Mickey Mantle 1967 - 500th Home Run as aired on WPIX-TV, 5/14/1967

YanksAtShea is very proud to present on its 45th Anniversary the WPIX-TV coverage of Mickey Mantle's 500th Home Run, hit at Yankee Stadium off of Stu Miller of the Baltimore Orioles on May 14, 1967. See the newly painted original Stadium (its first time in blue and white colors) and hear Jerry Coleman call yet another magnificent moment in Yankee history brought to you by THE magnificent Yankee, Mickey Mantle.

[@dopier12]

I guess this is how the greats do it, huh? No obnoxious behavior, no outrageous showmanship, not even fanfare, huh? Just pure business! Legendary. I guess there is a mental capacity that has to be reached by all on their own time.

[@briankleinschmidt3664]

Yeah, but you aught come out and take a bow for the people.

[@jhs8496]

@@briankleinschmidt3664 LOL. Mickey? He was too wasted.

[@Bdub1952]

I'm glad I was a kid that loved baseball during the 60's. The golden years.

[@genehollon1472]

B W < mine was in the 40s and 50s in sandlot,American Legion, and semi-pro.I was never as good as I thought I was, But was selected to play in ALL STAR games at Rickwood field in the 50s. Those memories are still sharp and satisfying at age 88. Many friends from those glorious days.

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

Yep! Same here

[@floridianman]

Wish I could have been there

[@johnwheet7037]

same for football...when men played like men

[@MichaelStewart-j1l]

@@genehollon1472 Thank you for sharing that sir! Can you share any more?

[@jturie]

No gloves, no stepping out of the box every pitch for 30 seconds while tightening up the gloves, no nonsense running the bases. Hey today's players--are you watching this?

[@jerelkenworthy3368]

Today's players are a bunch of premadonnas they think their all Mickey Mantles .They have to step out of the box adjust their gloves watch the crowd like look at me I'm a great man I play pro ball I want more money etc.etc. Hey guys there are a lot of minor leagues that can take your spot be satisfied that your playing at all u bunch of punks.

[@JFORSNY]

Also, did you notice the ball Mickey fouled off was kept in play? No new ball for every pitch.

[@johnwilliamduke4110]

That’s why I don’t watch any MLB anymore. Nothing but prima donnas primping and playing with theirselves even before they bat.

[@imjustdogshit7500]

Yep and they used to hit wet socks..not these super juiced balls like now

[@graycloud057]

You said it pal! I agree 110%👍🏼👍🏼

[@tomconway5684]

No batting gloves, no arrogance, just brute strength and talent. That was Mantle.

[@emt5330]

Who knows what he could have achieved if he had taken better care of himself.

[@jc8952]

emt5330 he had bad knees. It wasn’t all his lifestyle

[@headshotsongs9465]

He always said he knew what pitch was coming.

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@jc8952 ya,you can see he wasn't running to well in this video

[@genobambino]

Only 36 more to go.

[@r.peterlucarelli1605]

I was there. Mothers's Day. Kept the stub and years later had him sign it. Great memories.

[@boboconnor9062]

great story, I was at Comisky park for Stottlemeyer's first game as a yankee. Mantle hit two home runs and still was reluctant to give me his autograph on the bus after the game but did and i treasured it for so long. Still love the Yankees.

[@antonioacevedo5200]

How much you want for that autographed ticket stub?

[@r.peterlucarelli1605]

@D. R. My dad went to NYMA but that was just before WWII.

[@r.peterlucarelli1605]

@@antonioacevedo5200 Sorry, my ex got it from me.

[@antonioacevedo5200]

@@r.peterlucarelli1605 Sorry to hear that. I'm surprised that the event meant anything to her.

[@TheBatugan77]

Watching Mick round first, you see why he was almost done. Watching him in the 1952 Series... you see why he was one of the greatest.

[@SmokinGun55]

The greatest baseball player I ever saw! My boyhood hero. The Great Mantle.

[@tap22]

SmokinGun55 My father who passed away 5 years ago was born in 1955 his all time fav hero was the Mick, I never once saw my Father in cry in my life until the day Mickey passed away, it was at that moment I knew what a hero means to someone !

[@SmokinGun55]

@@tap22 I was born in 1955 too. Thanks for the touching comment. I felt crushed the day Mantle died as well. Yes, that's just the way it was back in mine and your father's generation.

[@mickeyphillips6603]

My father’s favorite player was Mantle, he named me after him. I was born in 1966, I never saw him play. I cried too, the day he died.

[@SmokinGun55]

@@mickeyphillips6603 Very cool story. Thanks for sharing.

[@BOBKESSLER48]

AMEN!

[@lowes891646]

3-2 count and BOOOM! Classic Mantle. I remember watching this live with my Dad. I loved Micky and my Dad!

[@___David___Savian]

That's how humble Mickey was that he hit his 500th home run and didn't even come out for a curtain call. It so sad seeing him run around the bases. He was in obvious pain with his knees by then.

[@hereef1]

What a different ball player Mantle might have been. Had he not injured his legs.

[@robertcooney1938]

Did he even realize it was his 500th?

[@artmiller3860]

Same gait as Gibby after his dinger.

[@robbarbieri8676]

@@hereef1 It was said he missed something like 5 and a half total seasons due to stays on the disabled list. He also admitted he didn't take proper care of himself. Seeing as his contemporaries, Willie and Hank, played into their forties while he retired at 36, IMO a healthy Mickey would be the career homer leader, possibly approaching 800. Obviously, we'll never know.

[@floridianman]

Why feel sorry for him when he was known to just party non-stop. If he would have just taken care of himself he'd have so many records

[@thondomain]

"After I hit a home run I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases." Mickey Mantle. Even on a milestone home run, Mantle ran with his head down and no celebration.

[@johnnyangel3683]

thondomain Don't show off and don't show up the pitcher !Dignity class !Not like the juvenile stunts they do today!

[@rascal211]

He had Respect

[@headshotsongs9465]

Todays players are giving interviews at 3rd base as they round for home.

[@peterreid6096]

@Alchemica Blackwood let,s not be nasty now.No disrespect to you at all but give him some credit

[@DavidWilliams-jf7cr]

GREATEST SWITCH-HITTER OF ALL TIME

[@Ekimkenap]

No fireworks, no bat flip, no watching it go out, hustle around the bases. Only one type of ball player does that. A Legend.

