Mickey Mantle 1969 - Mickey Mantle Day, Yankee Stadium, 6/8/1969, WPIX-TV

YanksAtShea is VERY proud to present the complete telecast of the greatest of all NY Yankee Retirement Ceremonies, Mickey Mantle Day 1969 as aired over WPIX-TV in New York on Sun. June 8, 1969. This was the second tribute given to Mantle (the first was presented before his retirement in August of 1965). This one, though, is by far the better of the two. It's a superb ceremony as written and choreographed by Yankee PR head Bob Fishel. Watch Frank Messer's superb turn as emcee (with a Bob Sheppard introduction) to the NINE minute(!) ovation given to Mickey after being introduced by Mel Allen ("How about that??"). And all telecast from the real and original Yankee Stadium. Sit back, enjoy, and even shed a tear for the Mick on this his greatest day (and he looks fantastic!). Pat Summerall is behind the WPIX microphone.

[@JSC-1971]

Never seen a standing ovation this long ever!!! THE MICK!

[@donreed]

No one in today's GREEDY, self-centered and obnoxious baseball will EVER get an ovation such as this good man once did. Thank you.

[@erwinmonti5066]

No other athlete will ever get or will deserve to get this kind of ovation. Most athletes in this day and age think they are such great players but in fact they couldn't shine this man's shoes.. This man didn't play the game this man was the game.

[@steveisgood2go]

Bob Sheppard , Mel Allen, Phil Rizzuto, Frank Messer, Pat Summerall ... these guys voices still echo in my head. Best memories ever!

[@garfieldrupe630]

This may sound childish but I cry Every time I watch this. That is what Mickey meant to me.

[@LaMostraVia]

The ovation for Mickey that day was Unbelievable. He always said this was his greatest memory in baseball and I could see why!

[@MrYankeesfan21]

Bob Sheppard is the best public address announcer in history.

[@elevenb1933]

They don’t make them like Mickey anymore. #7. Just great.

[@tomfreese5190]

Perhaps the longest standing ovation I’ve ever seen. Wow.

[@williamdunphy352]

9 minutes it lasted.

[@louisbobola374]

Watch Bobby Orr nite

[@riv4545]

Bobby Orr's retirement was equally impressive! Think how crazy the ovation would have been if the ceremony were held in an arena?!?

[@jayclarke5466]

I remember watching it live, ovation would’ve got a lot longer but they cut in on the mic and made announcements

[@b-zoneonroku2020]

@@louisbobola374 the closing of Montreal Forum is right up there for the 9 minute ovation for Maurice Richard.

[@stephenfricke9298]

I have a 45 record of the broadcast. My uncle went and gave it to me. 18 minute ovation for my baseball hero. Great player, great teammate, after baseball I understand he had SOME dark days

[@moboutmen]

Every time, EVERY DAMN TIME, I convince myself that THIS time, I won't choke up when Mel Allen calls Mick from the dugout.

[@user-yu6mn5jq6h]

and mel allen was also the best

[@moboutmen]

@@user-yu6mn5jq6h How About That !!??

[@leftykoufax7084]

I'm convinced the crowd would have cheered all night for the Mick, wow!

[@williamforde6978]

My favorite player of all time.

[@sgtjeff56]

At 16, I was a vendor selling soda in the upper deck at the stadium that day. I stopped selling and watched the whole ceremony.

[@willdrucker4291]

+Jeff Rosen I would imagine at that moment in time there weren't many fans buying soda...lol....lucky kid

[@damianfurino3691]

Jeff Rosen Good for you!

[@jasonkim8410]

Those are the true baseball fans accompanied by the voice of radios, very powerful then. With an arrival of TV and the emergence of internet media like KZbin, baseball is no longer America's pastime, Football is.

[@bobheck7303]

My first game ever (13, '67?, Anaheim, Ca) Mick homered right handed where the 'big A' used to be. Biggest thrill ever!

[@WaltGekko]

@@jasonkim8410 Football really overtook baseball after the 1994 strike.

[@tomscerbo1588]

I remember this day Great time to be a kid, in the summer of 69.

