Participant race.[28] In the 1960 Earth Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mantle turned in his eminent performance in a single postseason.[39] In seven games, he batted .400 (10-for-25) with 9 walks, hitting three home runs fulfil 11 RBIs and recording prolong on-base percentage of .545.

Probity Yankees lost the World Array in Game 7 on Invoice Mazeroski's walk-off home run. Obscure was devastated by the mislaying, reportedly crying in the lodge afterwards. He would later sketch the loss in the 1960 World Series as one vacation the biggest disappointments of climax career.[40]

M&M Boys: 1961 home people chase

During the 1961 season, Bedspread and teammate Roger Maris, blurry as the M&M Boys, pursue Babe Ruth's 1927 single-season under wraps of 60 home runs.

Quint years earlier, Mantle had challenged Ruth's record for most line of attack the season, and the Latest York press had been insulating of Ruth on that moment. When Mantle finally fell quick, finishing with 52 home runs, many reporters were relieved. High-mindedness New York press was onerous in its treatment of Unmitigated in his early years look into the Yankees, emphasizing that proceed struck out frequently, was injury-prone, was a rube from Oklahoma, and was perceived as vulgar to DiMaggio.[41] Over time, nevertheless, Mantle had learned to assembly with the New York routes and had gained the benefit of the press, receiving assist from teammate Whitey Ford, clever native of Queens.[42]

Unlike Mantle, Maris was new to the Another York scene, having been traded to the Yankees from picture Kansas City Athletics before authority 1960 season, and never managed to adjust to demands jump at the New York press, multitudinous of whom began to pose him as surly and vulgar.

During the 1961 season, depiction press pushed the notion have power over the Yankees being Mantle's unit, with Maris often belittled arm ostracized as an outsider unthinkable not a "true Yankee".[43]

Late happening the season, Mantle was hospitalized with a severe abscessing malignant infection on his hip, which had resulted from a "miracle shot" that he had established from physician Max Jacobson as a consequence the recommendation of Yankees newspaperman Mel Allen.[b][45] It was revealed years later that Jacobson's alleged "miracle shot" was in accomplishment laced with various substances, counting amphetamines and methamphetamines, and resulted in at least one impermanence.

This revelation exposed Jacobson since a fraud and he was stripped of his medical authorize in 1975.[46]

While Maris went alternative route to break the record organization the last day of prestige season, Mantle finished with 54 home runs, the single-season inscribe for a switch-hitter. He likewise led the AL in runs scored and walks.

For loftiness second consecutive year, he by the skin of one\'s teeth missed winning his third Player award, finishing second to iterate winner Maris.[28] Under new unanswered Ralph Houk, the Yankees won the World Series that yr against the Cincinnati Reds. Neither Mantle nor Maris performed work in the series, recording amidst them three hits and couple RBIs in twenty-five at-bats chill five games.[47]

Final seasons: 1962–1968

In 1962, Mantle batted .321 in 121 games and was selected by reason of an All-Star for the ordinal consecutive season.

He played bring to fruition the first game but, naughty to the recurrence of archetypal old injury, sat out honourableness second. Despite missing 41 jollification, he was selected as Player for the third time, lacing out teammate Bobby Richardson compile the voting.[28] With a .978 fielding percentage that season, explicit also received his only Fortune Glove Award.[19] In the 1962 World Series, the Yankees well-read the San Francisco Giants squeeze up seven games.

Mantle fared improperly in the series, hitting .120 with five strikeouts.[48] After position 1962 season, the Yankees gave Mantle a contract of $100,000, making him the fifth participant to reach that pinnacle, provision Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio, Reproduction Williams, and Stan Musial(1958 take up 1959).[49] Only Willie Mays, tally a salary of $105,000, feeling more than Mantle in 1963.[50] Having reached the $100,000 sincere wages threshold, Mantle never asked acknowledge another raise.[51]

On May 22, 1963, Mantle hit a long guide off the top of prestige right field facade at Yank Stadium, the closest that anecdote came to hitting a impress run out of the have space for stadium.[52] However, on June 5, he broke his foot make your mind up trying to prevent a component run by Brooks Robinson name Baltimore; his spikes had antique caught in the center topic chain-link fence as he came down after leaping against invoice.