[@chuckmacchione5182]

Could we see more of the game

[@gato7908]

And no mob scene and homie handshakes and chest thumping at home plate

[@killercapo]

@Krystal Giove He was "jogging lazily" because he could hardly walk, you effin' schmuck!

[@bobtis]

@@killercapo I know what a douche bag. WTF do you know Krystal meth

[@sandranartowicz3368]

@john breiwoitz How many major league home runs do you have?

[@mikekuttich2503]

His teammates LOVED him. That says it all!

[@rogerwilliams5366]

Great point.

[@64yanks]

And so did his peers, fans of every other team and the writers

[@lancebaker3132]

Mantle played for several years with pain that would have put all of us in the Lazy Boy most hours of the day. Yes, in his later years he got too involved with booze, but in his hay day, no one was better at power hitting, switch hitting, bunting, fielding, running bases. He was one of the last players to use the bunt regularly and effectively.

[@df5295]

Before he wrecked his knees he was one of the fastest players in baseball. When he first saw Mantle, Casey Stengel said he could hit like Ruth and run like Cobb.

[@howie9751]

@@df5295 He also had a fantastic arm until Red Schoendienst fell on his right shoulder in the 1958 World Series. Even afterwards his arm was still good.

[@georgesealy4706]

Mantle was also one of the fastest players in the league when he was young. He was my favorite player growing up. He was a true natural.

[@jamescrooke8475]

sorry he was involved with booze his whole life. He was a hard partier as a 20 something and it continues for a number of years. I am not prejudice he was my hero.

[@headshotsongs9465]

He never lost his power swing. It was HOF.

[@michaelrinella6384]

This is when 500 home runs meant something.

[@justabill1961]

Must not have meant much to Yankee fans! Only 18,872 bothered to even show up!

[@michaelrinella6384]

Totally different era. Before 1980 or so, drawing a million was considered great attendance.

[@americangiant1003]

True. The Dodgers was the first team to draw 2 and 3 million.

[@gdalcorso1]

@@justabill1961 you're a moron.

[@brianarbenz7206]

This was before school was out and a daytime game.

[@stephensanfilippo1845]

My boyhood idol. I was 18 when he hit this. No bat flip. No stare at the picture. Simply, when healthy, the greatest ever.

[@realtome100]

mickey was a Class act just like Willie Mays

[@jamesd2128]

Off the field, away from the clubhouse, not so much, pretty wild & woolly character with the ladies and booze. On the field though, you couldn't ask for a better teammate.

[@jasonabbott5546]

Class acts my ass. Both were jerks. Read up sometime about how Mantle treated his wife and kids. Drunken jerk. Let the Yankees down, cared more about booze and women that baseball. Casey Stengel was forever sad on how great Mantle could have been if he had quit abusing his already fragile body

[@joethaler7921]

@@jasonabbott5546 Mantle and Mays were two of the biggest pricks to ever play the game. If you like I will gladly cite specific examples.

[@milojanis4901]

@@joethaler7921 Please cite GENUINE FACTS. I'm waiting in suspense.....

[@joethaler7921]

Milo Janis Milo, here are the specifics. In September 1964, I was at the Stadium after a Tigers,game. Waiting at the entrance to the Player’s parking with half a dozen other fans, we asked for autographs. Most of the exiting Yanks signed autographs, some walked on by, but Mantle spat on the ground and elbowed his way through. As a hero worshipping 14 y.o., Ifigured he had a bad day. Next incident occurred at the Stadium in July, 1967. It was a game against the Red Sox. A Wednesday day game. I was sitting in the Right Center Field bleachers with two buddies, just this side of the 407 sign. Boomer Scott lined a shot that didn’t stop until it hit the Bleacher wall. Mantle turned around to play it off the wall. As he was waiting to play it, he gave us the finger and nonchalonted it into the cutoff man. Scott got a triple and I swore off mantle(sic) for good. Now for the Mays story. In the Summer of 1974, I had a summer job turning off fire hydrants, in Harlem. The shop yard was on 155th Street and 8th AVE. It was opposite Salt and Pepper, a BBQ restaurant that Mays frequented. Because he was who he was, he was always allowed to park his Pink and White Imperial in the yard. One, day, while we were in the yard, he came back for the car. When I told him he was my favorite ball player, he said, “Get the f... out of my way.” One of the yard for emen saw it and told me not to feel bad. Old Say Hey Willie treated everybody that way. Screw mays and mantle. As I said, two of the meanest pricks to ever play the game.

[@dravenbbs66]

The man ran around those bases like a wounded warrior.

[@steveconkey7362]

That plus he was most likely drunk.

[@DozaSlayer]

Fuck off, his knees were so bad by this time in his career, he could barely play

[@marcosortega3550]

Draven 73 he was still a warrior.

[@written12]

DozaSlayer I don't "wounded warrior" was meant as an insult.

[@DozaSlayer]

It was directed at Steve.

[@mandograssable]

Mickey was my idol when I was a kid. Our little league team went to see the Yankees play the Washinton Senators in DC. I got to see Mick, Yogi Berra, and Roger Maris. That is a trip that will never leave my mind.

[@rogerwilliams5366]

Awesome!!!

[@ehreid88]

@@rogerwilliams5366 me also...1959

[@johnreichard6698]

Mickey Mantle my hero from back in the day.

[@scotta6823]

John Reichard love the avatar. Angel and the badman?

[@noobyaz]

He's not gonna pay your rent kid

[@ghenry4513]

This was beautiful. Teared up a bit bc the innocence of the game back then was still there, and you can just see what Mantle brought to the game in its early days. I love the way the players swung the bat back then too (at least Mantle, DiMaggio, Ruth before him). They were less trained on technicalities and more governed by their natural concept of what a good swing is. Mantle has one of the most unique swings I've ever saw. It's almost heavenly. Even though he swings "out of his shoes" on the first two strikes (probably because he was swinging for the fences to get it), when he connects you can see him pull it on purpose down the line. Most power hitters that try to jack one out end up getting themselves out because they're not natural homerun hitters, but natural homerun hitters like Mantle know how to do what they want with the pitch they get. Mantle lined that pitch up and purposefully pulled it out over the right field bleachers.

