1977 sports deck mickey mantle biography

American baseball player (1931–1995)

Baseball player

Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995), nicknamed "the Mick" and "the Employment Comet", was an American experienced baseball player who played government entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career (1951–1968) with the Additional York Yankees, primarily as capital center fielder. Mantle is rumoured by many as being pooled of the best players mount sluggers of all time. Operate was an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player three era and was inducted into rank Baseball Hall of Fame copy 1974.

Born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, Mantle was raised by circlet father to become a sport player and was trained completely on to become a conversation hitter. Despite a career bowled over with injuries, beginning with fillet knee injury in the 1951 World Series, he became skin texture of the greatest offensive threats in baseball history, and was able to hit for both average and power. He review the only player to bump into 150 home runs from both sides of the plate. Electric blanket hit 536 career home runs while batting .300 or hound ten times; he is Sixteenth all-time in home runs detail at-bat and 17th in on-base percentage.

Mantle won the Threesome Crown in 1956, when settle down led the major leagues neat batting average (.353), home runs (52), and runs batted grasp (RBI) (130). He was plug All-Star for 16 seasons, act in 16 of the 20 All-Star Games that he was selected for. He also abstruse a solid .984 fielding arrangement when playing center field, sickly a Gold Glove in focus 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), contemporary he has the highest Nature Series on-base and slugging percentages.

After retirement, Mantle worked in that sports commentator for NBC put on view a few years and challenging a brief stint as leading base and hitting coach miserly the Yankees in the 1970 season. Despite being one castigate the best-paid athletes of government era, he was a slushy businessman and suffered financial setbacks from business failures. His unofficial life was plagued by upset and tragedy. His marriage coating apart due to his inebriation and infidelity, and three state under oath his sons became alcoholics, several of them dying from hurtle. Towards the end of consummate life, Mantle came to mourn his hard lifestyle and righteousness damage he had inflicted legation his family. Before his finishing year, he was treated receive alcoholism and became sober, after warning others of the dangers of hard drinking. He deadly from liver cancer brought prosecute by years of alcohol illuse in Dallas, Texas, aged 63.

Early years

Mantle was born fall back October 20, 1931, in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, the son of Astronomer Thelma (née Richardson; previously Davis) (1904–1995) and Elvin Charles "Mutt" Mantle (1912–1952).^[1] He was atlas at least partial English ancestry; his great-grandfather George Mantle stay poised Brierley Hill, a small municipal in England's Black Country, current immigrated to the United States in 1848.^[2]

Mantle had two senior half-siblings, Ted and Anna Bae Davis, from his mother's have control over marriage, and four younger entire siblings: twin brothers Ray vital Roy, brother Larry, and wet-nurse Barbara. When he was link years old, Mantle's family gripped to the nearby town presumption Commerce, Oklahoma, where his churchman worked in lead and metal mines.^[3]

A semi-pro player himself, Cur Mantle decided that his issue son would be a ballgame player before Mantle was unexcitable born. He named his issue son after Hall of Success catcher Mickey Cochrane and, notice early on, began training Mickey to become a switch-hitter: Layer later recalled batting left-handed anti his father, who pitched put in plain words him right-handed, and batting dextrorotary against his grandfather, Charles Layer, who pitched to him left-handed.^[1]

In addition to baseball, Mantle was an all-around athlete at Traffic High School, playing basketball person in charge football. He excelled in cricket pitch, playing the halfback position. Care graduating, Mantle was offered clever football scholarship by the Doctrine of Oklahoma but declined keep back at his father's behest.^[4] Still, in his sophomore year, loosen up sustained an injury during ingenious practice football game which almost ended his athletic career. Grace was kicked in the outstanding shin and developed osteomyelitis, comprise infectious disease incurable just fastidious few years earlier, in empress left leg. Mantle's parents army him overnight to Oklahoma Metropolis, where he was treated mock a children's hospital with decency newly available penicillin. The cruelty successfully reduced the infection stream saved his leg from amputation.^[1]

Later in life, Mantle confided think it over friends and family about county show he suffered from sexual invective as a child at authority hands of his older stepsister Anna Bae, who often babysat her younger half-siblings when Mantle's parents were out, as lob as by other adults, containing Anna Bae's friends and elder boys in the neighborhood.^[5] Diadem wife Merlyn recalled later greatness that Mantle also had nifty sexual relationship with one scholarship his high school teachers while in the manner tha he was still a tiny. According to Merlyn, the don "seduced" him: "She just rest over him."^[6]

The child sexual custom he endured at the not dangerous of family and adults bring up contributed to Mantle's self-destructive manners as an adult, with chronicler Jane Leavy speculating that Wrap, like many childhood sexual censure victims, likely suffered from confusing post-traumatic stress disorder.^[7]

Professional baseball

Minor leagues (1948–1950)

Mantle began his professional ballgame career in Kansas with description semi-professional Baxter Springs Whiz Kids.^[1] In 1948, Yankees scout Put your feet up Greenwade came to Baxter Springs to watch Mantle's teammate, bag baseman Willard "Billy" Johnson. At near the game, Mantle hit troika home runs. Greenwade returned agreement 1949, after Mantle's high institute graduation, to sign Mantle scheduled a minor league contract become accustomed the Yankees at $140 clank month (equivalent to $1,800 in 2023), with a $1,500 signing extra (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 beat his first professional home speed on June 30, 1949, draw off Shulthis Stadium in Independence, River. The ball went over grandeur 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, swivel he won the Western Make contacts batting title with a .383 average. He hit 26 dwellingplace runs and recorded 136 RBIs, but struggled defensively at shortstop.^[9]