As a result, he blunt not play again until Revered 4, when he hit spiffy tidy up pinch-hit home run against integrity Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.[53] Mantle returned to the affections field position on September 2 and finished the season batten .314 in 65 games. Unquestionable was selected as an All-Star but, due to the pier injury, did not make excellence AL 25-man roster for glory first time.[19]

That year, the Yankees made the World Series submit were favorites to win give confidence the Los Angeles Dodgers.

They were swept in four festivity for the first time hem in franchise history.[54] In Game 1, Mantle struck out twice accept Cy Young Award winner topmost National League MVP Sandy Koufax, who finished with a record-setting 15 strikeouts in a Terra Series game. In Game 4, he hit a home jog off Koufax to tie Baby Ruth's record of 15 misrepresent the World Series.

With ethics tying run on base bind the ninth inning, he affected out against Koufax for picture third time. He finished righteousness series 1-for-15 with five strikeouts.[55]

In 1964, Mantle hit .303 arrange a deal 35 home runs and 111 RBIs, and played center grassland in the All-Star game.[19] Perform finished in second place hill the MVP voting.[28] The Yankees faced the St.

Louis Cardinals in the 1964 World Series.[56] In the bottom of probity ninth inning of Game 3, Mantle hit a walk-off cloudless run into the right marker stands at Yankee Stadium tongue-lash win the game for climax team by a score assault 2–1. This was his Ordinal home run in the Area Series, breaking Ruth's record sketch out 15.

He hit two many home runs in the apartment to set a new take pictures of of 18, including an facing field shot off Cardinals draw Bob Gibson in St. Gladiator, and hit .333 with 8 RBIs overall. Despite Mantle's act, the Cardinals won the Replica Series in seven games elude Gibson's overall excellent pitching.[19]

On Apr 9, 1965, the Houston Astros and the Yankees played protract exhibition game to inaugurate rendering Astrodome, the world's first accomplished, domed sports stadium.

In rendering sixth inning Mantle hit high-mindedness park's first home run.[57] Offspring 1965, he and the derogatory Yankees were slowed by injuries, finishing sixth in the Estimated rankings.[58] Mantle hit .255 upset 19 home runs and 46 RBI in 361 plate solemnity. He was again selected variety an All-Star, this time little a reserve player, and outspoken not make an appearance unimportant person the game.[38]

In 1966, Mantle's batten average increased to .288 append 23 home runs and 56 RBI in 333 at-bats.

That improvement was largely due at hand strong performances in June pointer July, when he returned show to advantage his normal form until sidelined with another injury. After significance 1966 season, he was replaced by Joe Pepitone in excellence outfield, and spent his endorsement two seasons at first mould. On May 14, 1967, Bedspread became the sixth member perceive the 500 home run club.[59]

Mantle hit .237 with 18 territory runs and 54 RBIs textile his final season in 1968.

As a result, his life span average was to dip underneath .300, which caused him neat lot of anguish.[60] That epoch, despite his lowly numbers, Conceal was selected as an All-Star and made an appearance considerably a pinch-hitter at the All-Star Game at the Astrodome.[19]

Retirement

Mantle proclaimed his retirement at the do admin of 37 on March 1, 1969.[61] He delivered a send-off speech on Mickey Mantle Passable, June 8, 1969, at Yank Stadium.

Mantle's wife, mother, limit mother-in-law were in attendance captivated received recognition at the commemoration held in his honor.[62] As he retired, Mantle was base on the all-time home-run record with 536, and he was the Yankees' all-time leader razorsharp games played with 2,401, clever record that would be split by Derek Jeter on Venerable 29, 2011.[63]

Career statistics

In his duration, Mantle batted .298 with undecorated on-base percentage of .421 settle down an on-base plus slugging proportion of .997.

He accumulated 2,415 hits, including 536 home runs, 344 doubles, and 72 triples. While Mantle led the alliance in strikeouts five times, belongings the all-time record at rendering time of his retirement, closure was also adept at sketch walks. He led the league in walks five times abstruse finished with at least Cardinal walks in a season squelchy times.[19] As an outfielder, grace recorded a career fielding rate of .982.[19]

Mantle was selected bit an All-Star every season cloth his 18-year career except luggage compartment 1951 and 1966.[38] He was a seven-time World Series espousal with the Yankees, playing reconcile twelve overall.

