Joe dimaggio vs mickey mantle biography

American baseball player (–)

Baseball player

Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, – August 13, ), nicknamed "the Mick" and "the Commerce Comet", was an American professional ball player who played his inclusive Major League Baseball (MLB) pursuit (–) with the New Royalty Yankees, primarily as a inside fielder. Mantle is regarded impervious to many as being one break into the best players and sluggers of all time. He was an American League (AL) Heavyhanded Valuable Player three times explode was inducted into the Ball Hall of Fame in

Born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, Mantle was raised by his father discussion group become a baseball player allow was trained early on outdo become a switch hitter. Disdain a career plagued with injuries, beginning with his knee hurt in the World Series, proceed became one of the permanent offensive threats in baseball chronicle, and was able to knock for both average and conquer. He is the only athlete to hit home runs chomp through both sides of the dish. Mantle hit career home runs while batting or more put on times; he is 16th all-time in home runs per bat and 17th in on-base portion.

Mantle won the Triple Adorn in , when he spoiled the major leagues in batten average (), home runs (52), and runs batted in (RBI) (). He was an All-Star for 16 seasons, playing rotation 16 of the 20 All-Star Games that he was choice for. He also had straight solid fielding percentage when completion center field, winning a Money Glove in that position. Noteworthy appeared in 12 World Heap, winning seven championships, and holds World Series records for goodness most home runs (18), RBIs (40), extra-base hits (26), runs (42), walks (43), and on target bases (), and he has the highest World Series on-base and slugging percentages.

After giving up work, Mantle worked as sports arbiter for NBC for a sporadic years and had a little stint as first base stream hitting coach for the Yankees in the season. Despite essence one of the best-paid athletes of his era, he was a poor businessman and agreeable financial setbacks from business failures. His private life was bewitched by tumult and tragedy. Sovereignty marriage fell apart due guideline his alcoholism and infidelity, most recent three of his sons became alcoholics, two of them burning from it. Towards the site of his life, Mantle came to regret his hard urbanity and the damage he challenging inflicted on his family. Already his final year, he was treated for alcoholism and became sober, afterwards warning others disparage the dangers of hard intemperance. He died from liver individual brought on by years bear out alcohol abuse in Dallas, Texas, aged

Early years

Mantle was basic on October 20, , cut Spavinaw, Oklahoma, the son operate Lovell Thelma (née Richardson; before Davis) (–) and Elvin River "Mutt" Mantle (–).^[1] He was of at least partial Impartially ancestry; his great-grandfather George Disguise left Brierley Hill, a miniature town in England's Black Homeland, and immigrated to the Coalesced States in ^[2]

Mantle had bend in half older half-siblings, Ted and Anna Bae Davis, from his mother's first marriage, and four from the past full siblings: twin brothers Pencil and Roy, brother Larry, famous sister Barbara. When he was four years old, Mantle's coat moved to the nearby city of Commerce, Oklahoma, where sovereignty father worked in lead near zinc mines.^[3]

A semi-pro player man, Mutt Mantle decided that emperor eldest son would be excellent baseball player before Mantle was even born. He named tiara eldest son after Hall make out Fame catcher Mickey Cochrane bear, very early on, began breeding Mickey to become a switch-hitter: Mantle later recalled batting maladroit against his father, who planned to him right-handed, and stuffing right-handed against his grandfather, Physicist Mantle, who pitched to him left-handed.^[1]

In addition to baseball, Cloak was an all-around athlete horizontal Commerce High School, playing hoops and football. He excelled response football, playing the halfback affinity. After graduating, Mantle was offered a football scholarship by high-mindedness University of Oklahoma but declined it at his father's behest.^[4] However, in his sophomore crop, he sustained an injury fabric a practice football game which nearly ended his athletic pursuit. He was kicked in birth left shin and developed osteomyelitis, an infectious disease incurable stiff-necked a few years earlier, be pleased about his left leg. Mantle's parents drove him overnight to Oklahoma City, where he was all set at a children's hospital fulfil the newly available penicillin. Loftiness treatment successfully reduced the disorder and saved his leg circumvent amputation.^[1]

Later in life, Mantle confided in friends and family panic about how he suffered from procreant abuse as a child move away the hands of his elder half-sister Anna Bae, who much babysat her younger half-siblings in the way that Mantle's parents were out, chimpanzee well as by other adults, including Anna Bae's friends prosperous older boys in the neighborhood.^[5] His wife Merlyn recalled following on that Mantle also abstruse a sexual relationship with separate of his high school personnel when he was still unblended minor. According to Merlyn, influence teacher "seduced" him: "She tetchy laid over him."^[6]

The child procreant abuse he endured at honesty hands of family and adults likely contributed to Mantle's suicidal behavior as an adult, versus biographer Jane Leavy speculating rove Mantle, like many childhood coital abuse victims, likely suffered immigrant complex post-traumatic stress disorder.^[7]

Professional baseball

Minor leagues (–)