[@Quimby54]

John Reichard you're not alone John, I went to see him play in 1967 at Yankee Stadium....it's a day I'll never forget.

[@Quimby54]

Zip Zipper Yeah, especially since he's dead..

[@mikeofnines]

'The great number 7, Mickey Mantle'. THIS is the Real Deal. THIS is a Ballplayer.

[@ericparnell4623]

Yep! One of the greatest SOUTHERNERS the Yankees had the honor to have on there team

[@geoffreydy9739]

My dad's favorite ballplayer and so is mine. #7

[@geezler4083]

Mickey and Al Kaline, two humble gentlemen.

[@aa697]

Yes they were great and humble at the same time. Pure legends.

[@thebiggol]

I know Kalines Granddaughters. From the family in Baltimore that he abandoned. They think he is a piece of shit.

[@shawngregory1429]

Al Kaline was not supposed to be a very nice person. Mantle was a shitty husband and father.

[@jimwhite9401]

@@thebiggol You know jack shit

[@jimwhite9401]

@@shawngregory1429 Al Kaline was a class act. Period. Go go troll somewhere, loser.

[@mikestephenson4484]

I was at Yankee Stadium to see this! It was glorious. I was a mere lad at 9 years old. It was Mother's Day.

[@stevenstone5083]

I was at the Stadium the day Maris hit No, 61. Last game of the season. Attendance: 23,154! And the game was less than 2 hours.

[@QED_]

@@stevenstone5083 props

[@mickeydrago9401]

@@stevenstone5083 You don't have Steve Stone's baseball card by any chance do you 😘

[@robertjones7419]

That’s an awesome memory…

[@Ronin4614]

I grew up in Upstate NY where the Yankees farm team was. The Yankees were my only team and Mickey Mantel was the man when I was growing up. I was able to see the Yankees and Mickey play at Yankee Stadium. This video was shot in my undergrad years and I remember it well. RIP, Mickey, and thanks for being a hero for all the kids back then.

[@timothygibson2056]

Then you must have grown up in Oneonta, New York, home of Sam Nader's Oneonta Yankees 'A' farm team. Mariano, Jorge and others came from the same farm club. Great town.

[@SeamusMcGillicuddy0]

Be honest now ! You know that Governor Nelson Rockefeller WAS the man in Upstate New York, in those days !

[@chasbodaniels1744]

Syracuse Chiefs were the Yankees AAA affiliate for a while too. Years after The Mick’s playing days, they had their AA club in Albany-Colonie.

[@jefferywilson7977]

My dad attended this game, he told me he was curious why everyone was cheering so much til my grandfather told him it was his 500th career HR. RIP Dad! 🖤

[@guymerritt4860]

Very cool that your Dad was there,

[@edmoore7926]

Jeffery Wilson this brought tears to my eyes. I was with my father to witness Harmon Killebrews 500th home run. RIP dad.

[@jefferywilson7977]

@@edmoore7926 that's awesome you got to witness that with your dad as well. Baseball is such a special sport!

[@elvismemories52]

Jeffery Wilson he was at one of his lowest point in his personal life. Played injured most of the time.

[@jefferywilson7977]

@@elvismemories52 I honestly didn't know that!

[@fastted8618]

I'm not a Yankee fan. First saw Mick at Comiskey Park in 1957. I was 8 y/o. That guy had all kinds of NATURAL power. God bless his memory.

[@frankv7123]

As a kid at Comiskey I saw Mick hit a home run to center Was a moment never to forget!

[@machete454]

@@frankv7123 1965 comiskey park ford vs fisher mantle slams 3 runhomer in 4th off fisher,final scrore 3-0 ,my first time at a sox yankee game

[@fmoneememanxadr]

Fastt Ed, we might have been at the same game. The ballpark was packed (sro) and I think Berra also homered in that game.

[@paulburns1333]

@manny_nuff / Phil Osopher Go and do them then instead of boring us.

[@msgoldberg]

@manny_nuff / Phil Osopher That would be the 'more important things' you peddled.

[@mikarissanen6598]

´Greetings from Finland I learned to follow baseball in 1986 when Mets playerd Redsox In the World Series. I was so rookie about baseball. I did very hard work learning about baseball. In 1987 I made my first trip to The States and my very first ballgame was at wrigley Field. Oh man I love this park, still my number one ballpark even after this I´ve been to The States from 1987 thru 1996, Just missed one year 1994. I managed to visit all major league ball parks except California. In 1989-1994 I manged to get see at least 30 or Mets games every year. After homestand I just kept following where they were going with away games. When they went back home I just went to see baseball like Royals Stadium, Milwaukee County-stadium , Seattle´s old Kingdome, When Mets went for road games I immediately followed their road. In St Louis Mackey Sasser regognized me and asked me where I have you seen before. We all laughed nad hang out together Adam´s mark hotell. Back to Mantle... on road I bought any baseball books what available in gas station. I bought Mickey´s book my favourite summer and The Mick. Then I just fell in love with Mickey. He´s truly All-American Kid from Commerce, Oklahoma. I never met him but I witnessed him at Yankees Stadium in 1989 or 90. A way fans at stadium reacted was so unbelieveable loud. Then I learned this kid from Oklahoma has got something special magic. Even as The Met fan I really love this man!

[@anna-theresekelly6424]

Mika Rissanen Thanks for sharing your passion with us baseball fans. I live in Rhode Island, and hope someday to visit your country. I am a big fan of Tuukka Raask and other Finnish ice hockey players. Do people play baseball in Finland?

[@larryl1427]

Good for you Mika. I love Wrigley Field too. I've been a Cubs fan for more than 60 years.

[@williamthompson9261]

I love it when a guy from Europe falls in love with baseball. You are a treasure! I don't understand why baseball hasn't caught on in Europe. When I hear someone say baseball is boring, it's typically from someone who hasn't played much and certainly has no understanding of the most complex, cerebral act in athletics: the confrontation between pitcher and hitter. Nothing like it In any sport! May you have many more years of watching the greatest game on Earth!