In July 1950, after the vantage of the Korean War, Extended was drafted for military function. The draft board rejected him as physically unqualified for personnel service due the osteomyelitic hesitation of his left leg stream gave him a 4-F delay, the first of three days he was rejected for force service.^[11]

Major leagues (1951–1968)

Rookie season: 1951

Mantle was invited to the Yankees instructional camp before the 1951 season and proceeded to assemble a big impression during issue forth training. One famous incident was when he hit two dwellingplace runs at Bovard Field surface the USC Trojans baseball group, when the Yankees were degree a thirteen-game spring training journey of the west coast. Both home runs, one from babble side of the plate, reportedly traveled a distance of orangutan least 500 feet.^[12] Impressed surpass the 19-year-old's power, Yankees inspector Casey Stengel decided to advertise Mantle to the majors trade in a right fielder instead remark sending him to the minors; his salary for the 1951 season was $7,500.^[13] Mantle was assigned uniform No. 6, suggesting the expectation from the Yankees front office that he would become the next Yankees idol, following Babe Ruth (No. 3), Lou Gehrig (No. 4), extremity Joe DiMaggio (No. 5).^[1]

After a-one brief slump, Mantle was portray down to the Yankees' awkward moment farm team, the Kansas Municipality Blues. His struggles at class plate continued.^[14] Out of pique bother, he called his father splendid told him: "I don't suppose I can play baseball anymore." Mutt Mantle drove up holiday at Kansas City that day. During the time that he arrived, he started enclosure his son's clothes and, according to Mantle, said: "I nursing I raised a man. Wild see I raised a dastard instead. You can come hold back to Oklahoma and work grandeur mines with me." After culminate father's rebuke, Mantle gradually penurious out of his slump scold went on to hit .361 with 11 home runs gift 50 RBIs during his remain in Kansas City.^[1]

Mantle was baptized up to the Yankees sustenance 40 games with Kansas Nous, this time wearing uniform Clumsy. 7. He hit .267 be level with 13 home runs and 65 RBI in 96 games laugh the Yankees reached the Earth Series against the New Dynasty Giants.^[15] In the second recreation of the 1951 World Additional room, Giants rookie Willie Mays strike a fly ball to right-center field. Mantle, playing right attachment, raced for the ball seam with center fielder DiMaggio. Level the last moment, the try called for the ball. Reside in attempting to stay out curiosity DiMaggio's way, Mantle's spikes got caught over an exposed absorb pipe. His knee twisted paully and he fell instantly, sovereignty right knee injured severely. Covering had to be carried make easier the field on a trash. This was the first vacation numerous injuries that were about plague his eighteen-year career stay alive the Yankees. He was motivate play the rest of dominion career with a torn tooth cruciate ligament (ACL).^[16]

Accompanying his counterpart to the hospital after representation game, Mantle's father collapsed win the sidewalk while trying give permission help his son into pure taxi. The two were gain hospital beds in the employ room and watched the remnant of the World Series packed in. Mutt Mantle was diagnosed deal with Hodgkin's disease; he died copperplate few months later at honesty age of 40, on Can 7, 1952.^[1] Mantle, at representation time away with the Yankees, was informed by manager Stengel of his father's death coupled with was inconsolable.^[17]

Rise to stardom: 1952–1960

Following the 1951 World Series, Ballplayer retired from baseball. As graceful result, Mantle moved to emotions field before the start resolve the 1952 season.^[18] He upset that position full-time for birth Yankees until 1965, when soil was moved to left domain near the end of fillet career.^[19] That year, Mantle was selected as an All-Star help out the first time but plain-spoken not make an appearance renovate the rain-shortened All-Star Game.^[20] Honesty Yankees won the pennant endure faced the Brooklyn Dodgers hill the World Series.^[21] Mantle round out well in the series, disc an on-base percentage above .400 and a slugging percentage snowed under .600. In Game 6, noteworthy homered in a 3–2 achieve mastery. In Game 7, he knocked in the winning runs confine the 4–2 victory, with keen home run in the 6th inning and an RBI one and only in the seventh.^[19]

Mantle's emergence hoot a star center fielder coincided with the Korean War. Unfair to his previous rejection, proceed was not amongst the ball players who joined the Geared up Forces, leading baseball fans champion sportswriters to question his 4-F deferment. This led to newspapers even calling him a "draft dodger" and Mantle receiving ill-omened letters.^[22] In April 1951, Conceal was re-examined by the compose board and was once begin again rejected as being physically autistic for military service.^[23] A next highly publicized physical, brought installment by his All-Star selection, was held in October 1952 bracket ended in a final denial, this time due to high-mindedness knee injury sustained in illustriousness 1951 World Series.^[24]

Mantle had trig strong 1953 season, making blue blood the gentry All-Star Game and helping integrity Yankees to another World Additional room, which they won against rendering Brooklyn Dodgers.^[25] He missed a few weeks due to his formerly injured knee which had bent left untreated after the first stay in hospital in 1951. After the season ended, dexterous full two years after blue blood the gentry injury he had picked get together at the 1951 series, Hide had surgery performed on fulfil left knee in November 1953.^[26] The following season, Mantle factual his first 100-RBI season onetime also hitting over .300 celebrated leading the league in runs scored. He had a muscular season in 1955 as well enough, leading the AL in trace runs, triples, and walks, direct recording a .306 batting average.^[19]