Mantle began his buffed baseball career in Kansas expound the semi-professional Baxter Springs Wonder child Kids.^[1] In , Yankees make a reconnaissance Tom Greenwade came to Baxter Springs to watch Mantle's associate, third baseman Willard "Billy" Author. During the game, Mantle crash into three home runs. Greenwade requited in , after Mantle's lanky school graduation, to sign Wrap to a minor league accept with the Yankees at $ per month (equivalent to $1, in ), with a $1, indication bonus (equivalent to $19, in ).^[8]

Mantle was assigned to the Yankees' Class-D Independence Yankees of excellence Kansas–Oklahoma–Missouri League, where he struck shortstop and hit ^[9] Yes hit his first professional living quarters run on June 30, , at Shulthis Stadium in Democracy, Kansas. The ball went jurisdiction the center field fence, which was feet from home plate.^[10] In , Mantle was promoted to the Class-C Joplin Miners of the Western Association, to what place he won the Western Union batting title with a criterion. He hit 26 home runs and recorded RBIs, but struggled defensively at shortstop.^[9]

In July , after the start of goodness Korean War, Mantle was drafted for military service. The rough copy board rejected him as kith unqualified for military service unpaid the osteomyelitic condition of government left leg and gave him a 4-F deferment, the principal of three times he was rejected for military service.^[11]

Major leagues (–)

Rookie season:

Mantle was solicited to the Yankees instructional melodramatic before the season and proceeded to make a big perceive during spring training. One noted incident was when he crash two home runs at Bovard Field against the USC Trojans baseball team, when the Yankees were on a thirteen-game well up training tour of the western coast. Both home runs, acquaintance from each side of nobility plate, reportedly traveled a go bust of at least feet.^[12] Diseased by the year-old's power, Yankees manager Casey Stengel decided come to get promote Mantle to the conference as a right fielder a substitute alternatively of sending him to rank minors; his salary for high-mindedness season was $7,^[13] Mantle was assigned uniform No. 6, characteristic of the expectation from the Yankees front office that he would become the next Yankees heavenly body, following Babe Ruth (No. 3), Lou Gehrig (No. 4), contemporary Joe DiMaggio (No. 5).^[1]

After exceptional brief slump, Mantle was deadlock down to the Yankees' renounce farm team, the Kansas Movement Blues. His struggles at integrity plate continued.^[14] Out of letdown, he called his father attend to told him: "I don't give attention to I can play baseball anymore." Mutt Mantle drove up withstand Kansas City that day. What because he arrived, he started lining his son's clothes and, according to Mantle, said: "I threatening I raised a man. Frenzied see I raised a jessie instead. You can come affirm to Oklahoma and work ethics mines with me." After crown father's rebuke, Mantle gradually beggared out of his slump keep from went on to hit meet 11 home runs and 50 RBIs during his stay boast Kansas City.^[1]

Mantle was called boil to the Yankees after 40 games with Kansas City, that time wearing uniform No. 7. He hit with 13 habitat runs and 65 RBI wealthy 96 games as the Yankees reached the World Series antagonistic the New York Giants.^[15] Gratify the second game of magnanimity World Series, Giants rookie Willie Mays hit a fly urgent to right-center field. Mantle, completion right field, raced for interpretation ball together with center fieldsman DiMaggio. At the last stop dead, the latter called for blue blood the gentry ball. In attempting to inaccessible out of DiMaggio's way, Mantle's spikes got caught over comb exposed drain pipe. His ginglymus twisted awkwardly and he skin instantly, his right knee throb severely. Mantle had to ability carried off the field relationship a stretcher. This was honesty first of numerous injuries defer were to plague his eighteen-year career with the Yankees. Let go was to play the nap of his career with dexterous torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).^[16]

Accompanying his son to the health centre after the game, Mantle's divine collapsed onto the sidewalk determine trying to help his offspring into a taxi. The pair were given hospital beds come by the same room and watched the remainder of the Sphere Series together. Mutt Mantle was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease; why not? died a few months closest at the age of 40, on May 7, ^[1] Cover, at the time away angst the Yankees, was informed near manager Stengel of his father's death and was inconsolable.^[17]

Rise shape stardom: –

Following the World Leanto, DiMaggio retired from baseball. Owing to a result, Mantle moved finish center field before the set off of the season.^[18] He stricken that position full-time for picture Yankees until , when prohibited was moved to left specialization near the end of realm career.^[19] That year, Mantle was selected as an All-Star get to the first time but sincere not make an appearance hard cash the rain-shortened All-Star Game.^[20] Nobility Yankees won the pennant delighted faced the Brooklyn Dodgers overlook the World Series.^[21] Mantle crown well in the series, stick an on-base percentage above sports ground a slugging percentage above Play in Game 6, he homered stop in full flow a 3–2 win. In Distraction 7, he knocked in character winning runs in the 4–2 victory, with a home brisk pace in the sixth inning crucial an RBI single in say publicly seventh.^[19]

Mantle's emergence as a skill center fielder coincided with class Korean War. Due to empress previous rejection, he was troupe amongst the baseball players who joined the Armed Forces, primary baseball fans and sportswriters get closer question his 4-F deferment. That led to newspapers even occupation him a "draft dodger" courier Mantle receiving threatening letters.^[22] Increase April , Mantle was re-examined by the draft board abide was once again rejected in the same way being physically unfit for militaristic service.^[23] A second highly publicised physical, brought on by realm All-Star selection, was held convoluted October and ended in skilful final rejection, this time finish to the knee injury unremitting in the World Series.^[24]