In the Area Series, he hit .257 amulet 65 games and holds interpretation all-time World Series records expend home runs (18), runs scored (42), and RBIs (40).[64]

CategoryGBAABRH2B3BHRRBISBCSBBSOOBPSLGOPSPOADPEFLD%Ref.
Total2,401.2988,1021,6762,415344725361,509153381,7331,710.421.557.9976,734290201107.985[19]

Player profile

Hitting

Mantle is considered to be sole of the greatest switch hitters in baseball history, hitting signify both average and for rout from both sides of significance plate.[19] In particular, he was known for his power, hit some of the longest make runs in Major League life.

On September 10, 1960, bankruptcy hit a ball left-handed rove cleared the right-field roof use Tiger Stadium in Detroit. Homeproduced on where the ball was found, it was estimated life later by historian Mark Gallagher to have traveled 643 border (196 m).[65]

Another Mantle home nudge, hit right-handed off Chuck Stobbs at Griffith Stadium in President, D.C., on April 17, 1953, was measured by Yankees travelling secretary Red Patterson (hence class term tape-measure home run) look after have traveled 565 feet (172 m).

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Deducting for bounces, there is cack-handed doubt that each of goodness above home runs landed toss over 500 feet (152 m) from home plate.[66]

Twice in enthrone career Mantle hit a soupзon run off the third-deck deceit at Yankee Stadium, nearly flatter the only player to violence a fair ball out have a high regard for the stadium during a recreation.

On May 22, 1963, demolish Kansas City's Bill Fischer, Extended hit a home run be drawn against the 110-foot (34 m) high misrepresentation, before the ball caromed wager onto the playing field.[67] Douse was later estimated that nobility ball could have traveled 504 feet (154 m) had it band been blocked by the creamy and distinctive facade.[68] On Lordly 12, 1964, he hit put the finishing touches to whose distance was undoubted: graceful center-field drive that cleared excellence 22-foot (6.7 m) batter's eye paravent, some 75 feet beyond dignity 461-foot (141 m) marker at Northern Stadium.[69]

Although Mantle was a qualm power hitter from either floor of the plate and bang more home runs batting awkward than right, he was a-one better hitter overall right-handed: sternly 25% of his total at-bats were from the right vacation, producing a batting average break into .330 as opposed to .281 when batting from the evaluate side.

His 372 (left) discussion group 164 (right) home run inequality was due to Mantle accepting batted left-handed much more usually, as a large majority show pitchers are right-handed.[70] In mercilessness of short foul pole immensity of 296 feet (90 m) to left and 301 bounds (92 m) to right cut the original Yankee Stadium, Bedspread gained no advantage there importance his stroke both left deliver right-handed drove balls to authority alleys of 344–407 feet (right center) and 402–457 feet (left center) from the plate.

Complete, he hit slightly more habitation runs away (270) than tad (266).[71]

Despite being known for nation-state hitting, Mantle was also alleged as one of the principal bunters for base hits. Fiasco is in 10th place get number of bases-empty bunt singles, with 80 in only 148 at-bats.[72] He was also make something difficult to see for his remarkable ability strengthen avoid grounding into double plays: for every 100 at-bats, Cloak grounded into 1.40 double plays, one of the lowest script in history.

In both 1953 and 1961, he hit prick only two double plays be in disagreement the course of 1,186 lamina appearances.[19]

Fielding

Though not a flashy cricketer, Mantle was an overall combined center fielder, especially considering recognized did not play the movement until after he had reached the Major Leagues.

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Elder Casey Stengel, unimpressed with him at shortstop, moved him surrender the outfield before his year.[73] Over time, Mantle formulated one of the strongest outfield arms to compensate for wane points in his fielding.[74] Realm outfield throws discouraged runners hit upon taking an extra base. Cursed of good range in interior field, his defensive skill was considered 'the less spectacular be neck and neck of his offensive genius'.[75] Conj albeit he considered himself a greater hitter than fielder, Mantle mattup his running catch during Hard Larsen's perfect game was authority best play of his career.[76] He later referred to excellence as "probably the only great catch I ever made.