[@mikarissanen6598]

@manny_nuff / Phil Osopher you arent sports fan at all so why bother taking your very very valuable time over here. Cheers pal

[@melvinsmith4490]

,

[@wolfeatworld]

I was back from Vietnam & Shore Bombardment along the Saigon River 1 yr. earlier. I hadn't seen a game in Yankee Stadium for years. I don't know who to thank for my being there on that day, so long ago. Fate? God? In the end, It doesn't matter I suppose. I was. He did. I went alone that day, and have no one left to share that memory with. So I shared it with you. 😉

[@danski6694]

wolfeatworld god bless and thank you for your service from a fellow vet! 🇺🇸

[@desertdogg9773]

@MANCHESTER UNITED we don't care you keep soccer over on your little tiny Island we don't care we like baseball we don't care about soccer soccer yeah right G final score one to nothing final score to 2-1 final score 3-2 to soccer is boring you can have it keep it on your little Island

[@rondarling7778]

God bless!!!!

[@josephgeorge7385]

Thanks for your service

[@dougthegreat1808]

@MANCHESTER UNITED most powerful sport, too bad it is played by a bunch of cowardice sissies. We have all seen them respond when challenged by other sissies.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Two fans casually go onto the field to congratulate him and don't get pummeled by the gendarmes. Just ushered back into the stands. Classic.

[@jontupper9365]

today they would have been tackled

[@sstills951]

It looked like they were swiftly grabbed though.

[@atomix62t]

In 1967 a whole Lotta bad things hadn’t happened yet

[@kevinmiller6380]

@@jontupper9365 And probably kicked out of the ballpark.

[@gargantuangoose9098]

@@kevinmiller6380 with a story that they’d be able to tell their future grandchildren

[@LordofDublin4]

Boys & girls .... that's what true greatness looks like. No standing at home plate watching the ball fly, and no hot dogging it around the bases. Just grit, power, and talent. No elbow pads, no batting gloves, just a little pine tar on the bat handle. Thanks Mick for the memories. ⚾️⚾️⚾️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@rowdyrx6109]

LordofDublin4 Yup,nowadays just a bunch of overpaid “drama queens “

[@rogerwilliams5366]

Mantle was Class

[@ugiswrong]

Ok boomer

[@robertdiepold2242]

Hits HR, runs around the bases quickly with head down and no curtain call, those were the days -lol

[@kathyjohson1273]

Class act

[@marktusi5485]

Shut-up

[@richmonroe203]

Thats because men were men then. A few pats on the shoulder and applause. Class.

[@philmontejano5971]

No showboating required

[@philmontejano5971]

@@richmonroe203 back when the chrome was thick and the men were straight.

[@leonardgabella7899]

Believe it or not. Mantle still has the fastest time going from home to 1st on a drag bunt, and the longest home run in Baseball history. Dont let anyone tell you different

[@robertkelly6282]

He said the hardest hit bb was at yankee stadium it hit the upper facade a line drive missed by 6 inches of going out and landed back to the if

[@mickeydrago9401]

I remember they made a big deal about Michael Jordan being a baseball player after his dad died but I also remember that Mickey beat Michael Jordan to first base by a full second!

[@mickeydrago9401]

3.1 seconds but I'm guessing that's with a stopwatch and probably wasn't as fast as Altuve at 3.3 seconds, We have statcast now...

[@bconni2]

yeah.? prove it

[@tuxiekins]

@@mickeydrago9401 Altuve ?…. Maybe if he batted left handed. But I still doubt it I thought Ichiro in his prime was incredibly fast home to first.

[@Azishome]

Such a long time ago. He's still my hero.

[@billkammerzell9082]

He was hobbling. Those were sad days for 16 year old kids like me, watching him in the twilight of his career after seeing some of his best years.

[@chasbodaniels1744]

I agree, it was kinda pitiful to watch The Mick being like that.

[@davidbroughall3782]

Notice after that foul ball the catcher just threw the same ball back to the pitcher. Not like today where if it has a microscopic speck of dirt on it it's replaced.

[@PresidentGas1]

Yet the same ball can be hit around the field batter after batter ......... but if it somehow touches the ground while the pitcher is throwing to the catcher .... it has to leave the playing field. Just stupid on so many levels.

[@ryank5761]

@@PresidentGas1 they change the ball after every at bat... you don't know what you're talking about. A tiny scuff can greatly change the movement of the ball and give the pitcher an advantage.

[@tomkeane2992]

Yep, that caught my eye, too.

[@waydel4]

An umpire was talking about Jim Palmer. He said Jim would toss a ball simply because he didn't like something about it. The umpire said in one game after a foul ball he gave the catcher a new ball, Jim got it looked at it and threw it back, later in the inning he gave the same ball to the catcher and Jim rejected a second time.

[@PresidentGas1]

@@ryank5761 No they do not. Go to a game sometime and pay attention.

[@DrHogfan]

Wow Mick only stepped out of the box once(for about 3 seconds) and did not have any batting glove(s) to re-tighten after every freekin pitch. Unbelieveable

[@69zenos1]

And no sissy boy armor around the elbows or shin. No flap on the helmet.

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@69zenos1 The flap was made mandatory because of Tony Conigliaro...one of the most gruesome injuries in the history of sports. Conigliaro was almost killed.

[@69zenos1]

@@davidlafleche1142 Norm Cash only wore his playing hat.

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

@@davidlafleche1142 Ended his career.

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@69zenos1 Check out a video of the 1975 All Star Game: Carl Yastrzemski hit a home run off Tom Seaver, and he didn't wear a helmet. He had a Grandfather Clause, and wasn't required to wear one, though he usually did. The last MLB player to hit without a helmet was Red Sox catcher Bob Montgomery (1979).

[@bettechianese8055]

Always the true Yankee who played the game with class and dignity. .

[@mickeydrago9401]

Except when he was drunk 😉

[@mickeydrago9401]

@today is not yesterday Don't drink and play His "breakfast of champions" shortened his career There is a story where he was on the bench laying down with a hangover, They put them in to bat, He hit a home run and went back to the bench laying down...

[@travelinben1966]

The excitement you brought to baseball has rarely been repeated before or since.R.I.P. Mick.

[@K3vinF]

I was at the game with my wife. I still have the game ticket. Still breaks my heart.