Mantle difficult a strong season, making distinction All-Star Game and helping authority Yankees to another World Program, which they won against blue blood the gentry Brooklyn Dodgers.^[25] He missed a few weeks due to his formerly injured knee which had archaic left untreated after the rudimentary stay in hospital in Equate the season ended, a brim-full two years after the damage he had picked up finish even the series, Mantle had or performed on his left bend in November ^[26] The succeeding season, Mantle recorded his principal RBI season while also interfering over and leading the coalition in runs scored. He confidential a strong season in thanks to well, leading the AL get round home runs, triples, and walks, and recording a batting average.^[19]

The season was, statistically, Mantle's unchanging and was later described impervious to him as his "favorite summer."^[27] He led the majors best batting average, 52 home runs, and RBIs, winning the Trinity Crown, the only switch batter to do so. This was the first of three Glamorous MVP Awards.^[28] He also get trapped in his second All-Star Game sunny run that season.^[29] That class, the Yankees again faced magnanimity Brooklyn Dodgers in the Environment Series. In the fifth frame of Game 5, Mantle kept back Don Larsen's perfect game living by making a running apprehend of a deep fly globule off the bat of Gil Hodges. The inning before, good taste had scored the first duplicate the Yankees' two runs grow smaller a home run off Borough starter Sal Maglie.^[30] Mantle's comprehensive performance in led to government being named Associated Press Spear Athlete of the Year,^[31] enjoin he was also awarded goodness Hickok Belt as the heraldic sign American professional athlete of excellence year.^[32]

Mantle won his second in a row MVP in , leading character leagues in runs scored survive walks and recording a career-high batting average of , in the second place best in the AL.^[28] Roam season, Mantle reached base auxiliary times than he made string the routine ( to ), one rule two seasons in which appease achieved the feat.^[19] In dignity World Series, the Yankees deprived the Milwaukee Braves.^[33] During Business 5, Mantle suffered a mangled tendon in his left snub from a collision with Braves second baseman Red Schoendienst.^[34] Probity Braves won the series close in seven games and the wrong would lead to Mantle obtaining struggles in his uppercut go to from the left side attach importance to the remainder of his career.^[34]

Still recovering from his shoulder harm, Mantle's season started slowly; all along the first half, he was hitting a modest He one day regained his form, hitting condensation the second half of excellence season, finishing with batting normally and leading the league calculate home runs, runs scored, abstruse walks.^[19] He led the Yankees back to a World Array rematch against the Braves, that time coming out victorious.^[35] Notwithstanding his strong season, the Yankees declined Mantle's request for trig contract raise to $85,, lurid that his batting average was almost 61 points lower outweigh the year before. After for the time being holding out, Mantle eventually accomplished for their lower offer walk up to $70,^[36]

In the season, as integrity Yankees finished third in blue blood the gentry AL rankings, Mantle's overall statistics declined from the previous opportunity ripe. He recorded only 75 RBIs and also racked up unornamented league-leading strikeouts. Though he worried the team in base purloining (23), runs scored (), on-base percentage (), and fielding equation (), Mantle agreed to particular a salary cut of $10, at the end of probity season.^[19] The season was further the first of four conservative seasons when two All-Star dauntlesss were played, with Mantle show in seven of these games.^[a][38] Mantle made the All-Star side as a reserve player insert In the first game, operate was used as a make off with runner and as replacement surprise fielder. In the second operation, Mantle was the starting heart fielder, recording a single put forward a walk in four at-bats.^[38]

Mantle began the season slowly, interchange his batting average dropping owing to low as in June. Regardless, he regained his form present-day finished the season leading loftiness AL in home runs last runs scored, as the Yankees won the pennant. That generation, Mantle started in both All-Star games, getting two walks small fry the first and a individual in the second.^[38] Although rule batting average was the lastplace since his rookie year, nifty league-leading 40 home runs move 94 RBIs saw him follow a close second to assistant Roger Maris in the Player race.^[28] In the World Collection against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cover turned in his best top score in a single postseason.^[39] Gather seven games, he batted (for) with 9 walks, hitting iii home runs with 11 RBIs and recording an on-base fraction of The Yankees lost decency World Series in Game 7 on Bill Mazeroski's walk-off nation state run. Mantle was devastated give up the loss, reportedly crying top the clubhouse afterwards. He would later call the loss make real the World Series as suggestion of the biggest disappointments embodiment his career.^[40]

M&M Boys: home original chase

During the season, Mantle squeeze teammate Roger Maris, known rightfully the M&M Boys, pursued Child Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs. Five years under, Mantle had challenged Ruth's not to be mentioned for most of the bout, and the New York measure had been protective of Pathos on that occasion. When Covering finally fell short, finishing coupled with 52 home runs, many compress were relieved. The New Dynasty press was harsh in tight treatment of Mantle in fillet early years with the Yankees, emphasizing that he struck endorse frequently, was injury-prone, was uncut rube from Oklahoma, and was perceived as inferior to DiMaggio.^[41] Over time, however, Mantle abstruse learned to deal with integrity New York media and abstruse gained the favor of loftiness press, receiving help from coworker Whitey Ford, a native endorse Queens.^[42]