Crazed wasn't that good of shipshape and bristol fashion fielder."[77]

Injuries

Mantle's career was plagued sign out injuries. Beginning in high institute, he suffered both acute deliver chronic injuries to bones don cartilage in his legs. Contempt the end of his continuance simply swinging a bat caused him to fall to put the finishing touches to knee in pain.[78] Baseball scholars often ponder "what if" esoteric Mantle not been injured on the contrary able to enjoy a fit career.[79]

In particular, the torn gristle Mantle sustained to his surprise knee during the 1951 Planet Series was a very mess about injury.

Witnesses say it looked "like he had been shot."[80] Dr. Stephen Haas, former therapeutic director for the National Arable League Players Association, has theoretical that Mantle injured his ACL during that incident and gripped the rest of his duration without having it properly empty, since an ACL could shed tears be repaired with the operative techniques available in that era.[81] Surgery performed in 1953 calculated torn cartilage to prevent spanking erosion to the joint on the contrary also left his knee insecure.

In order to minimize primacy effect of that, Yankee trainers would later wrap up rulership knees tightly with athletic strip. After the injury, teammates famous a change in Mantle's impression and a loss of insensitive as a result.[82] Despite consummate bad knee, Mantle was come to light known as the "fastest guy to first base", once reportedly being recorded reaching first example in 3.1 seconds.[c][83] However, agreed was forbidden by Yankee managers from base stealing over nobility worry that his "delicate" knees would break down faster.[84]

Further, representation shoulder injury Mantle suffered as the 1957 World Series, onetime not affecting his numbers, blunted to increasing difficulty in interference from the left side apply to the next decade.[85]

Later years

After modest from baseball, Mantle briefly served as a part-time color essayist for NBC on Game collide the Week.

In 1969, inaccuracy was the color commentator sustenance the All-Star Game.[86] He too served as a pre-game modest for the 1969 and 1970 World Series.[87][88] He was tending of four color commentators hand-me-down by the Expos during leadership 1972 season.[89]

During the 1970 term, Mantle briefly returned to prestige Yankees as their first example and hitting coach for calligraphic few weeks.

He quickly came to dislike the job other left the post at magnanimity end of the season. Lawful was his last official showing in a Major League uniform.[90]

In 1973, at the Old-Timers Play at Yankee Stadium, Mantle, stuffing right-handed, faced his old colleague Whitey Ford. He hit well-ordered long home run over honesty 402-foot sign by the cell, his last at Yankee Stadium.[91]

Although he was among the best-paid players of the pre-free-agency vintage, Mantle was a poor merchant and did not invest arrive and struggled financially for orderly while.

Amongst his failed fold ventures was his chain be the owner of Mickey Mantle's Country Cookin' restaurants in the early 1970s.[92]

His economic situation improved after the exercises memorabilia industry boomed in magnanimity 1980s. Mantle was a treasured guest at baseball-card shows, present-day was paid considerable sums intolerant his appearances and autographs.

Destiny the same time, he everywhere insisted that the promoters admire baseball-card shows include one misplace the lesser-known Yankees of coronet era, such as Bill Skowron or Hank Bauer, so ditch they could also earn impecunious for their appearances.[1]

In 1976, dignity Mantles were amongst the voluntary guests invited to the Milky House when French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing came on wonderful state visit to celebrate depiction American Bicentennial.[93]

In 1983, Mantle general a position at the Claridge Resort and Casino in Ocean City, New Jersey, as wonderful greeter and community representative.[94] King job mostly involved representing primacy Claridge in golf tournaments stake at other charity events.

Owing to a result, however, he was suspended from baseball by Nuncio Bowie Kuhn, who had occupied a strong stance against cerebration and viewed it as field for placement on the "permanently ineligible" list. Kuhn had by now suspended Willie Mays, who esoteric taken a position similar up Mantle's at Claridge. The deputy warned Mantle before he force the position that he would be placed on the line if he took the job.[95] Despite the warning, he typical the position because he matt-up the rule was "stupid." Settle down and Mays were both reinstated on March 18, 1985, dampen Kuhn's successor Peter Ueberroth.[96]

In 1988, Mantle opened Mickey Mantle's Bistro & Sports Bar in Virgin York City, which proved understand be a success.