[@mickeydrago9401]

Mickey will give you a hug when you make it to heaven, But you will have to wait in line because he is much beloved 😉

[@harpoon_bakery162]

what breaks your heart?

[@Brucev7]

@@harpoon_bakery162 Orioles fan

[@johnschuh8616]

Mantle knew that he was near the end of his career. So Number 500 was just a reminder that he would not be hitting many more out.

[@kieranorourke766]

I remember that day as if it was yesterday. Mickey Mantle was my hero. I still get goose bumps when ever I see him in action on the old videos. I was thrilled to meet him once.

[@lancebaker3132]

Casey Stengel said, "He's got more natural power from both sides than anybody I ever saw." His drag bunt from the left side was the best in the history of baseball.

[@AndersonDE7]

Ted Williams was a big fan of Mantle. He said during ain interview in mid-season in 1956 that he thought Mantle would be the next to have a batting average of .400. I remember that interview as I was a teenager in the New York area.

[@jerelkenworthy3368]

And the Mick could ran like a deer. He could ran around the bases with tremendous speed. Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth the greatest to ever play the game. Mickey liked to drink that was his downfall but this man could hit a ball while drunk or hung over. Just think how much more he could have contributed if alcohol hadn't entered the scene and even when it did Mickey was still the best in his day.

[@headshotsongs9465]

The knees and the NY nightlife cost him.

[@msgoldberg]

@@jerelkenworthy3368 His father and uncles had inherited diseases that took their lives. Mantle thought he would die you. Getting to the majors he felt the greatness would be ended in the horror of his disease. So... he drank and enjoyed his times. It took years off his game, his life. He had amongst the best natural attributes but unlike Henry Aaron, who kept himself fit and able to withstand the game, he never got to that seven hundred home run category. The remarkable thing was Henry Aaron did and he was never the great home run hitter that Mantle was.

[@anonymike8280]

@@jerelkenworthy3368 Mick was a prime player through about age 32. Many athletes have declined after that age. No guarantee that he would have held up better on a healthy regimen. Even Teddy Baseball declined after 32, though not so severely. He had that miracle year in 1957 though and another batting title in 1958 with limited plate appearance. Performance-enhancing substances play a large role in the career longevity of contemporary athletes. Some are illegal, some are in fact legal.

[@Uncletoast52]

140 gave thumbs down. How sad for them.

[@oogieboogie4702]

I was born seven years later, but I remember going to this game.

[@whiteclifffl]

Oogie Boogie Are you a god?

[@headshotsongs9465]

Don't we all?

[@timhoovermusicman]

You have a marvelous memory

[@bobsmoth-iv3sp]

i was born in 1959 Fact people younger than me said they went to Woodstock

[@whiteclifffl]

bob smoth They did... in their mother’s womb.

[@nyterpfan]

Anybody who doubts the pain that Mantle played with throughout his career---(especially in his later years)--should look at how he rounds the bases in this clip after hitting the homer!! Man---I feel pain just LOOKING at the guy!! He was truly hobbled---that guy had a ton of courage and heart!!

[@all66books]

Sadly, Mantle was a physical train wreck for a significant portion of his career. I can only imagine a healthy Mantle who took care of himself, and what THAT Mantle might have accomplished. But you can't change history. Like you said, heart and courage indeed. From what I've read, he shouldn't have even been playing in the condition he was in later in his career.

[@marknruthanglin2329]

..and yet ..he's still in the lineup ..RIP Mickey ..we miss you buddy ..

[@tedlorenty1903]

Pl

[@Quimby54]

all66books in his words......"If I had known I was going to live this long, I would've taken better care of myself."

[@charlesoliva8174]

He had begun to play first base in 1967. Joe Pepitone moved to center field.

[@bobcollazo1900]

Played with humility, grace and reverence for the game he loved and respected so much.

[@rogerwilliams5366]

Perfectly stated, Bob

[@davidmitchell6873]

He was half in the bag during this game.

[@johnburrows1179]

When men played the game. Mantle. Gehrig. Ruth. Cobb. Maris. Unsurpassed legends

[@robertlevine1344]

I was at the game with my parents; it was Mother's Day. All Mother's were given a gift of a gold plated charm with the NY Yankees inscribed on it. I wish I had the charm. It was a great day being there with my mother and father and seeing the Mick hit Number 500. I will never forget this game.

[@lincbond442]

Mantle wasn't very big by today's standards but he had tremendous power. Amazing to think of how much more he could have accomplished if he had been healthier and free of injuries.

[@alanfrable457]

Yes your right on injuries, how about CF 463!! Today’s ball barks are smaller. 600/650 he would have hit.

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

He wasn't very big back in his time either

[@johnschuh8616]

What he had was chronic. Even in high school he had some problems.

[@bornyesterday21]

I loved that old stadium.

[@1danrobbins]

How many Saturdays did I watch them, I sometimes wonder?

[@bornyesterday21]

Dan Robbins I went to the last game at the stadium Sept. 30, 1973. I took my seat home with me. I'm looking at it right now. A real seat, made out of wood and steel, not that plastic garbage....Sec. 33 Box 165E Seat 5.

[@1danrobbins]

flea sweep How awesome is that. You are one lucky, true fan.

[@bornyesterday21]

Dan Robbins ......And i know it's real, because i took it myself..I don't need no fake certificate of authenticity...lol

[@CouchPotatoNexTdooR]

flea sweep Would you take $500 for it?

[@dougpotosky4102]

Micky - Greatest swing in the history of Baseball!

[@jameshoran8]

I still love in 1968 as Denny McClain groved one to Mick and Pepitone wanting the same pitch and getting decked.

[@johngurlides9157]

McLain (no C). PS. I remember that too!

[@LightningDogg]

McLain was a 30 game winner but Lolich won 3 games in the Series to win for the Tigers that year. Good times.

[@sw5114]

@@LightningDogg Fabulous series.

[@mpaz48mo]

He was a wounded warrior, he tore up his knee on a sprinkler system in center field when only 19 years old and back then they had no idea how to reconstruct it. He would have been the greatest if that didn't happen.

[@ld5954]

Michael P - It didn't help that he was hung over most of the time either!