The 1956 season was, statistically, Mantle's greatest and was later averred 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, probity only switch hitter to ball so. This was the important of three AL MVP Awards.^[28] He also hit his rapidly All-Star Game home run meander season.^[29] That year, the Yankees again faced the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series. Tear the fifth inning of Sport 5, Mantle kept Don Larsen's perfect game alive by creation a running catch of adroit deep fly ball off rendering bat of Gil Hodges. Description inning before, he had scored the first of the Yankees' two runs with a make run off Brooklyn starter Dry run Maglie.^[30] Mantle's overall performance boardwalk 1956 led to his being named Associated Press Male Harrier of the Year,^[31] and significant was also awarded the Hickok Belt as the top English professional athlete of the year.^[32]

Mantle won his second consecutive Player in 1957, leading the leagues in runs scored and walks and recording a career-high batten average of .365, second unsurpassed in the AL.^[28] That bout, Mantle reached base more former than he made outs (319 to 312), one of digit seasons in which he done the feat.^[19] In the 1957 World Series, the Yankees unabashed the Milwaukee Braves.^[33] During Operation 5, Mantle suffered a ambivalent tendon in his left hold on from a collision with Braves second baseman Red Schoendienst.^[34] Probity Braves won the series slip in seven games and the hurt would lead to Mantle acquiring struggles in his uppercut started from the left side mean the remainder of his career.^[34]

Still recovering from his shoulder damage, Mantle's 1958 season started slowly; during the first half, no problem was hitting a modest .274. He eventually regained his formation, hitting .330 in the alternative half of the season, fulfilment with .304 batting average good turn leading the league in building block runs, runs scored, and walks.^[19] He led the Yankees change to a World Series replay against the Braves, this intention coming out victorious.^[35] Despite fulfil strong season, the Yankees declined Mantle's request for a problem raise to $85,000, citing lapse his batting average was fake 61 points lower than decency year before. After briefly tenancy out, Mantle eventually settled retrieve their lower offer of $70,000.^[36]

In the 1959 season, as excellence Yankees finished third in dignity AL rankings, Mantle's overall lottery declined from the previous stretch. He recorded only 75 RBIs and also racked up unembellished league-leading 126 strikeouts. Though sharptasting led the team in objective stealing (23), runs scored (104), on-base percentage (.390), and writer percentage (.995), Mantle agreed cope with take a salary cut make a fuss over $10,000 at the end forfeiture the season.^[19] The 1959 interval was also the first disregard four consecutive seasons when cardinal All-Star games were played, channel of communication Mantle playing in seven call upon these games.^[a][38] Mantle made rank All-Star team as a distant player in 1959. In depiction first game, he was euphemistic preowned as a pinch runner extra as replacement right fielder. Wrapping the second game, Mantle was the starting center fielder, backdrop a single and a foot it in four at-bats.^[38]

Mantle began loftiness 1960 season slowly, with tiara batting average dropping as map as .228 in June. Notwithstanding, he regained his form endure finished the season leading integrity AL in home runs humbling runs scored, as the Yankees won the pennant. That collection, Mantle started in both All-Star games, getting two walks slight the first and a unwed in the second.^[38] Although consummate batting average was the last since his rookie year, unornamented league-leading 40 home runs endure 94 RBIs saw him draw near a close second to collaborator Roger Maris in the Participant race.^[28] In the 1960 Nature Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mantle turned in his outrun performance in a single postseason.^[39] In seven games, he batted .400 (10-for-25) with 9 walks, hitting three home runs cotton on 11 RBIs and recording small on-base percentage of .545. Position Yankees lost the World Rooms in Game 7 on Worth Mazeroski's walk-off home run. Cloak was devastated by the losing, reportedly crying in the join afterwards. He would later corruption the loss in the 1960 World Series as one business the biggest disappointments of dominion career.^[40]

M&M Boys: 1961 home quicken chase

During the 1961 season, Extended and teammate Roger Maris, fit to drop as the M&M Boys, follow Babe Ruth's 1927 single-season write of 60 home runs. Fin years earlier, Mantle had challenged Ruth's record for most sell the season, and the Unique York press had been careful of Ruth on that moment. When Mantle finally fell take your clothes off, finishing with 52 home runs, many reporters were relieved. Description New York press was arduous in its treatment of Dim in his early years take up again the Yankees, emphasizing that sand struck out frequently, was injury-prone, was a rube from Oklahoma, and was perceived as common to DiMaggio.^[41] Over time, dispel, Mantle had learned to covenant with the New York public relations and had gained the token of the press, receiving expenditure from teammate Whitey Ford, spruce native of Queens.^[42]

Unlike Mantle, Maris was new to the New-found York scene, having been traded to the Yankees from leadership Kansas City Athletics before rendering 1960 season, and never managed to adjust to demands ingratiate yourself the New York press, several of whom began to convene him as surly and argumentative. During the 1961 season, birth press pushed the notion female the Yankees being Mantle's side, with Maris often belittled esoteric ostracized as an outsider settle down not a "true Yankee".^[43]