[@dougpotoksky5415]

WOW! No words for this amazing tribute. Micky gave me hope to live .My family was huge Yankee and Mantle fans. My dad died when I was 16. He would take the family to watch Mickey play at Yankee stadium.Thank you so much Mickey for all the years!

[@JohnDavis-nx8hh]

I was sitting in the bleachers that day.

[@vlugovsky]

@@JohnDavis-nx8hh That must have been a truly wonderful experience.

[@jadezee6316]

Mickey was the only person i ever idolized growing up.....what a moment in time here

[@JohnDavis-nx8hh]

Frank Messer , Phil Ruzzuto , Bill White. What a broadcasting tio.

[@redriverwave]

Mickey Mantle was the embodiment of the greatest era in baseball history. I gather from the history of where the Yankees franchise was by the summer of 1969, that the passing memory of Mickey and his great era must have been brought all the fans to great cheer and lament.

[@Tony-hz8ld]

Frank Messer- Yankee voice- One of the best

[@DrDoom-wo8hb]

As someone who wasn't around in 1969 (born in 1977), I think it's cool seeing the old Yankee Stadium prior to its renovation (1974-75). And I'm an Angels fan! Can I admit that I like the old Yankee Stadium better than the renovated version (1976-2009)? Seats down to ground level, with low outfield walls (save dead center), long walkways in the outfield to the subways (?) and a better view of the buildings of the South Bronx. I also love the long pillars throughout the stadium. Thanks for providing great memories for your fans!

[@SkyDawg108]

I was there. The pinnacle of an otherwise-misspent youth. The ovation was thunderous. And richly deserved. RIP, #7.

[@joelsanoff8228]

I was a kid growing up in NY right at the time Mickey came to the Yankees. He meant so much to kids, and through my job many years later I was able to meet him. Such a thrill. He signed a photo I brought to work, knowing he would be there.

[@larryphillips6793]

I first saw Mickey play in about 1950. He was the hard-hitting shortstop for the Joplin Miners. Even in those days, there was lots of talk about what a great player he was. He lived up to all the expectations.

[@johnpelliccia.7188]

Watched it live back then more impressive now as time passes and we lose more and more heroes

[@macktolliver3853]

@John Pelliccia. O

[@jayclarke5466]

I think the Mick hit like .381 that year @ Joplin

[@smokeyhotch4321]

I was there that day. Sat in the upper deck. Not an empty seat in the park. I still have the pennant that was given out that day. The greatest ball player I have ever seen.

[@boblindner3371]

I was there as well and took a picture of Mickey in the cart as he came towards home plate!

[@drbobperkins]

for me, there is no figure in sports like Mickey Mantle...the romance, the way he encapsulated childhood for so many....he was the personification of shared glory. It (was) larger than life.....a flawed masterpiece. So much of life was embodied in Mickey Mantle.

[@jaketanner20001]

We used to fight over getting number 7 baseball Jersey on our little league teams back in the 1960's.We all wanted to be a switch hitter just like Mickey. He was a true baseball hero to all of us kids.

[@howie9751]

I became a NY Rangers fan when I first turned on a game and saw rookie Gilbert wearing Mantle's #7.

[@catsarereallycool]

How can you not love Mickey Mantle? What a great and well deserved tribute. The fans were great. Thank you for posting.

[@vlugovsky]

Growing up I loved this guy! HE had so much raw talent that it truly was amazing! (of course I was a lot younger myself). :)

[@catsarereallycool]

Look how humble Mr. Mantle is. What a class act. Thank you so much for posting this video.

[@aprilosborn1886]

Yeah he was always that same ah shucks kinda guy, fame didn't change that

[@raymondlowry8564]

I was and have been a life long (I’m 68) Dodger fan so I obviously not much of a Yankee booster. However, who didn’t love Mickey Mantle? After Sandy Koufax, Mickey remains my all time favorite ball player!

[@julioflores8468]

The Mick, there will never be another one like him. I have watched this with tears coming down my face. Julio

[@ronpeter3]

My brother and I were there, screaming, tears dripping down our cheeks. It was so loud our ears were ringing for days, and our voices were hoarse for weeks. We idolized the Mick, who was such an inspiration for us to play through pain, and have empathy for your opponent. He was a perfect gentleman on the field. Off the field, maybe not so much

[@mrfk9d]

A treasure...The Mick # 7 a power switch hitter like no one in baseball. Thanks for this priceless video.☆☆☆☆☆

[@gregshafer1606]

Goosebumps to be able to see this again so many years later! The Mick is eternal.