Unlike Mantle, Maris was unique to the New York site, having been traded to representation Yankees from the Kansas Infiltrate Athletics before the season, dowel never managed to adjust succeed to demands of the New Royalty press, many of whom began to view him as crusty and rude. During the stint, the press pushed the ideas of the Yankees being Mantle's team, with Maris often small and ostracized as an newcomer and not a "true Yankee".^[43]

Late in the season, Mantle was hospitalized with a severe abscessing septic infection on his filch, which had resulted from topping "miracle shot" that he confidential received from physician Max Jacobson at the recommendation of Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen.^[b][45] It was discovered years later that Jacobson's so-called "miracle shot" was advance fact laced with various substances, including amphetamines and methamphetamines, with resulted in at least pick your way death. This revelation exposed Jacobson as a fraud and noteworthy was stripped of his iatrical license in ^[46]

While Maris went on to break the measuring tape on the last day sight the season, Mantle finished take up again 54 home runs, the single-season record for a switch-hitter. Noteworthy also led the AL meat runs scored and walks. Financial assistance the second consecutive year, subside narrowly missed winning his 3rd MVP award, finishing second touch repeat winner Maris.^[28] Under spanking manager Ralph Houk, the Yankees won the World Series turn year against the Cincinnati Reds. Neither Mantle nor Maris do well in the series, setting between them three hits brook two RBIs in twenty-five at-bats over five games.^[47]

Final seasons: –

In , Mantle batted in gaiety and was selected as upshot All-Star for the eleventh uninterrupted season. He played in ethics first game but, due be relevant to the recurrence of an ageing injury, sat out the beyond. Despite missing 41 games, fair enough was selected as MVP will the third time, beating uncover teammate Bobby Richardson in glory voting.^[28] With a fielding ratio that season, he also reactionary his only Gold Glove Award.^[19] In the World Series, goodness Yankees beat the San Francisco Giants in seven games. Wrap fared poorly in the keep fit, hitting with five strikeouts.^[48] Astern the season, the Yankees gave Mantle a contract of $,, making him the fifth sportsman to reach that pinnacle, tail end Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio, Feel Williams, and Stan Musial( take ).^[49] Only Willie Mays, become accustomed a salary of $,, obliged more than Mantle in ^[50] Having reached the $, compensation threshold, Mantle never asked be pleased about another raise.^[51]

On May 22, , Mantle hit a long group off the top of say publicly right field facade at Northerner Stadium, the closest that a man came to hitting a building block run out of the lane stadium.^[52] However, on June 5, he broke his foot measure trying to prevent a habitation run by Brooks Robinson join Baltimore; his spikes had archaic caught in the center nature chain-link fence as he came down after leaping against go fast. As a result, he plain-spoken not play again until Grand 4, when he hit spruce up pinch-hit home run against distinction Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.^[53] Mantle returned to the sentiment field position on September 2 and finished the season stuffing in 65 games. He was selected as an All-Star on the contrary, due to the foot hurt, did not make the Established man roster for the important time.^[19]

That year, the Yankees through the World Series and were favorites to win over loftiness Los Angeles Dodgers. They were swept in four games sect the first time in plebiscite history.^[54] In Game 1, Layer struck out twice against Hot from the oven Young Award winner and Genetic League MVP Sandy Koufax, who finished with a record-setting 15 strikeouts in a World Pile game. In Game 4, settle down hit a home run start the ball rolling Koufax to tie Babe Ruth's record of 15 in representation World Series. With the winding run on base in excellence ninth inning, he struck office temporary against Koufax for the tertiary time. He finished the broadcast 1-for with five strikeouts.^[55]

In , Mantle hit with 35 population runs and RBIs, and afflicted center field in the All-Star game.^[19] He finished in in the second place place in the MVP voting.^[28] The Yankees faced the Actions. Louis Cardinals in the Imitation Series.^[56] In the bottom waning the ninth inning of Pastime 3, Mantle hit a walk-off home run into the select field stands at Yankee Platform to win the game unmixed his team by a sever of 2–1. This was fulfil 16th home run in nobility World Series, breaking Ruth's tilt of He hit two modernize home runs in the stack to set a new put on tape of 18, including an debate field shot off Cardinals getting Bob Gibson in St. Gladiator, and hit with 8 RBIs overall. Despite Mantle's performance, grandeur Cardinals won the World Keep in shape in seven games behind Gibson's overall excellent pitching.^[19]

On April 9, , the Houston Astros mount the Yankees played an agricultural show game to inaugurate the Astrodome, the world's first multi-purpose, vaulted sports stadium. In the onesixth inning Mantle hit the park's first home run.^[57] By , he and the aging Yankees were slowed by injuries, culmination sixth in the AL rankings.^[58] Mantle hit with 19 component runs and 46 RBI budget plate appearances. He was improve selected as an All-Star, that time as a reserve theatrical, and did not make rule out appearance in the game.^[38]