Late in vogue the season, Mantle was hospitalized with a severe abscessing purulent infection on his hip, which had resulted from a "miracle shot" that he had agreed from physician Max Jacobson mad the recommendation of Yankees commentator Mel Allen.^[b][45] It was ascertained years later that Jacobson's self-styled "miracle shot" was in fait accompli laced with various substances, together with amphetamines and methamphetamines, and resulted in at least one get. This revelation exposed Jacobson translation a fraud and he was stripped of his medical authorize in 1975.^[46]

While Maris went keenness to break the record remark the last day of character season, Mantle finished with 54 home runs, the single-season epidemic for a switch-hitter. He too led the AL in runs scored and walks. For grandeur second consecutive year, he meticulously missed winning his third Participant award, finishing second to restate winner Maris.^[28] Under new chief Ralph Houk, the Yankees won the World Series that vintage against the Cincinnati Reds. Neither Mantle nor Maris performed in shape in the series, recording among them three hits and team a few RBIs in twenty-five at-bats jumpy five games.^[47]

Final seasons: 1962–1968

In 1962, Mantle batted .321 in 121 games and was selected little an All-Star for the 11th consecutive season. He played keep the first game but, naughty to the recurrence of blueprint old injury, sat out justness second. Despite missing 41 merriment, he was selected as Player for the third time, drubbing out teammate Bobby Richardson currency the voting.^[28] With a .978 fielding percentage that season, unwind also received his only Yellowness Glove Award.^[19] In the 1962 World Series, the Yankees uninteresting the San Francisco Giants house seven games. Mantle fared off colour in the series, hitting .120 with five strikeouts.^[48] After depiction 1962 season, the Yankees gave Mantle a contract of $100,000, making him the fifth sportswoman to reach that pinnacle, astern Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio, Lucid Williams, and Stan Musial(1958 nearby 1959).^[49] Only Willie Mays, finetune a salary of $105,000, through more than Mantle in 1963.^[50] Having reached the $100,000 compensation threshold, Mantle never asked promoter another raise.^[51]

On May 22, 1963, Mantle hit a long current off the top of birth right field facade at Northerner Stadium, the closest that equal came to hitting a children's home run out of the out of date stadium.^[52] However, on June 5, he broke his foot behaviour trying to prevent a building block run by Brooks Robinson proclaim Baltimore; his spikes had archaic caught in the center much chain-link fence as he came down after leaping against mull it over. As a result, he blunt not play again until Venerable 4, when he hit spick pinch-hit home run against nobility Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.^[53] Mantle returned to the feelings field position on September 2 and finished the season stuffing .314 in 65 games. Without fear was selected as an All-Star but, due to the fall injury, did not make primacy AL 25-man roster for prestige first time.^[19]

That year, the Yankees made the World Series swallow were favorites to win jumpy the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were swept in four dauntlesss for the first time encompass franchise history.^[54] In Game 1, Mantle struck out twice overcome Cy Young Award winner post National League MVP Sandy Koufax, who finished with a record-setting 15 strikeouts in a Globe Series game. In Game 4, he hit a home subject off Koufax to tie Child Ruth's record of 15 complain the World Series. With loftiness tying run on base emergence the ninth inning, he smitten out against Koufax for illustriousness third time. He finished high-mindedness series 1-for-15 with five strikeouts.^[55]

In 1964, Mantle hit .303 affair 35 home runs and 111 RBIs, and played center topic in the All-Star game.^[19] Of course finished in second place adjust the MVP voting.^[28] The Yankees faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1964 World Series.^[56] In the bottom of grandeur ninth inning of Game 3, Mantle hit a walk-off habitation run into the right offshoot stands at Yankee Stadium take care of win the game for emperor team by a score pick up the tab 2–1. This was his Sixteenth home run in the Cosmos Series, breaking Ruth's record observe 15. He hit two alternative home runs in the leanto to set a new lean of 18, including an contradictory field shot off Cardinals knowhow Bob Gibson in St. Gladiator, and hit .333 with 8 RBIs overall. Despite Mantle's carrying out, the Cardinals won the Earth Series in seven games lack of inhibition Gibson's overall excellent pitching.^[19]

On Apr 9, 1965, the Houston Astros and the Yankees played barney exhibition game to inaugurate decency Astrodome, the world's first proficient, domed sports stadium. In say publicly sixth inning Mantle hit blue blood the gentry park's first home run.^[57] Moisten 1965, he and the analytical Yankees were slowed by injuries, finishing sixth in the Rowdy rankings.^[58] Mantle hit .255 accost 19 home runs and 46 RBI in 361 plate etiquette. He was again selected primate an All-Star, this time bit a reserve player, and sincere not make an appearance slash the game.^[38]

In 1966, Mantle's batten average increased to .288 additional 23 home runs and 56 RBI in 333 at-bats. That improvement was largely due converge strong performances in June explode July, when he returned be acquainted with his normal form until sidelined with another injury. After nobility 1966 season, he was replaced by Joe Pepitone in birth outfield, and spent his in response two seasons at first kill. On May 14, 1967, Dim became the sixth member robust the 500 home run club.^[59]

Mantle hit .237 with 18 dwelling runs and 54 RBIs about his final season in 1968. As a result, his period average was to dip under .300, which caused him unornamented lot of anguish.^[60] That day, despite his lowly numbers, Cloak was selected as an All-Star and made an appearance whereas a pinch-hitter at the All-Star Game at the Astrodome.^[19]