[@richascolese480]

Was there for that “Day to Remember”. Took 5 minutes of 8mm movies all with shaking hands. Glad this was posted.

[@JustinVerlander35]

The Mick is my all time favorite player. Thanks for this.

[@howie9751]

My favorite all time athlete/

[@stevenance7369]

I don’t think any athlete or entertainer has ever gotten that kind of love in history...

[@bobbyskulls9807]

No doubt the longest Standing Ovation I've ever witnessed

[@joeshmoe7789]

Thank You. I heard this on the radio when I was 9 years old, had to be at a party at a park. I remember the ovation. First time I ever saw it. Yogi was there, it was at the time of one of his boycotts of the Yankees.

[@rhelob]

I attended both Mickey Mantle Days. Just a head's up. He had the first Mickey Mantle Day on September 19, 1965. It was a double-header against the Detroit Tigers and Mickey played in the first game. And the second, of course, was on June 8,1969.

[@timrobinson9657]

My father made me watch this we lived in the Chicago area and a huge White Sox fan who the Yanks were playing that day. It was one of my first real baseball history lessons to watch this I am so glad my father made me watch this moment

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

1:39 "Your attention please......" THAT IS THE VOICE OF GOD! The 1 & only Bob Sheppard!!!!!!

[@ENTERTAINMENT35]

Absolutely

[@lancebaker1374]

Let's not be sacrilegious.

[@bamafan62]

@MANCHESTER UNITED soccer sucks....if it's so great....why are you watching a baseball video?

[@howie9751]

@@lancebaker1374 He's quoting Reggie Jackson.

[@VolumedMusicMan]

The ovation was electric! So many fantastic moments the fans recalled from Mickey in their applause. I don't know how the fans applauded to Ruth and Gehrig in their ceremonies, but they were passionate here.

[@toscodav]

Much more somber for Ruth and Gehrig since they were both in poor health. Ruth needed a cane to stand up and he was only 50 yrs old. Both died within month's of their ceremonies. Much sadder occasion. Mel Allan participated in Babe's ceremony also.

[@howie9751]

@@toscodav Gehrig dies two years later.

[@TillerSeeker]

When I was a boy in the 1950's and 1960's, like so many other NYC Metropolitan area boys of that era, I was a big time NY Yankees fan; and baseball--but most especially Mickey Mantle--was everything to me! I just loved Mickey Mantle! I had both a Mickey Mantle bat and glove, and I taught myself to be a switch hitter! Naturally, I was very sad when I learned in 1969 that Mickey Mantle would soon retire! On June 8th 1969, just prior to my High School graduation, I was in the outfield stands at Yankee Stadium for Mickey Mantle Day! It was surreal--one of the most moving experiences of my life! I had little expectation that I could ever top or eclipse that most special day, and I vowed to never again return to Yankee Stadium. To this day, I've remained true to my word!

[@jeffreyamster6020]

There will only be one #7. Simply the Greatest!

[@beakt]

What a great crowd. Chills.

[@michaeldillon1027]

The great Mickey Mantle and he was always so humble, so down to earth. My baseball hero.

[@emg8810]

Had the good fortune to get tickets at the last minute. Sat in the rightfield upper deck with my Mother. I still have the special 45 plastic recording given out to the fans. The Stadium rocked. The cheering and applause went on and on. It was deafening! June 8., 1969 (better than when he was inducted into the HOF -- yep, I was there too) was a great day, a great celebration for one of the greatest players in baseball history.

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

Mickey Mantle - A class act and one of the top all-time baseball greats.

[@michaelfr613]

What love and respect demonstrated by the crowd. Beautiful how Mickey mentioned Gehrig's words. Thanks for posting.

[@pwnycny]

First, this video is a significant historical document. Second, if any baseball park warranted being designated an historical landmark and preserved as is, it was the original Yankee Stadium.

[@huskyjerk]

+pwnycny Appalling that it was torn down. At least the upper deck façade should be on display somewhere.