[@ld5954]

@Packfan69 As great as they both were, they could have been much better if they'd stayed sober! Actually, Mantle acknowledged how much greater he could have been had he not partied every night!

[@MikeyD22]

@@ld5954 Mantle partied so much because he thought he wasn't going to live past 40. His dad, grandfather, and uncle all died of Hodgkins Disease around 40. It ended up passing Mick and then taking the life of one of his sons.

[@jockellis]

Packfan69 The Vane had quit the high life by the time he hit 60 home runs. I met a man last week whose hotel job included an aging Mickey Mantle into a cab when the bar closed. People sat next to The Mick at the bar and didn’t know who he was.

[@edb6690]

Leon, I think the drinking was to dull the pain he was in daily. Most players stayed clear of pills, so drinking was the self medication of choice.

[@ozoz9582]

No pointing to the sky, no yelling like a banshee, no hip-hopping and posturing just pure class and greatness! A lost age…

[@suestephan3255]

No pointing to the sky, maybe cause he wasn’t Christian. God gives the ability, talent so don’t knock it. Not like doing a dance over 10 yard line.

[@speakingtruths4215]

@@suestephan3255Shut tf up with your religious bs

[@lj4et]

Is that a Christian ritual to point at the heavens? It's crass. Usually people kneel, look down or close their eyes. Like oz said, a lost age.@@suestephan3255

[@thomasriccardi9040]

I was 10 years old, watching on a small black and white tv in our kitchen...those were the days

[@vinsoriano1536]

No bat flip. No striking a pose. Head down around the bases. Respect. Sadly it no longer exists in the game today. Heartbreaking seeing him struggle with those knees rounding the bases

[@5IvanDrago5]

I also enjoyed the catcher tossing the 3-2 foul tip back to the pitcher rather then changing balls.

[@scottpollack1007]

Mickey, an INCREDIBLE BASEBALL TALENT AND HUMAN BEING! Very few Professional Sports Players that are as ICONIC as Mickey Mantle! He’s in a league of his own!

I think he hit the ball out of balance and still did something like this.That's how good he was.

[@timwolfers7880]

I saw him hit one of his last home runs in '68. He could barely jog by that point, but still put out a solid effort.

[@thejerseyj9422]

If "The Mick" hadn't destroyed his knee early in his career. And, if he had taken better care of himself than who knows how many more great years he could of had. Mickey Mantle was the fastest runner in baseball (when he was healthy). And nobody could hit the ball farther.

[@marbanak]

Agreed. On my all-time list, he is #3 after Ruth and Willie Mays. he could have climbed higher, If only ... If only ...

[@Pugovitsa46]

Even with the injuries and osteomyelitis, in his prime he was the fastest to first base in the bigs. Tom Groome

[@baldpianoguy3731]

As Casey Stengel said at the beginning of Mickey’s career, “He hits like Ruth and runs like Cobb!”

[@patrickfallon6192]

Ifs and buts we’re candy and nuts ........

[@davidharrison7014]

Why were the Yankees playing at Shea Stadium?

[@rvenneman]

How could over 200 people not like this?

[@rickkinki4624]

Mickey Mantle: 500 home runs, zero steroids!

[@rowdyrx6109]

Rick Kinki The present home run records are a disgrace and should be nullified

[@orbonds3603]

Zero steroids...yet bottles of greenies pain killers And in frerior pitching

[@ItsAlwaysRusty]

@@orbonds3603 Inferior pitching? Think Bob Gipson, Tom Seaver, Fergie Jenkins Jin Lonborg, Juan Marichal and on and on.. Remember the pitching was so dominant in the late 1960's that by 1969 the mound was lowered into give hitters a chance..

[@rowdyrx6109]

Christopher Hagee I’m just an old timer who thinks the steroids do an injustice to the old time “ clean” game

[@LightningDogg]

@@ItsAlwaysRusty Check out Gibson's stats in '68. Pretty sure he had a lot to do with them lowering the mound the next year, even though hitting was down overall. Maybe the most dominating year by a pitcher in modern times.

[@carloss3534]

I'm impress by the modesty of players of that time. Mantle got his 500th HR, a big achievement for any player in history, and he didn't made a gesture nor a celebration. For him it was another day at job.

[@martabaum3698]

Class act Mick … This is how it’s done … Thank you Forever !

[@johnmcdermott837]

Hey Houston- The Mick Never Wore A WIRE

[@gunsmoke6230]

John McDermott go fuck yourself 2017 World Series Champion Astros bitch !

[@24brownbess]

And probably hung over to boot!

[@fredapeeples6619]

@@gunsmoke6230 Triggered much?

[@johnmcdermott837]

Hey Gun Smoke, I was never a wire wearing "bitch" like you and altuve

[@DJL0455]

you mean The Houston Asterisks.

[@barbaramaier4758]

Casey Stengel said the Mick had the most pure talent of any player ever. He didn't come close to reaching his potential because he played his whole career on a torn ACL. Literally amazing!

[@maureen669]

My 10th birthday. At home with Grandpa and Ma TV blasting because Grandpa's deaf. I remember it vividly. Grandpa said He knows it's your birthday! I have no hearing problem but still blast the games 50 years later. Grandpa and Ma took me to my first game at 8 years old. Had to sit behind the beam. The cold clone building standing where Macombs Dam Park used to be is NY baseball sacrilege. Grandpa was at opening day in 1923. My New York is gone.

[@donwert]

My first trip to NYC was in August, 1966. I was 18 and it just so happened that the Friday I arrived the Yankees opened a series with my Detroit Tigers. The Yankees had a bad team and it was easy to get a good seat as a walk-up---I was 10 rows behind the Tigers third base dugout. McAuliffe and Cash homered and the Tigers took a 2-run lead to the bottom of the ninth. Hank Aguirre came in to close. Clete Boyer led off with a triple. Elston Howard singled him in---which brought up the pitcher's spot in those pre-DH days. Out of the Yankee dugout came Mantle to pinch hit---literally limping to the batter's box. Aguirre was a lefty, so Mickey batted right-handed. He waited on a slow curve and hit a walk-off HR to the opposite field into the short porch in right. At the time I was disappointed. But reflecting back I realized how special it was to see Mantle end a game with a pinch-hit HR in the original Yankee Stadium!