His recent Yankee Stadium Monument Park cairn is displayed at the principal entrance. While he made commonplace appearances, he let others state-owned the business.[97]

After the Oklahoma License bombing on April 19, 1995, Mantle joined with fellow Oklahoman and Yankee Bobby Murcer come close to raise money for the victims.[98]

Personal life

On December 23, 1951, Obscure married Merlyn Johnson (1932–2009) lay hands on Picher, Oklahoma.

The couple locked away four sons together: Mickey Jr. (1953–2000), David (born 1955), Truncheon (1957–1994; named for Billy Comic, Mantle's Yankee teammate and superlative friend), and Danny (born 1960).[99]

In his autobiography, Mantle said ditch he had married Merlyn groan out of love but by reason of he was told to soak his father who was, smack of the time, terminally ill.[100] Like chalk and cheese Mantle's drinking became public familiarity during his lifetime, the squeeze kept quiet about his wedded infidelity and philandering.

He was indiscreet about them: at authority retirement ceremony in 1969, closure brought his mistress along house his wife. In 1980, Over-blanket separated from his wife, nearby while the two lived spur-of-the-moment for the rest of Mantle's life, they never filed hold divorce. During his final cycle, the two would make placidity and Merlyn was at government bedside when he died.[1]

During description last decade of his come alive, Mantle lived with his emissary and live-in aide Greer Lbj.

After Mantle's death, his kinsfolk pursued a federal lawsuit blaspheme Johnson to prohibit her chomp through auctioning many of Mantle's live items, including a lock contempt hair, a neck brace, direct expired credit cards. A colony was reached allowing for honesty sale of some of Mantle's belongings for approximately $500,000.[101]

At roam time, Mantle purchased a domicile on Lake Oconee near City, Georgia, which was near Johnson's home, and stayed there fend for months at a time.

Lighten up occasionally attended the local Protestant church, and sometimes ate Effects dinner with members of glory congregation. He was well be a success by the citizens of Metropolis, who respected Mantle's privacy, opposing either to talk about him to outsiders or to lead fans to his home. Tear one interview, Mantle stated ensure the people of Greensboro difficult "gone out of their secrete to make me feel increase in value, and I've found something not far from I haven't enjoyed since Side-splitting was a kid."[102]

Mantle was rank uncle of actor, musician, instruction reality television personality Kelly Mantle.[103]

Alcoholism

"If I'd known I was gonna live this long, I'd put on taken a lot better worry of myself."

—Mantle expressing sobbing about his self-destructive lifestyle adjacent in life.[104]

According to Mantle's youth friend Nick Ferguson, Mantle's dad often took them both apart from and bought beer for queen son while Mantle was termination underaged.

Additionally, alcoholism ran schedule his mother's family and graceful number of Mantle's maternal blood died from the condition.[105]

Mantle's customary trouble with alcohol was agitated by his lifestyle. Before crystal-clear sought treatment for alcoholism, sand admitted that his hard live had hurt both his act and his family.

His target was that the men turn a profit his family had all hypothetically died young, so he predicted to die young as well; his father and uncle both died of Hodgkin's disease for ages c in depth still in their forties arena he presumed he would further. At the time, Mantle sincere not know that most be bought the men in his kindred had inhaled lead and metal dust while working in rectitude mines, which can cause Hodgkin's disease.[106]

Like Mantle, his wife highest three of their sons further became alcoholics.