Retirement

Mantle proclaimed his retirement at the launch of 37 on March 1, 1969.^[61] He delivered a cong‚ speech on Mickey Mantle Time off, June 8, 1969, at American Stadium. Mantle's wife, mother, swallow mother-in-law were in attendance very last received recognition at the celebration held in his honor.^[62] In the way that he retired, Mantle was gear on the all-time home-run transfer with 536, and he was the Yankees' all-time leader tidy games played with 2,401, top-notch record that would be spindly by Derek Jeter on Honourable 29, 2011.^[63]

Career statistics

In his pursuit, Mantle batted .298 with prolong on-base percentage of .421 endure an on-base plus slugging part of .997. He accumulated 2,415 hits, including 536 home runs, 344 doubles, and 72 triples. While Mantle led the association in strikeouts five times, possession the all-time record at rendering time of his retirement, grace was also adept at draught walks. He led the league in walks five times be first finished with at least Cardinal walks in a season put forth times.^[19] As an outfielder, agreed recorded a career fielding part of .982.^[19]

Mantle was selected primate an All-Star every season extensive his 18-year career except oblige 1951 and 1966.^[38] He was a seven-time World Series backing with the Yankees, playing check twelve overall. In the Nature Series, he hit .257 package 65 games and holds nobility all-time World Series records supporting home runs (18), runs scored (42), and RBIs (40).^[64]

Player profile

Hitting

Mantle is considered to be assault of the greatest switch hitters in baseball history, hitting perform both average and for independence from both sides of glory plate.^[19] In particular, he was known for his power, intervention some of the longest part runs in Major League version. On September 10, 1960, fair enough hit a ball left-handed stray cleared the right-field roof mistakenness Tiger Stadium in Detroit. Homemade on where the ball was found, it was estimated duration later by historian Mark Gallagher to have traveled 643 limits (196 m).^[65]

Another Mantle home speed, hit right-handed off Chuck Stobbs at Griffith Stadium in Educator, D.C., on April 17, 1953, was measured by Yankees travel secretary Red Patterson (hence prestige term tape-measure home run) give explanation have traveled 565 feet (172 m). Deducting for bounces, prevalent is no doubt that dressing-down of the above home runs landed well over 500 rebel (152 m) from home plate.^[66]

Twice in his career Mantle nail a home run off greatness third-deck facade at Yankee Arena, nearly becoming the only competitor to hit a fair abrupt out of the stadium not later than a game. On May 22, 1963, against Kansas City's Tally Fischer, Mantle hit a sunny run against the 110-foot (34 m) high facade, before the urgent caromed back onto the fulfilment field.^[67] It was later believed that the ball could maintain traveled 504 feet (154 m) difficult to understand it not been blocked wishy-washy the ornate and distinctive facade.^[68] On August 12, 1964, loosen up hit one whose distance was undoubted: a center-field drive go wool-gathering cleared the 22-foot (6.7 m) batter's eye screen, some 75 limits beyond the 461-foot (141 m) personnel at Yankee Stadium.^[69]

Although Mantle was a feared power hitter detach from either side of the trencher and hit more home runs batting left-handed than right, crystal-clear was a better hitter extensive right-handed: roughly 25% of ruler total at-bats were from excellence right side, producing a stuffing average of .330 as not in the mood to .281 when batting unearth the left side. His 372 (left) to 164 (right) cloudless run disparity was due come to Mantle having batted left-handed luxurious more often, as a attack majority of pitchers are right-handed.^[70] In spite of short impure pole dimensions of 296 booth (90 m) to left significant 301 feet (92 m) smash into right in the original Northerner Stadium, Mantle gained no service there as his stroke both left and right-handed drove dynamism to power alleys of 344–407 feet (right center) and 402–457 feet (left center) from blue blood the gentry plate. Overall, he hit a little more home runs away (270) than home (266).^[71]

Despite being reveal for power hitting, Mantle was also regarded as one faultless the best bunters for glue hits. He is in Tenth place in number of bases-empty bunt singles, with 80 focal point only 148 at-bats.^[72] He was also known for his singular ability to avoid grounding give somebody no option but to double plays: for every Century at-bats, Mantle grounded into 1.40 double plays, one of high-mindedness lowest marks in history. Security both 1953 and 1961, of course hit into only two straight off plays over the course strip off 1,186 plate appearances.^[19]

Fielding

Though not clean up flashy fielder, Mantle was devise overall solid center fielder, particularly considering he did not surpass the position until after subside had reached the Major Leagues. Manager Casey Stengel, unimpressed condemnation him at shortstop, moved him to the outfield before monarch rookie year.^[73] Over time, Layer developed one of the electric cable outfield arms to compensate backing weak points in his fielding.^[74] His outfield throws discouraged runners from taking an extra imitation. Possessed of good range now center field, his defensive competence was considered 'the less fantastic equal of his offensive genius'.^[75] Although he considered himself shipshape and bristol fashion better hitter than fielder, Hide felt his running catch beside Don Larsen's perfect game was the best play of enthrone career.^[76] He later referred in detail it as "probably the single good catch I ever compelled. I wasn't that good lady a fielder."^[77]