[@WJack97224]

It seemed my heroes would go on forever.

[@patrickbrowder6857]

I was 1 yrs old, but Brooks Robinson became my favorite player until Randy Jones and Ozzie Smith came around and then Jerry Coleman finished up a belove announcer in my hometown San Diego. Sorry I missed Mantle's reign. What I didn't miss was 70's baseball. What an era!

[@stickit1976]

Love how the fouled ball just got picked up and thrown back to the pitcher not a new ball after every throw

[@cmkilcullen8176]

wow - I didn't notice that until now.... amazing.

[@Richard-wu5ce]

kevin brooks so true! One of the most annoy aspects of the game today

[@antoyal]

I remember reading a trivia item on the back of one of my old baseball cards. Apparently there was a major league game played with a single ball--no replacements. If I remember correctly the game was in the 1960s and one of the teams was the Reds. The little drawing that went with the factoid showed a beat-up ball with the seams coming undone, heh. I remember being amazed by that when I read it as a kid, but now it seems downright unbelievable. I guess it could work with two starters having great games and *no* balls fouled into the stands? Still...

[@robertrock8778]

kevin brooks “One game, one baseball: The story of a rare minor league event. A professional baseball game was completed using only one baseball. The American Association's Kansas City Blues played the Columbus Senators on April 11, 1912, and neither team batted a ball into the stands or over the fence.”

[@lyndelld1]

Sounds like listening to it on AM radio - fading in and out.

[@hankkingsley2976]

Wow and flutter on a very old early video tape

[@dme1016]

A tie & jacket crowd. No overpriced team replica jerseys.

[@TotalMishap]

Tie and jacket.. I don't see any of that.

[@dme1016]

@@TotalMishap You're either blind, or 12 years-old. We KNOW that it was like that. And earlier, hats....everybody had hats. Not caps....HATS!

[@liduck52]

They weren't sold back then. Sports merchandising wasn't what it is now.

[@dme1016]

@@liduck52 I know that. Went to Yankee Stadium many times in the 60's. Even today, I wouldn't spend $ on team gear. I'm not on the team! And I ESPECIALLY wouldn't wear some other man's surname on my back. I'm proud to be a Dawkins, & to honor my father, & his father, & on & on....

[@Andy-lp4iz]

After 49 years, I finally got to see what only I had heard !

[@joekoe97]

We definitely live in awesome times :)

[@funnykid4012]

Met mantle at a show 2 years before he passed away got a ball signed he was nice joked a little with me and even shook my hand still have the ball today

[@loucontino4804]

I was 7 years old and my older cousin was so excited. He kept telling me to make sure I told all my friends at school the next day about Mickeys 500th Homer that day. It was a thrill even as a kid.

[@jeffstipp6872]

Watching this makes MY legs hurt! I once met a guy who went to this game; remembering how he was so proud and happy to have been there makes me smile when I see this!

[@TomMcIntyrecrna]

I was 13 in 1967, went to this game with some friends. Crowd went crazy when he hit the home run.

[@raulgonzales1374]

I was in the Army when this happened and I saw it on the T.V. of course in those days it was in black and white only. Great baseball player, the best ever.

[@othergary]

My first thought was, "I only saw it in black and white." 😀

[@georgesealy4706]

The Mick said, "If I knew I was going to live this long, then I would have taken better care of myself." I was able to see Mantle play at Yankee Stadium in 1961. They were 109-53 that year. Total domination.

[@SuperChuckRaney]

there are some clips on youtube of Micky telling stories about the greeat times he had. He tells one story about having a heart attack ...and the guy pushing him into the hospital asks for an autograph, Mick gave him one. Then he starts GLOWING and SMILING, he says "could have been my LAST ONE, can you imagine how much it might be worth? "

[@sw5114]

We saw him that year too. First and only time. Was the season of the great HR battle for domination by Maris and Mantle. Race for 60. Saw both get a home run against Washington Senators. Public was desperate for Mick to break Ruth’s record, but Roger wound up with his 61. And an asterisk(!) . Maris never got the deserved accolades for it though.

[@stanhutchins6592]

His swing through the zone is flawless, his stance in the box looks just like the King of swats

[@robertbateman2355]

Pure class. No Roids, no showboating or bat flipping. Simply the best.

[@eckhal2]

Missed it in 67 away in USAF - Keflavick NAS Iceland - NATO- 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron - Avionics Tech. Grew up in Northern NJ Yankees were the team still remember walking into the stadium when a kid.💯🇺🇸

[@stevencorwin4950]

Mantle was one of the most popular player's ever.

[@mightymo1961]

What an awesome sight. And the shift....in 1967.

[@anthonypiscione8163]

A CLASS ACT ALL THE WAY, ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS

[@mickeydrago9401]

18 home runs in World series play, arguably the greatest record

[@tommyboy71]

Total class. A blue collar, nose to the grind, baseball player.

[@mattpeckham667]

Imagine what Mick would have done if he hadn't struggled with all those injuries. All that...and still one of the greatest ever...

[@pac401]

For all those people who thought the infield shift was a new thing. The Orioles were doing it against Mickey in 1967.

[@chasbodaniels1744]

Yeah! I don't recall that at all. Very surprised to hear Jerry Coleman describe that.

[@dr.anderson5320]

pac401 Dave Kingman in the late 1970's had a shift put on him by many teams.

[@ScienceTalkwithJimMassa]

The first hitter of any significance that an infield shift was used against was Ted Williams. He was a notorious pull hitter, and defenses would move the infield around to minimize ground singles.

[@Dave-lr2wo]

New thing? Who thinks it's a new thing? Shifts are part of baseball. We shifted in LITTLE LEAGUE more than 30 years ago. Oh, are you talking about clueless Millennials and younger? Yeah, they know nothing.

[@ScienceTalkwithJimMassa]

***** Yes, it was called the Williams shift. If I recall correctly, sometimes the outfield was also shifted, moving the left fielder to left, center and having the center fielder and right fielder closer together to minimize any balls hit up the gap. I saw Ted play towards the end of his career. He was a formidable hitter right up till his last swing, HR #521.

[@lawnmowerman7]

I like how the crowd all clapped at the same time for him!