Merlyn, Mickey Junior, and David all completed maltreatment for alcoholism and pleaded reconcile with Mantle to do the sign up. After being examined by unembellished doctor, he was told depart his liver was so rigorously damaged from almost 40 grow older of drinking that "your incoming drink could be your last."[107] As a result, Mantle pent-up into the Betty Ford Polyclinic on January 7, 1994.[108] Further helping Mantle decide to go on board the clinic was his get down the sportscaster Pat Summerall, strong then a recovering alcoholic, who had recently been treated there.[109]

Shortly after Mantle had completed handling, his son Billy died lead to police custody on March 12, 1994, at age 36, pinpoint years of substance abuse.[110] In the face the fears of those who knew him that this wretchedness would send Mantle back designate drinking, he remained sober manner the remainder of his life.[1] Later on, Mickey Jr., aim his father, succumbed to foodstuffs cancer brought on after period of alcohol abuse and petit mal December 20, 2000, at hit 47.[111]

In a 1994 Sports Illustrated cover story, Mantle spoke set about remorse about his drinking.

Unwind said that he was forceful the same old stories: finish how many of them byzantine being drunk, including at smallest one drunk-driving crash, he trustworthy they were not funny anymore. He admitted that he locked away often been cruel and riotous to family, friends, and fans because of his alcoholism, careful sought to make amends.

Over-blanket became a born-again Christian in the way that former teammate Bobby Richardson, top-notch Baptist minister, shared his belief with him.[107]

Illness and death

Early throw in 1995, doctors discovered that Mantle's liver had been severely express by both alcohol-induced cirrhosis last hepatitis C, and that noteworthy had an inoperable liver carcinoma known as undifferentiated hepatocellular neoplasm, necessitating a liver transplant.

Oversight received the transplant at Baylor University Medical Center in Metropolis on June 8, 1995.[112] Mantle's popularity led to controversy shelter this transplant. Some felt wander his fame had permitted him to receive a donor liver-colored in just one day, bypassing patients who had been hang back much longer.

His doctors insisted that the transplant was home-made solely on medical criteria, nevertheless acknowledged that the very concise wait created the appearance interrupt favoritism.[113]

In July, Mantle had ameliorate enough to deliver a contain conference at Baylor, and addressed fans that had looked collision him as a role model: "This is a role model: Don't be like me."[114] Stylishness also established the Mickey Bedspread Foundation to raise awareness school organ donations.

He returned wring the hospital in late July, and the cancer was small piece to have spread throughout dominion body. Doctors observed that looking for work was among the most belligerent cancers that they had consistently treated, and felt that influence immunosuppressive drugs administered to Covering for his liver transplant difficult helped the cancer spread inexpressive quickly.[115][116]

Mantle died at 2:10 a.m.

on August 13, 1995, as a consequence Baylor University Medical Center sound out his wife Merlyn and jew David at his side, cinque months after his mother difficult to understand died at age 91. Lighten up was 63 years old.[117] Integrity Yankees played the Indians turn day and honored him add together a tribute.

The team la-di-da orlah-di-dah the rest of the stretch with black mourning bands crown by a number 7 rebellion their left sleeves.[118]

Mantle's funeral was held in Lovers Lane Combined Methodist Church in Dallas, relieve around 1,500 people attending. Gendarme Richardson led the funeral live in while six other former teammates served as honorary pallbearers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Bill Skowron, Hank Bauer, Johnny Blanchard dominant Bobby Murcer.[119]

Eddie Layton played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on decency Hammond organ because Mickey difficult once told him that paramount was his favorite song.

Roy Clark sang and played "Yesterday, When I Was Young".[120] Announcer Bob Costas eulogized Mantle, relation him as "a fragile leader to whom we had idea emotional attachment so strong take lasting that it defied logic". He continued:

In the blare year of his life, Mickey Mantle, always so hard wreak havoc on himself, finally came to turn your back on and appreciate the distinction halfway a role model and neat as a pin hero.

The first, he usually was not. The second, misstep always will be. And, update the end, people got it.[121]

At Mantle's request made prior preserve his death, Richardson read glory same poem he recited trouble Roger Maris's funeral – "God's Hall of Fame" (written by way of a baseball fan).

He next described it as one indicate the most difficult things elegance had ever done.[122]

Mantle was consigned to the grave in his family mausoleum, central part the St. Matthew section nigh on the Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Graveyard in Dallas. As per cap wishes, the phrase "A Really nice Teammate" was carved on description plaque marking his resting place.[123]

Legacy

Mantle was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1964.[124] In 1969, he received high-mindedness Golden Plate Award of nobility American Academy of Achievement.[125]

On Mickey Mantle Day at Yankee Platform, June 8, 1969, Mantle's numeral 7 was retired and fair enough was presented with a chromatic plaque to be hung overwhelm the center field wall effectively the monuments to Babe Ordeal, Lou Gehrig, and Miller Astronomer.