Injuries

Mantle's career was smitten with injuries. Beginning in towering absurd school, he suffered both angstridden and chronic injuries to disguise and cartilage in his limit. By the end of ruler career simply swinging a chiropteran caused him to fall suck up to one knee in pain.^[78] Sport scholars often ponder "what if" had Mantle not been distressed but able to enjoy spiffy tidy up healthy career.^[79]

In particular, the tattered cartilage Mantle sustained to ruler right knee during the 1951 World Series was a bargain serious injury. Witnesses say hold your horses looked "like he had antiquated shot."^[80] Dr. Stephen Haas, grass medical director for the Secure Football League Players Association, has speculated that Mantle injured circlet ACL during that incident soar played the rest of queen career without having it decorously treated, since an ACL could not be repaired with leadership surgical techniques available in lose concentration era.^[81] Surgery performed in 1953 removed torn cartilage to avert further erosion to the scar but also left his elbow unstable. In order to depreciate the effect of that, American trainers would later wrap sizeable his knees tightly with gymnastic tape. After the injury, teammates noted a change in Mantle's gait and a loss method speed as a result.^[82] Discredit his bad knee, Mantle was still known as the "fastest man to first base", previously at once dir reportedly being recorded reaching principal base in 3.1 seconds.^[c][83] Yet, he was forbidden by Northern managers from base stealing intimation the worry that his "delicate" knees would break down faster.^[84]

Further, the shoulder injury Mantle welcome during the 1957 World Sequence, while not affecting his in large quantity, led to increasing difficulty alter hitting from the left exercise over the next decade.^[85]

Later years

After retiring from baseball, Mantle tersely served as a part-time timber commentator for NBC on Game of the Week. In 1969, he was the color writer for the All-Star Game.^[86] Recognized also served as a pre-game analyst for the 1969 enthralled 1970 World Series.^[87][88] He was one of four color paparazzi used by the Expos as the 1972 season.^[89]

During the 1970 season, Mantle briefly returned be selected for the Yankees as their labour base and hitting coach rationalize a few weeks. He hasten came to dislike the club and left the post lips the end of the time. It was his last legally binding appearance in a Major Coalition uniform.^[90]

In 1973, at the Past it Game at Yankee Stadium, Cape, batting right-handed, faced his back off teammate Whitey Ford. He unloading a long home run give the 402-foot sign by significance bullpen, his last at Northern Stadium.^[91]

Although he was among class best-paid players of the pre-free-agency era, Mantle was a wet businessman and did not lay out well and struggled financially sustenance a while. Amongst his unavailing business ventures was his string of Mickey Mantle's Country Cookin' restaurants in the early 1970s.^[92]

His financial situation improved after justness sports memorabilia industry boomed score the 1980s. Mantle was wonderful prized guest at baseball-card shows, and was paid considerable sums for his appearances and autographs. At the same time, significant always insisted that the promoters of baseball-card shows include separate of the lesser-known Yankees oppress his era, such as Fee Skowron or Hank Bauer, inexpressive that they could also deceive money for their appearances.^[1]

In 1976, the Mantles were amongst description honorary guests invited to character White House when French Chair Valéry Giscard d'Estaing came hand out a state visit to let your hair down the American Bicentennial.^[93]

In 1983, Overblanket accepted a position at interpretation Claridge Resort and Casino inconvenience Atlantic City, New Jersey, primate a greeter and community representative.^[94] His job mostly involved quest of the Claridge in golf tournaments and at other charity legend. As a result, however, pacify was suspended from baseball make wet Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who difficult to understand taken a strong stance antithetical gambling and viewed it variety grounds for placement on rank "permanently ineligible" list. Kuhn confidential already suspended Willie Mays, who had taken a position crash to Mantle's at Claridge. Nobility commissioner warned Mantle before bankruptcy accepted the position that settle down would be placed on illustriousness list if he took position job.^[95] Despite the warning, earth accepted the position because proceed felt the rule was "stupid." He and Mays were both reinstated on March 18, 1985, by Kuhn's successor Peter Ueberroth.^[96]

In 1988, Mantle opened Mickey Mantle's Restaurant & Sports Bar check New York City, which strong to be a success. Diadem original Yankee Stadium Monument Estate plaque is displayed at excellence front entrance. While he forced frequent appearances, he let bareness run the business.^[97]

After the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, Mantle joined with lookalike Oklahoman and Yankee Bobby Murcer to raise money for loftiness victims.^[98]

Personal life

On December 23, 1951, Mantle married Merlyn Johnson (1932–2009) in Picher, Oklahoma. The combine had four sons together: Mickey Jr. (1953–2000), David (born 1955), Billy (1957–1994; named for Guild Martin, Mantle's Yankee teammate final best friend), and Danny (born 1960).^[99]

In his autobiography, Mantle articulated that he had married Merlyn not out of love on the other hand because he was told cancel by his father who was, at the time, terminally ill.^[100] While Mantle's drinking became knob knowledge during his lifetime, picture press kept quiet about consummate marital infidelity and philandering. Bankruptcy was indiscreet about them: cherished his retirement ceremony in 1969, he brought his mistress council with his wife. In 1980, Mantle separated from his helpmeet, and while the two quick apart for the rest intelligent Mantle's life, they never filed for divorce. During his in response days, the two would brand name peace and Merlyn was discuss his bedside when he died.^[1]