[@johncaputo9965]

I was a Dodger fan, but by gosh Mickey Mantle's home run trot was the best ever in baseball!

[@davemarnell8871]

That's gotta be the most expensive baseball in history.

[@mickeydrago9401]

Fashion designer Mark Ecko purchased Bonds' record-breaking 756th home run ball in an online auction for $752,467. But perhaps more interesting is the fact that Ecko had an asterisk laser-engraved onto the ball before it was put on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame."

[@quesocfh6080]

I was born in 1981. I grew up in the St. Louis suburbs and have been a diehard Cardinals fan since before I can remember. I share the same birthday as Stan Musial. My favorites obviously are Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock, Yadier Molina, and Albert Pujols...plus a good many others but moving on...the Wizard was and still is my absolute favorite as he was who I grew up watching as I fell in love with the sport. But seeing the clips like this of the old Yankees greats are really tough to top as some of the best moments in baseball...say what you will about his health and condition at the time, but watching the Mick running the bases of his 500th HR here, being born 14 years after it happened, it's just fantastic. It's hard to admit as a Cardinals fan because the Cards do have some of the all time legends to their credit, while trailing only the Yanks in World Series success. However the Yankees have by far the richest baseball history. Going back a bit further in time from this clip, and aside from the greatest ever Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig in particular pulls at my heartstrings any time he is shown or even mentioned in any capacity whatsoever. I vividly remember being very young and watching "Pride of the Yankees" with my father (himself a Met's fan since their inception, and NY Giants before that) and him telling me that even though it was just a movie, that Gehrig was in real life a person you could look up to, even if he was a bit of a momma's boy. That Gehrig Farewell address...the real version or the almost as powerful movie version...Jesus it's heavy. I really don't know how this post got so long...and had no point at all really...I just love baseball and its history and get carried away. Love this video!

[@davidjames5640]

you should write a book!!!!!!!

[@johnmarass3021]

Mantle being from Oklahoma should have been Cardinal property all along which is the irony of the Yanks losing his last World Series to them. Though I saw it coming a mile away.

[@scotta6823]

QuesoCFH absolutely beautiful post bud

[@jeffgreen3376]

Lou Brock was awesome. The guy batted .400 every season and led the league in stolen bases. I used to love to watch him steal bases and I was a Dodgers fan.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

I cut my eyeteeth on Cardinals' radio broadcasts in the late '50s-early '60s with the late great Harry Carry calling the games and Jack Buck (father of the current abomination) doing the color. Stan Musial was close to retirement but I was always thrilled when he came up to bat, and he did hit a few more homers in his last season. I couldn't stand watching the so called "CBS Saturday Game of the Week" (the only tv coverage at the time) when 5 out of 6 games would be those g'damn Yankees.

[@josephlemko3027]

Thanks for showing this clip. The man was great player. I wish the game still had players like The Mick, Roberto, Hank, Willie & Sandy. 😢

[@josephhoman5494]

To whomever posted this video,i thank you very much.Its really nice to see mickey do what he did best.If it wasnt for youtube i probaly would never have seen mantle hit his 500th homerun,or other classic baseball moments.

[@ElkArrow]

Best baseball player of all time. You can clearly see he was in serious pain during this at bat

[@topixfromthetropix1674]

I was watching this on TV when it happened, it was great. Mantle and Maris home run derby was the best show in town in the 60's and Bobby Richardson was from a town very close to my hometown. If you're in the NYC area, there is a steakhouse over on Hwy 17 in Jersey that a lot of the Yankees hung out at called Steve's Sizzling Steaks, there are pictures of many of the Yankees with Steve including Whitey Ford, Boyd Dowler, Maris and Mantle, Yogi Berra and more. I've traveled most of my life and I cannot say I ever had a better steak, in America or in the world.

[@ZavnorZ]

A lot of love shown by the fans. Love it. Watching him limp around the bases is terrible; he and Tom Tresh both suffered in 1967. But I remember in 1968, his last year, Mantle's legs were pretty healthy, and he beat out a few drag bunts and even stole 6 bases.

[@martystorer527]

I was there 7/10/68 when he hit two homers--both flies down the line, one to each side, but they counted. I think one even went into the first row of seats over the 296 sign. Fans were fighting each other hard to grab one of his fouls.

[@johnnyangel3683]

Marty Storer old timers day!

[@murcer88]

love Brooks Robinson just standing there with his arms tightly folded as Mantle passed by---almost as cool as Mickey....

[@bobtucker8705]

thomas ridner The Mick was....well the Mick but Brooks Robinson is just as loved by Oriole fans as Mick was to the Yanks. Both first rate hall of famers and Brooks wrote the book on playing 3rd I seen Brooks play and seen all the 3rd baseman since and nobody compares to Brooks.

[@publiusx6703]

@@bobtucker8705 Ditto that, Bob Tucker. Nobody--before or since--has played third as well as Brooksie...

[@wallyohrel9086]

My no. One player in the world ❤ love you's 'mick '❤⚾️⚾️⚾️

[@robertbateman2355]

No bat flipping and standing to admire your home run , just pure class from the Mick

[@iamrichrocker]

at his prime, the Mick was the fastest guy...think he set a record for speed to first base....RIP Mick...

[@oleflogger6828]

Yes, as I recall, he did it in 3.1 seconds. I was, maybe, 10 years old (1953)?

[@cmkilcullen8176]

fastest one out of the box running to first base, I've heard it said...

[@lar7905]

RED SOX fan here. I remember the same stat, hearing it in the 60's. That is an astounding speed. Love watching him swing. His stance with the hips slightly cocked and the hands and arms in close wth the reminds me of somebody.

[@Scoclamor]

RIP to the pitcher who gave up the blast, Stu Miller! Lead the NL in saves in 1961 and the AL in 1963, Also led the NL in ERA in 1958, with the Giants!

[@stockvaluedotcom]

Sports History Channel Miller threw more junk than your average McDonald's employee. But he sure could make batters look foolish.

[@jadlersen8709]

He was an excellent pitcher. RIP

[@JamesDeanRivera]

He could have been a hall of famer

[@browndog5321]

Sports History Channel andjnJenny

[@smokypatton7588]

No, not off the mound, but he was behind the stands before the game.