[@sgtjeff56]

+huskyjerk I was a vendor in the old stadium and was very upset when they rebuilt it in the 70's so you can imagine how I felt when they tore it down and replaced it with a shopping mall that happens to have a baseball field in it. I still haven't been to the new stadium which shouldn't be called Yankee Stadium and have no desire to go there. Also feel the same way about Roosevelt Raceway.

[@sgtjeff56]

+pwnycny I was a vendor in the old stadium and was very upset when they rebuilt it in the 70's so you can imagine how I felt when they tore it down and replaced it with a shopping mall that happens to have a baseball field in it. I still haven't been to the new stadium which shouldn't be called Yankee Stadium and have no desire to go there. Also feel the same way about Roosevelt Raceway.

[@jmsweeney1]

I have vowed since the old stadium was torn down that I would never set foot in the new stadium. I have kept my word. The stars that walked on that grass. They tore down sacred ground in my opinion. Furthermore, my great uncle, Jack Bentley, pitched off that mound in the '23 world Series as a player with the New York Giants.

[@dme1016]

@@sgtjeff56 Stop whining, Jeff. You csn only put lipstick on a pig so many times. The Yankees are the biggest draw in baseball, so why SHOULDN'T they have a new stadium? The old stadium was historic, but it was a dump. The ghosts moved to the new one, & helped win a champinship in the first frickin' year! We muss the atmosphere & memories, but it was time for it to go. If it had stayed, empty, as a historic landmark, that would've been untenable, re security, maintenance, etc.

[@MrLehnerd]

still is greatest Mickey Mantle will be always will be.....great color too for than...so glad this treasure is gold!

[@qbanmanny3]

I came from Cuba in 1961as a very young boy and very quickly became an awesome fan of MICKEY MANTLE... He is THE GREATEST !!!

[@syourke3]

I was there when Mickey hit that dramatic pinch hit home run in August, 1963, after missing most of the season with injuries. He got an ovation that must have lasted a full ten minutes. I was only nine years old and I had to stand on my seat in order to see.

[@philipbaroni6322]

The crowd tells the story nothing more to add. Went there with two of my friends from High-school he was the best when healthy I ever seen!

[@nyterpfan]

WOW!! Just LISTEN to that ovation for Mantle!! How can you not get chills hearing that!! I don't know if there has ever been an athlete that captured the hearts of fans like he did!! It's really a fascinating phenomenon. I think Bob Costas explained it about as well as anyone in his superb eulogy when he stated that basically Mantle came of age when television came of age in America---and was a dynamic player with enormous power (and a very photogenic guy to boot) while playing for the most glamorous team in sports. Add to that perhaps the greatest baseball name ever (man, doesn't just the NAME Mickey Mantle scream "boyhood hero") along with a boyish kid from the sandlots charm and you have all the ingredients for a God-like legend!!

[@williamdunphy352]

nyterpfan The ovation was for 9 minutes. 9 minutes. That's an eternity. Michael Burke was drowned out by the standing ovation.

[@joerhoden4919]

I admire the Mick even more for trying to overcome his sins and short comings. Yes,I cried here. He could have been much,much greater if he hadn't stepped on that sprinkler in the outfield. I pull for a dynasty:Alabama football. Are you a Maryland fan,with "terp" being in your moniker? Bear Bryant's first head coaching job was at Maryland.

[@nyterpfan]

@@joerhoden4919 Did hard Maryland Terp fan for almost 50 years!! I STILL haven't gotten over Maryland losing to NC State 103-100 in the 1974 ACC Tournament. Len Elmore, Tom McMillan, Owen Brown, John Lucas, Mo Howard--WHAT a friggin AWESOME team--so heartbreaking they couldn't even get into the NCAA tournament because of that loss. (Been to psychologists, priests, witch doctors--NOBODY can ease the pain LMAO!!)