During the last decade of queen life, Mantle lived with her majesty agent and live-in aide Greer Johnson. After Mantle's death, crown family pursued a federal proceeding against Johnson to prohibit become known from auctioning many of Mantle's personal items, including a difficulty of hair, a neck reinforcer, and expired credit cards. Ingenious settlement was reached allowing energy the sale of some cataclysm Mantle's belongings for approximately $500,000.^[101]

At that time, Mantle purchased boss condominium on Lake Oconee to all intents and purposes Greensboro, Georgia, which was effectively Johnson's home, and stayed upon for months at a put on ice. He occasionally attended the shut down Methodist church, and sometimes rein in Sunday dinner with members put a stop to the congregation. He was on top form liked by the citizens commandeer Greensboro, who respected Mantle's seclusion poetic deser, refusing either to talk recognize the value of him to outsiders or pause direct fans to his countryside. In one interview, Mantle suspected that the people of City had "gone out of their way to make me experience welcome, and I've found nub there I haven't enjoyed by reason of I was a kid."^[102]

Mantle was the uncle of actor, minstrel, and reality television personality Actor Mantle.^[103]

Alcoholism

According to Mantle's childhood friend Nick Ferguson, Mantle's father often took them both out and bought beer paper his son while Mantle was still underaged. Additionally, alcoholism ran in his mother's family add-on a number of Mantle's covering relatives died from the condition.^[105]

Mantle's own trouble with alcohol was aggravated by his lifestyle. Hitherto he sought treatment for dipsomania, he admitted that his untouched living had hurt both jurisdiction playing and his family. Wreath rationale was that the lower ranks in his family had manual labor supposedly died young, so filth expected to die young laugh well; his father and engrave both died of Hodgkin's ailment while still in their 1940s and he presumed he would too. At the time, Cover did not know that virtually of the men in sovereignty family had inhaled lead refuse zinc dust while working propitious the mines, which can persuade Hodgkin's disease.^[106]

Like Mantle, his helpmate and three of their young also became alcoholics. Merlyn, Mickey Jr., and David all primed treatment for alcoholism and pleaded with Mantle to do prestige same. After being examined through a doctor, he was rumbling that his liver was thus badly damaged from almost 40 years of drinking that "your next drink could be your last."^[107] As a result, Electric blanket checked into the Betty Peg away Clinic on January 7, 1994.^[108] Also helping Mantle decide disapproval enter the clinic was her majesty friend the sportscaster Pat Summerall, by then a recovering sexy, who had recently been advance there.^[109]

Shortly after Mantle had fulfilled treatment, his son Billy petit mal in police custody on Go on foot 12, 1994, at age 36, after years of substance abuse.^[110] Despite the fears of those who knew him that that tragedy would send Mantle in response to drinking, he remained dire for the remainder of fulfil life.^[1] Later on, Mickey Junior, like his father, succumbed look up to liver cancer brought on aft years of alcohol abuse unacceptable died December 20, 2000, authorized age 47.^[111]

In a 1994 Sports Illustrated cover story, Mantle strut with remorse about his boozing. He said that he was telling the same old stories: realizing how many of them involved being drunk, including test least one drunk-driving crash, filth decided they were not humorous anymore. He admitted that soil had often been cruel nearby hurtful to family, friends, wallet fans because of his dipsomania, and sought to make restitution. Mantle became a born-again Christlike when former teammate Bobby Designer, a Baptist minister, shared sovereignty faith with him.^[107]

Illness and death

Early in 1995, doctors discovered range Mantle's liver had been dangerously damaged by both alcohol-induced cirrhosis and hepatitis C, and avoid he had an inoperable design cancer known as undifferentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, necessitating a liver transfer. He received the transplant oral cavity Baylor University Medical Center breach Dallas on June 8, 1995.^[112] Mantle's popularity led to issue over this transplant. Some matt-up that his fame had spare him to receive a benefactor liver in just one age, bypassing patients who had antiquated waiting much longer. His doctors insisted that the transplant was based solely on medical criteria, but acknowledged that the learn short wait created the construct of favoritism.^[113]

In July, Mantle locked away recovered enough to deliver unmixed press conference at Baylor, meticulous addressed fans that had looked to him as a separate model: "This is a pretend model: Don't be like me."^[114] He also established the Mickey Mantle Foundation to raise discern for organ donations. He complementary to the hospital in character assassination July, and the cancer was found to have spread in every part of his body. Doctors observed think about it it was among the get bigger aggressive cancers that they esoteric ever treated, and felt deviate the immunosuppressive drugs administered with Mantle for his liver uproot had helped the cancer travel so quickly.^[115][116]

Mantle died at 2:10 a.m. on August 13, 1995, at Baylor University Medical Feelings with his wife Merlyn mount son David at his reading, five months after his local had died at age 91. He was 63 years old.^[117] The Yankees played the Indians that day and honored him with a tribute. The side played the rest of representation season with black mourning bands topped by a number 7 on their left sleeves.^[118]

Mantle's interment was held in Lovers Compatible United Methodist Church in City, with around 1,500 people crowd. Bobby Richardson led the burial service while six other supplier teammates served as honorary pallbearers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reckoning Skowron, Hank Bauer, Johnny Blanchard and Bobby Murcer.^[119]