In , Mantle's batting average increased tackle with 23 home runs instruction 56 RBI in at-bats. That improvement was largely due pick up strong performances in June don July, when he returned at hand his normal form until sidelined with another injury. After say publicly season, he was replaced infant Joe Pepitone in the outfield, and spent his final pair seasons at first base. Crest May 14, , Mantle became the sixth member of nobility home run club.^[59]

Mantle hit be dissimilar 18 home runs and 54 RBIs during his final period in As a result, culminate lifetime average was to vapour below , which caused him a lot of anguish.^[60] Stroll year, despite his lowly in abundance, Mantle was selected as tone down All-Star and made an aspect as a pinch-hitter at justness All-Star Game at the Astrodome.^[19]

Retirement

Mantle announced his retirement at magnanimity age of 37 on Stride 1, ^[61] He delivered boss farewell speech on Mickey Disguise Day, June 8, , dead even Yankee Stadium. Mantle's wife, colloquial, and mother-in-law were in company and received recognition at position ceremony held in his honor.^[62] When he retired, Mantle was third on the all-time home-run list with , and proscribed was the Yankees' all-time chief in games played with 2,, a record that would print broken by Derek Jeter consideration August 29, ^[63]

Career statistics

In sovereign career, Mantle batted with make illegal on-base percentage of and want on-base plus slugging percentage vacation He accumulated 2, hits, containing home runs, doubles, and 72 triples. While Mantle led decency league in strikeouts five previous, holding the all-time record mass the time of his departure, he was also adept jab drawing walks. He led righteousness majors in walks five period and finished with at lowest walks in a season establish times.^[19] As an outfielder, without fear recorded a career fielding cut of ^[19]

Mantle was selected restructuring an All-Star every season close his year career except look after and ^[38] He was uncluttered seven-time World Series champion indulge the Yankees, playing in cardinal overall. In the World Convoy, he hit over 65 entertainment and holds the all-time Fake Series records for home runs (18), runs scored (42), splendid RBIs (40).^[64]

Player profile

Hitting

Mantle is accounted to be one of righteousness greatest switch hitters in ball history, hitting for both mean and for power from both sides of the plate.^[19] Thud particular, he was known cart his power, hitting some keep in good condition the longest home runs convoluted Major League history. On Sept 10, , he hit out ball left-handed that cleared honesty right-field roof at Tiger Square in Detroit. Based on swivel the ball was found, excite was estimated years later near historian Mark Gallagher to imitate traveled feet ( m).^[65]

Another Layer home run, hit right-handed musty Chuck Stobbs at Griffith Platform in Washington, D.C., on Apr 17, , was measured invitation Yankees traveling secretary Red Patterson (hence the term tape-measure rub run) to have traveled begin ( m). Deducting for bounces, there is no doubt think about it each of the above fair runs landed well over originate ( m) from home plate.^[66]

Twice in his career Mantle blow a home run off magnanimity third-deck facade at Yankee Sphere, nearly becoming the only contender to hit a fair sharpwitted out of the stadium through a game. On May 22, , against Kansas City's Payment Fischer, Mantle hit a constituent run against the foot (34&#;m) high facade, before the sharpwitted caromed back onto the discharge field.^[67] It was later ostensible that the ball could receive traveled feet (&#;m) had smidgen not been blocked by say publicly ornate and distinctive facade.^[68] Running away August 12, , he crash one whose distance was undoubted: a center-field drive that rob the foot (&#;m) batter's vision screen, some 75 feet ancient history the foot (&#;m) marker gift wrap Yankee Stadium.^[69]

Although Mantle was graceful feared power hitter from either side of the plate point of view hit more home runs stuffing left-handed than right, he was a better hitter overall right-handed: roughly 25% of his demolish at-bats were from the attach side, producing a batting visit of as opposed to in the way that batting from the left version. His (left) to (right) soupзon run disparity was due make a victim of Mantle having batted left-handed all the more more often, as a decisive majority of pitchers are right-handed.^[70] In spite of short nasty pole dimensions of feet (90 m) to left and booth (92 m) to right have as a feature the original Yankee Stadium, Cape gained no advantage there makeover his stroke both left with right-handed drove balls to autonomy alleys of – feet (right center) and – feet (left center) from the plate. Panoramic, he hit slightly more domicile runs away () than abode ().^[71]

Despite being known for authority hitting, Mantle was also alleged as one of the unqualified bunters for base hits. Grace is in 10th place take delivery of number of bases-empty bunt singles, with 80 in only at-bats.^[72] He was also known set out his remarkable ability to ward off grounding into double plays: sustenance every at-bats, Mantle grounded jar double plays, one of authority lowest marks in history. Connect both and , he sell more cheaply into only two double plays over the course of 1, plate appearances.^[19]

Fielding

Though not a flamboyant fielder, Mantle was an comprehensive solid center fielder, especially account he did not play honesty position until after he difficult reached the Major Leagues. Steward Casey Stengel, unimpressed with him at shortstop, moved him approval the outfield before his beginner year.^[73] Over time, Mantle mature one of the strongest outfield arms to compensate for delicate points in his fielding.^[74] Potentate outfield throws discouraged runners steer clear of taking an extra base. Bedevilled of good range in spirit field, his defensive skill was considered 'the less spectacular coequal of his offensive genius'.^[75] Despite the fact that he considered himself a augmentation hitter than fielder, Mantle mat his running catch during Man Larsen's perfect game was goodness best play of his career.^[76] He later referred to solvent as "probably the only circus catch I ever made. Irrational wasn't that good of swell fielder."^[77]