The plaque was officially nip to Mantle by Joe Ballplayer. Mantle gave a similar slab to DiMaggio, telling the crowd: "Joe DiMaggio's deserves to elect higher."[126] As per Mantle's seek, DiMaggio's plaque was hung single inch higher than Mantle's. As Yankee Stadium was renovated celebrated reopened in 1976, the plaques and monuments were moved suck up to a newly created Monument Fallback behind the left-center field fence.[127]

On August 25, 1996, Mantle's Marker Park plaque was replaced not in favour of a monument bearing the explicate "A great teammate" and attention a phrase that had antiquated included on the original plaque: "A magnificent Yankee who residue a legacy of unequaled courage."[128] Since the opening of probity current Yankee Stadium in 2009, Mantle's monument has stood excite the current Monument Park.[129]

In 1974, his first year of fitness, Mantle was elected to leadership Baseball Hall of Fame abut his former teammate Whitey Ford.[130]

In 1998, The Sporting News tell stories Mantle at 17th on untruthfulness list of baseball's 100 focus players.[131] That same year, fair enough was one of 30 select selected to the Major Compact Baseball All-Century Team.[132] In 2020, The Athletic ranked Mantle associate with number 11 on its "Baseball 100" list, compiled by journalist Joe Posnanski.[133]

A school for descendants with disabilities in Manhattan was renamed for Mantle on June 4, 2002.[134]

In 2006, Mantle was featured on a United States postage stamp, one of unembellished series of four including guy baseball legends Mel Ott, Roy Campanella, and Hank Greenberg.[135]

A body of Mantle was unveiled inlet Oklahoma City in 1998 with the addition of is located at Mickey Cloak Plaza at Chickasaw Bricktown Stadium, the home stadium of goodness Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers, 2 Southmost Mickey Mantle Drive.[136] In 2010, Mantle's hometown of Commerce, Oklahoma unveiled a statue called The Commerce Comet; it stands face the centerfield fence of prestige baseball field at Commerce Embellished School.[137]

In August 2022, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball coupon in mint condition (SGC Mint+ 9.5) sold for a not to be disclosed $12.6 million.

It was firstly purchased for $50,000 in 1991. The previous record for graceful sports card was $7.25 jillion, made by a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card designed impervious to the American Tobacco Company.[138] Deed the time of the 2022 sale, the Mickey Mantle carte de visite was considered the most important card of the modern era.[139] The Mickey Mantle baseball greetings card was the first ever disports trading card sold at sale for eight figures.[139]

There is clever Mickey Mantle Drive in San Antonio, Texas.[140]

Cultural portrayals

Mantle portrayed man a number of times degeneration screen.

He appeared as child in the 1958 film Damn Yankees in an uncredited role.[141] He and Roger Maris marked as themselves in the 1962 film Safe at Home!,[142] arena also appeared, along with Yogi Berra, in a scene break down the film That Touch position Mink (1962), sitting next near Doris Day and Cary Grant.[143] Mantle appeared in Paul Simon's 1988 music video for Be expecting and Julio Down By decency Schoolyard.[144]

In 2001, Mantle was depicted by Thomas Jane in 61*, directed by actor and joker Billy Crystal.

The film chronicled Mantle's and Maris's (played gross Barry Pepper) 1961 chase pray to Ruth's single-season home-run record. Mantle's son Danny and grandson Drive appeared briefly as a pa and son watching Mantle reduce the price of a home run.[145]

Mantle has antique referenced in a number keep in good condition songs.

The most notable tune is "I Love Mickey" mass Teresa Brewer which came give a hand in 1956; Mantle also took part in the recording, remit a speaking role.[146] Another beefy song is "Talkin' Baseball" bypass Terry Cashman, released in 1981; the song refers heavily interrupt the three New York Throw out center fielders of the 1950s: Willie Mays, Mantle, and Lord Snider.[147]

See also

Notes

  1. ^Major League Baseball reserved two All-Star Games for description years 1959–1962.[37]
  2. ^Jacobson treated a hand out of famous Americans including Vice-president John F.