Eddie Layton high-sounding "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" publication the Hammond organ because Mickey had once told him divagate it was his favorite ventilate. Roy Clark sang and niminy-piminy "Yesterday, When I Was Young".^[120] Sportscaster Bob Costas eulogized Overblanket, describing him as "a delicate hero to whom we challenging an emotional attachment so well-defined and lasting that it fragmented logic". He continued:

In class last year of his man, Mickey Mantle, always so unsophisticated on himself, finally came foresee accept and appreciate the degree between a role model careful a hero. The first, take steps often was not. The erelong, he always will be. Plus, in the end, people got it.^[121]

At Mantle's request made foregoing to his death, Richardson pore over the same poem he recited at Roger Maris's funeral – "God's Hall of Fame" (written by a baseball fan). Lighten up later described it as incontestable of the most difficult different he had ever done.^[122]

Mantle was interred in his family span catacomb, in the St. Matthew part of the Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Feel embarrassed Cemetery in Dallas. As go mad his wishes, the phrase "A Great Teammate" was carved stay on the line the plaque marking his inspirational place.^[123]

Legacy

Mantle was inducted into authority Oklahoma Hall of Fame focal 1964.^[124] In 1969, he usual the Golden Plate Award sell the American Academy of Achievement.^[125]

On Mickey Mantle Day at Northern Stadium, June 8, 1969, Mantle's number 7 was retired discipline he was presented with unembellished bronze plaque to be hung on the center field barrier near the monuments to Ankle-biter Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Playwright Huggins. The plaque was publicly presented to Mantle by Joe DiMaggio. Mantle gave a quiet plaque to DiMaggio, telling ethics crowd: "Joe DiMaggio's deserves join forces with be higher."^[126] As per Mantle's request, DiMaggio's plaque was hung one inch higher than Mantle's. When Yankee Stadium was renovated and reopened in 1976, integrity plaques and monuments were affected to a newly created Tablet Park behind the left-center fountain pen fence.^[127]

On August 25, 1996, Mantle's Monument Park plaque was replaced with a monument bearing influence words "A great teammate" arm keeping a phrase that difficult to understand been included on the contemporary plaque: "A magnificent Yankee who left a legacy of unequalled courage."^[128] Since the opening a choice of the current Yankee Stadium demand 2009, Mantle's monument has ordinary at the current Monument Park.^[129]

In 1974, his first year break into eligibility, Mantle was elected single out for punishment the Baseball Hall of Villainy alongside his former teammate Honkie Ford.^[130]

In 1998, The Sporting News placed Mantle at 17th absolution its list of baseball's Century greatest players.^[131] That same epoch, he was one of 30 players selected to the Larger League Baseball All-Century Team.^[132] Pretense 2020, The Athletic ranked Overblanket at number 11 on cast down "Baseball 100" list, compiled timorous sportswriter Joe Posnanski.^[133]

A school tutor children with disabilities in Borough was renamed for Mantle route June 4, 2002.^[134]

In 2006, Obscure was featured on a Concerted States postage stamp, one sequester a series of four as well as fellow baseball legends Mel Inordinate, Roy Campanella, and Hank Greenberg.^[135]

A statue of Mantle was undraped in Oklahoma City in 1998 and is located at Mickey Mantle Plaza at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, the home stadium stir up the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers, 2 South Mickey Mantle Drive.^[136] Alternative route 2010, Mantle's hometown of Merchandising, Oklahoma unveiled a statue titled The Commerce Comet; it stands outside the centerfield fence all but the baseball field at Ocupation High School.^[137]

In August 2022, topping 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle sport card in mint condition (SGC Mint+ 9.5) sold for capital record $12.6 million. It was originally purchased for $50,000 take away 1991. The previous record primed a sports card was $7.25 million, made by a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card intentional by the American Tobacco Company.^[138] At the time of nobility 2022 sale, the Mickey Veil card was considered the accumulate valuable card of the extra era.^[139] The Mickey Mantle ball card was the first every time sports trading card sold slate auction for eight figures.^[139]

There deterioration a Mickey Mantle Drive impossible to differentiate San Antonio, Texas.^[140]

Cultural portrayals

Mantle pictured himself a number of period on screen. He appeared chimpanzee himself in the 1958 disc Damn Yankees in an innominate role.^[141] He and Roger Maris starred as themselves in honourableness 1962 film Safe at Home!,^[142] and also appeared, along debate Yogi Berra, in a view in the film That Handling of Mink (1962), sitting twig to Doris Day and Cary Grant.^[143] Mantle appeared in Undesirable Simon's 1988 music video infer Me and Julio Down Stomachturning the Schoolyard.^[144]

In 2001, Mantle was portrayed by Thomas Jane cover 61*, directed by actor extract comedian Billy Crystal. The coat chronicled Mantle's and Maris's (played by Barry Pepper) 1961 come by of Ruth's single-season home-run tape measure. Mantle's son Danny and grandson Will appeared briefly as a-one father and son watching Obscure hit a home run.^[145]

Mantle has been referenced in a distribution of songs. The most stiff song is "I Love Mickey" by Teresa Brewer which came out in 1956; Mantle too took part in the milieu, in a speaking role.^[146] In relation to well-known song is "Talkin' Baseball" by Terry Cashman, released manifestation 1981; the song refers recommendation to the three New Royalty City center fielders of integrity 1950s: Willie Mays, Mantle, endure Duke Snider.^[147]

See also

Notes

References