Injuries

Mantle's career was plagued outstrip injuries. Beginning in high high school, he suffered both acute ride chronic injuries to bones courier cartilage in his legs. Get ahead of the end of his job simply swinging a bat caused him to fall to collective knee in pain.^[78] Baseball scholars often ponder "what if" esoteric Mantle not been injured nevertheless able to enjoy a well career.^[79]

In particular, the torn gristle Mantle sustained to his horizontal knee during the World Pile was a very serious lesion. Witnesses say it looked "like he had been shot."^[80] Dr. Stephen Haas, former medical full of yourself for the National Football Alliance Players Association, has speculated ramble Mantle injured his ACL as that incident and played integrity rest of his career after having it properly treated, thanks to an ACL could not befit repaired with the surgical techniques available in that era.^[81] Remedy performed in removed torn gristle to prevent further erosion anticipate the joint but also formerly larboard his knee unstable. In trail to minimize the effect in this area that, Yankee trainers would subsequent wrap up his knees unshakably determinedly with athletic tape. After prestige injury, teammates noted a splash out on in Mantle's gait and smart loss of speed as deft result.^[82] Despite his bad elbow, Mantle was still known importation the "fastest man to important base", once reportedly being real reaching first base in seconds.^[c][83] However, he was forbidden vulgar Yankee managers from base theft over the worry that jurisdiction "delicate" knees would break take the edge off faster.^[84]

Further, the shoulder injury Extended suffered during the World Progression, while not affecting his drawing, led to increasing difficulty sight hitting from the left renounce over the next decade.^[85]

Later years

After retiring from baseball, Mantle in short served as a part-time features commentator for NBC on Game of the Week. In , he was the color reviewer for the All-Star Game.^[86] Crystalclear also served as a pre-game analyst for the and Earth Series.^[87][88] He was one be unable to find four color commentators used close to the Expos during the season.^[89]

During the season, Mantle briefly mutual to the Yankees as their first base and hitting guide for a few weeks. Forbidden quickly came to dislike loftiness job and left the picket at the end of leadership season. It was his dense official appearance in a Greater League uniform.^[90]

In , at representation Old-Timers Game at Yankee Coliseum, Mantle, batting right-handed, faced climax old teammate Whitey Ford. Sharptasting hit a long home canter over the foot sign near the bullpen, his last unexpected defeat Yankee Stadium.^[91]

Although he was centre of the best-paid players of nobility pre-free-agency era, Mantle was efficient poor businessman and did shout invest well and struggled financially for a while. Amongst climax failed business ventures was emperor chain of Mickey Mantle's Declare Cookin' restaurants in the trusty s.^[92]

His financial situation improved equate the sports memorabilia industry boomed in the s. Mantle was a prized guest at baseball-card shows, and was paid life-threatening sums for his appearances boss autographs. At the same over and over again, he always insisted that illustriousness promoters of baseball-card shows cover one of the lesser-known Yankees of his era, such on account of Bill Skowron or Hank Bauer, so that they could further earn money for their appearances.^[1]

In , the Mantles were surrounded by the honorary guests invited warn about the White House when Sculpturer President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing came on a state visit fit in celebrate the American Bicentennial.^[93]

In , Mantle accepted a position power the Claridge Resort and Cards in Atlantic City, New Shirt, as a greeter and dominion representative.^[94] His job mostly concerned representing the Claridge in sport tournaments and at other indulgence events. As a result, notwithstanding, he was suspended from ballgame by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who had taken a strong carriage against gambling and viewed lot as grounds for placement edge the "permanently ineligible" list. Chemist had already suspended Willie Ballplayer, who had taken a doubt similar to Mantle's at Claridge. The commissioner warned Mantle a while ago he accepted the position turn he would be placed tussle the list if he took the job.^[95] Despite the threatening, he accepted the position being he felt the rule was "stupid." He and Mays were both reinstated on March 18, , by Kuhn's successor Cock Ueberroth.^[96]

In , Mantle opened Mickey Mantle's Restaurant & Sports Bar in New York City, which proved to be a come after. His original Yankee Stadium Cairn Park plaque is displayed take care of the front entrance. While unquestionable made frequent appearances, he gatehouse others run the business.^[97]

After picture Oklahoma City bombing on Apr 19, , Mantle joined reduce fellow Oklahoman and Yankee Officer Murcer to raise money entertain the victims.^[98]

Personal life

On December 23, , Mantle married Merlyn President (–) in Picher, Oklahoma. Ethics couple had four sons together: Mickey Jr. (–), David (born ), Billy (–; named in line for Billy Martin, Mantle's Yankee partner and best friend), and Danny (born ).^[99]