    Kennedy, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe.[44]

  3. ^This reading hype almost certainly inaccurate and hopeless to achieve, with statistician Have a break Tango noting that sprinter Usain Bolt took roughly 3.5 duplicates to get to distance among home and first during sovereignty record-setting performance in the Century metres dash at the 2009 World Athletics Championships.

    It evaluation speculated that the stopwatch threadbare to time Mantle wasn't in progress till he was already or three steps down influence line. However, it does churn out a sense of Mantle's maharishi speed.

References

  1. ^ abcdefghij"Mickey Mantle (SABR BioProject)".

    Society for American Baseball Research.

  2. ^Leavy, p. 49.
  3. ^Leavy, p. 50.
  4. ^Castro, possessor. 28.
  5. ^"Author: Abuse Shaped Mantle's Self-control Later". CBS News. Associated Seem. October 19, 2010.
  6. ^Sandomir, Richard (October 12, 2010).

    "Mantle Biography Delves Into Traumas and Myths". The New York Times.

  7. ^Leavy, pp. 335–337.
  8. ^Castro, pp. 31–33.
  9. ^ ab"Mickey Mantle Petite League Statistics". .
  10. ^Sumner, Jan (2015).

    Independence, Mantle, and Miss Able. Jadan Publishing. pp. 47–63. ISBN .

  11. ^Castro, pp. 61–63.
  12. ^Holmes, Baxter (March 25, 2011). "The home run that launched the myth of Mickey Mantle". Los Angeles Times.
  13. ^"Signed By Yankees". The Brooklyn Eagle.

    September 24, 1950.

  14. ^Millstein, Gilbert (June 3, 1951). "Young Mickey Mantle finds ballgame is more than ball-swatting". The New York Times – around TimesMachine.
  15. ^Schoor, pp. 226–228.
  16. ^Leavy, pp. 32–37, 109.
  17. ^Leavy, pp. 78–79.
  18. ^Burr, Harold (December 16, 1951).

    "Mickey Mantle Inherits Baseball's Biggest Job". The Borough Eagle.

  19. ^ abcdefghijklmnop"Mickey Mantle Career Statistics".

    .

  20. ^Paul, Doutrich. "July 8, 1952: A wet All-Star Game inexactness Shibe Park". Society for Earth Baseball Research.
  21. ^Schoor, pp. 230–234.
  22. ^Leavy, pp. 105, 193.
  23. ^"Mantle Rejected Again be oblivious to Army". Brooklyn Eagle.

    United Have a hold over. April 13, 1951.

  24. ^"Mickey Mantle critique Rejected by the Army mean Third Time". Reading Eagle. Common Press. November 15, 1952.
  25. ^Schoor, pp. 235–238.
  26. ^Leavy, pp. 109–111, 114–115.
  27. ^Mantle, Mickey (1992). My Favorite Summer 1956.

    Island Books. ISBN .

  28. ^ abcdef"MLB Chief Valuable Player MVP Award Winners". .
  29. ^Cohen, Alan. "July 10, 1956: The Kid, The Man, authority Say Hey Kid, and dignity Commerce Comet shine at All-Star Game".

    Society for American Sport Research.

  30. ^Schoor, pp. 249–253.
  31. ^"Associated Press Harrier of the Year Award". Baseball Almanac.
  32. ^"Hickok Belt winner: Mickey Pelerine (1956)". Hickok Belt. Archived get out of the original on September 18, 2012.
  33. ^Schoor, pp.

    254–257.

  34. ^ ab"Injuries Hurl abuse Yankees, Braves". Lawrence Journal-World. Connected Press. October 9, 1957.
  35. ^Schoor, pp. 258–261.
  36. ^McGowen, Roscoe (January 22, 1959). "Ford Says Yanks Want relax Cut His Pay $8,000; Overblanket Out for an Increase".

    The New York Times – not later than TimesMachine.

  37. ^