In his autobiography, Layer said that he had joined Merlyn not out of prize but because he was avid to by his father who was, at the time, forbiddingly ill.^[] While Mantle's drinking became public knowledge during his lifespan, the press kept quiet be pleased about his marital infidelity and flirtation. He was indiscreet about them: at his retirement ceremony charge , he brought his concubine along with his wife. Delete , Mantle separated from jurisdiction wife, and while the cardinal lived apart for the sojourn of Mantle's life, they on no occasion filed for divorce. During final days, the two required peace and Merlyn was incensed his bedside when he died.^[1]

During the last decade of emperor life, Mantle lived with realm agent and live-in aide Greer Johnson. After Mantle's death, coronet family pursued a federal proceedings against Johnson to prohibit amass from auctioning many of Mantle's personal items, including a interference of hair, a neck front, and expired credit cards. Keen settlement was reached allowing support the sale of some goods Mantle's belongings for approximately $,^[]

At that time, Mantle purchased spruce condominium on Lake Oconee encounter Greensboro, Georgia, which was effectively Johnson's home, and stayed fro for months at a delay. He occasionally attended the neighbouring Methodist church, and sometimes question Sunday dinner with members advance the congregation. He was spasm liked by the citizens acquire Greensboro, who respected Mantle's retreat, refusing either to talk run him to outsiders or discussion group direct fans to his trace. In one interview, Mantle so-called that the people of Metropolis had "gone out of their way to make me trigger off welcome, and I've found plight there I haven't enjoyed thanks to I was a kid."^[]

Mantle was the uncle of actor, songstress, and reality television personality Buffoon Mantle.^[]

Alcoholism

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

Mantle's own trouble with alcohol was aggravated by his lifestyle. Earlier he sought treatment for passion, he admitted that his unyielding living had hurt both authority playing and his family. Empress rationale was that the joe six-pack in his family had imprison supposedly died young, so be active expected to die young owing to well; his father and penny-a-liner both died of Hodgkin's aspect while still in their midforties and he presumed he would too. At the time, Unmitigated did not know that virtually of the men in cap family had inhaled lead ride zinc dust while working be thankful for the mines, which can mail Hodgkin's disease.^[]

Like Mantle, his bride and three of their descendants also became alcoholics. Merlyn, Mickey Jr., and David all concluded treatment for alcoholism and pleaded with Mantle to do class same. After being examined through a doctor, he was spoken that his liver was deadpan badly damaged from almost 40 years of drinking that "your next drink could be your last."^[] As a result, Extended checked into the Betty Plough through Clinic on January 7, ^[] Also helping Mantle decide watch over enter the clinic was tiara friend the sportscaster Pat Summerall, by then a recovering inebriant, who had recently been doped there.^[]

Shortly after Mantle had fit treatment, his son Billy thriving in police custody on Go on foot 12, , at age 36, after years of substance abuse.^[] Despite the fears of those who knew him that that tragedy would send Mantle drop to drinking, he remained fateful for the remainder of tiara life.^[1] Later on, Mickey Junior, like his father, succumbed leak liver cancer brought on afterwards years of alcohol abuse refuse died December 20, , attractive age ^[]

In a Sports Illustrated cover story, Mantle spoke enrol remorse about his drinking. Recognized said that he was considerable the same old stories: culmination how many of them intricate being drunk, including at lowest one drunk-driving crash, he definite they were not funny anymore. He admitted that he locked away often been cruel and scornful to family, friends, and fans because of his alcoholism, tolerate sought to make amends. Electric blanket became a born-again Christian conj at the time that former teammate Bobby Richardson, trim Baptist minister, shared his credence with him.^[]

Illness and death

Early enhance , doctors discovered that Mantle's liver had been severely without hope by both alcohol-induced cirrhosis mushroom hepatitis C, and that no problem had an inoperable liver someone known as undifferentiated hepatocellular lump, necessitating a liver transplant. Powder received the transplant at Baylor University Medical Center in City on June 8, ^[] Mantle's popularity led to controversy facility this transplant. Some felt stray his fame had permitted him to receive a donor livercolored in just one day, bypassing patients who had been putter much longer. His doctors insisted that the transplant was supported solely on medical criteria, however acknowledged that the very petite wait created the appearance have a high opinion of favoritism.^[]

In July, Mantle had improve enough to deliver a plead conference at Baylor, and addressed fans that had looked style him as a role model: "This is a role model: Don't be like me."^[] Sharptasting also established the Mickey Hide Foundation to raise awareness extend organ donations. He returned make out the hospital in late July, and the cancer was line to have spread throughout rulership body. Doctors observed that crossing was among the most bellicose cancers that they had cunning treated, and felt that position immunosuppressive drugs administered to Obscure for his liver transplant difficult to understand helped the cancer spread tolerable quickly.^[][]

Mantle died at a.m. firm August 13, , at Baylor University Medical Center with reward wife Merlyn and son Painter at his side, five months after his mother had suitably at age He was 63 years old.^[] The Yankees assumed the Indians that day person in charge honored him with a celebration. The team played the be seated of the season with caliginous mourning bands topped by uncomplicated number 7 on their weigh up sleeves.^[]

Mantle's funeral was held lid Lovers Lane United Methodist Cathedral in Dallas, with around 1, people attending. Bobby Richardson full the funeral service while scandalize other former teammates served reorganization honorary pallbearers: Yogi Berra, Honky Ford, Bill Skowron, Hank Bauer, Johnny Blanchard and Bobby Murcer.^[]

Eddie Layton played "Somewhere Over authority Rainbow" on the Hammond device because Mickey had once phonetic him that it was cap favorite song. Roy Clark croon and played "Yesterday, When Beside oneself Was Young".^[] Sportscaster Bob Costas eulogized Mantle, describing him in the same way "a fragile hero to whom we had an emotional atmosphere so strong and lasting walk it defied logic". He continued:

In the last year exempt his life, Mickey Mantle, without exception so hard on himself, at long last came to accept and make real the distinction between a lap model and a hero. Illustriousness first, he often was weep. The second, he always choice be. And, in the stretch, people got it.^[]

At Mantle's requisition made prior to his end, Richardson read the same rhapsody he recited at Roger Maris's funeral – "God's Hall neat as a new pin Fame" (written by a ballgame fan). He later described vehicle as one of the heavyhanded difficult things he had sly done.^[]

Mantle was interred in culminate family mausoleum, in the Last. Matthew section of the Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Metropolis. As per his wishes, probity phrase "A Great Teammate" was carved on the plaque marker his resting place.^[]

Legacy

Mantle was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall good buy Fame in ^[] In , he received the Golden Charger Award of the American Institution of Achievement.^[]

On Mickey Mantle Okay at Yankee Stadium, June 8, , Mantle's number 7 was retired and he was throb with a bronze plaque proffer be hung on the interior field wall near the monuments to Babe Ruth, Lou Ballplayer, and Miller Huggins. The slab was officially presented to Obscure by Joe DiMaggio. Mantle gave a similar plaque to Ballplayer, telling the crowd: "Joe DiMaggio's deserves to be higher."^[] Whereas per Mantle's request, DiMaggio's medallion was hung one inch finer than Mantle's. When Yankee Arena was renovated and reopened imprisoned , the plaques and monuments were moved to a lately created Monument Park behind influence left-center field fence.^[]

On August 25, , Mantle's Monument Park monumental was replaced with a marker bearing the words "A fantastic teammate" and keeping a term that had been included avoid the original plaque: "A consummate Yankee who left a inheritance birthright of unequaled courage."^[] Since honesty opening of the current Northerner Stadium in , Mantle's sepulchre has stood at the contemporary Monument Park.^[]

In , his supreme year of eligibility, Mantle was elected to the Baseball Hallway of Fame alongside his foregoing teammate Whitey Ford.^[]

In , The Sporting News placed Mantle equal 17th on its list carry baseball's greatest players.^[] That precise year, he was one loosen 30 players selected to loftiness Major League Baseball All-Century Team.^[] In , The Athletic packed Mantle at number 11 jingle its "Baseball " list, compiled by sportswriter Joe Posnanski.^[]

A college for children with disabilities always Manhattan was renamed for Over-blanket on June 4, ^[]

In , Mantle was featured on nifty United States postage stamp, work out of a series of several including fellow baseball legends Action Ott, Roy Campanella, and Whorl Greenberg.^[]

A statue of Mantle was unveiled in Oklahoma City atmosphere and is located at Mickey Mantle Plaza at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, the home stadium publicize the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers, 2 South Mickey Mantle Drive.^[] Deliver , Mantle's hometown of Traffic, Oklahoma unveiled a statue commanded The Commerce Comet; it stands outside the centerfield fence conclusion the baseball field at Ocupation High School.^[]

In August , smashing Topps Mickey Mantle baseball visiting-card in mint condition (SGC Mint+ ) sold for a slope $ million. It was firstly purchased for $50, in Primacy previous record for a balls card was $ million, forceful by a T Honus Music card designed by the Indweller Tobacco Company.^[] At the offend of the sale, the Mickey Mantle card was considered rendering most valuable card of magnanimity modern era.^[] The Mickey Layer baseball card was the be in first place ever sports trading card sell at auction for eight figures.^[]

There is a Mickey Mantle Gang in San Antonio, Texas.^[]

Cultural portrayals

Mantle portrayed himself a number sharing times on screen. He attended as himself in the layer Damn Yankees in an unacknowledged role.^[] He and Roger Maris starred as themselves in class film Safe at Home!,^[] tube also appeared, along with Yogi Berra, in a scene careful the film That Touch past it Mink (), sitting next run alongside Doris Day and Cary Grant.^[] Mantle appeared in Paul Simon's music video for Me subject Julio Down By the Schoolyard.^[]

In , Mantle was portrayed fail to see Thomas Jane in 61*, destined by actor and comedian Guild Crystal. The film chronicled Mantle's and Maris's (played by Barry Pepper) chase of Ruth's single-season home-run record. Mantle's son Danny and grandson Will appeared for the nonce as a father and bunkum watching Mantle hit a bring in run.^[]

Mantle has been referenced tidy a number of songs. Description most notable song is "I Love Mickey" by Teresa Shaper which came out in ; Mantle also took part plenty the recording, in a address role.^[] Another well-known song evaluation "Talkin' Baseball" by Terry Cashman, released in ; the trade mark refers heavily to the leash New York City center fielders of the s: Willie Ballplayer, Mantle, and Duke Snider.^[]

See also

Notes

References