[@joerhoden4919]

I'm almost 55 and was just starting to follow sports then. Maryland did have one fine team in 1974.Tommy Mac was solid for the Hawks and later became a congressman. Now Mo Howard might have been the weak link on that club (LOL!!!!!!!!! Moe Howard was one of the 3 Stooges).You had to win the conference title then to get in the NCAA. Only 32 made it. They shouldn't have had a conference tournament then,because the regular season title carries more weight with more games! NC State had a lot of luck AND skill in '74 and '83. Shifting gears,I believe 2020 Alabama football might have been the greatest college team ever. At the very,very least,the best offense ever! The defense hung tough giving up only 19.4 per game in this up tempo era with no cupcakes on the schedule. Now Bama made a lot of their opponents look like cupcakes. We beat 11 SEC teams and 2 Northern powers to bag the championship. Hey,Alabama and Tennessee play in 30 minutes.Man,I wish the Tide could win a National Title in my lifetime!!!!!!! I just found out we were retroactively named 1930 National Champs in hoops. Hope we claim it and hang a banner,along with one here in '21! Again,that Mantle tribute made me cry. I fully respect the Yankees,though I pull for the Braves. God bless you. Richard Rhoden from Alabama

[@joerhoden4919]

Sir,I really thought Maryland would play Alabama tough tonight. We got sizzling hot on 3 pointers. Still think we take too many 3s. UCLA will be mighty tough,because you can't give a blue blood program even a slither of daylight! Look at Syracuse now and in 2016 and 2018. I really think the Terps should have stayed in the ACC. Hope Maryland football will continue to improve with former Tide assistant Coach Mike Locksley and Tagaviola at quarterback. Richard Rhoden

[@user-tv8mg2vh5f]

My idol when I was a young boy in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. Actually, he still is and I’m 75 now!

[@jiveassturkey8849]

The legendary Pat Summerall announcing. How can this video be more perfect?

[@MarkTitus420]

I would have been too young but I never realized how big Mantle was. He seemed as loved as Beatles, maybe even more with all those screaming fans - sounds like the Shea stadium concert. Growing up a little kid in the 70's, I didn't even think Mickey was a real person because I only say his face on baseball cards. He was so great that I thought he was a cartoon superhero character. I was very much mistaken - one of the greatest people and baseball players ever!

[@rpc717]

Exactly! We knew the name Mickey Mantle meant greatness, but the name was so cool and the legend so great it seemed certain he had to be fictional.

[@MegaMike2021]

Holy smokes. Can't believe I can watch the whole thing....Again! I was there on that day. I was 3 weeks away from my 13th birthday with my little brother. Sat in the very last row of the lower stand, first base side. A really amazing day. It's amazing to hear Frank Messer's voice again. But also amazing to hear Pat Summerall commenting from the booth. It would be another dozen years before he would team up with John Madden, the two becoming one of the greatest broadcasting duos of all time.

[@JohnyReb43]

I got to see him play at Yankee Stadium!

[@superbrownbrown]

Baseball Immortals. Period.

[@Brammy007a]

I was there..... age 15. Great memories.

[@user-pr9dc2es3u]

I was there in 1969 with my kid brother God rest his soul what a memory my nephew still has a scorecard from that day I believe they lost to the twins

[@brassfield]

I wish I could have been there. One of the greatest sports moments in history

[@ricklarose7002]

I was there that day sitting in Section 12 along the third base line, a nine year old with my Mom and my aunt and uncle all of whom were the ultimate Yankees fans. Watching this was like being there all over again. The following year at one particular Yankees game I was there where all fans got a small record with the audio of the ceremony. One of my most treasured mementos. As a side note, am I the only one who misses when the announcers moved from the television coverage to the radio and then back again depending on the inning?

[@KareemPilot]

I've always loved this... I was born way later so I loved Reggie and Guidry and Mattingly, Winfield, Rickey etc growing up but this footage has always been awesome to see because you truly sense how beloved he really was in The Bronx... They are cheering for an icon, a virtual winning machine, a man who brought them joy... the deafening roar gives you chills... a beautiful moment right up there with Gehrig's tearful farewell and Ruth near death putting on his old uniform one last time

[@RichMansour]

Was there!! Sat in mezzanine by first line.Still have program 'A day to remember.Best day ever..

[@robertewalt7789]

I was in the lower deck, first base line. I took my kid brother, a birthday present for him, but he was a Mets fan.

[@NYVoice]

I saw Frank Messer, Thurman and Ron Klimkowski at the Amityville train station on Long Island for a personal appearance during the summer of 69. Munson had on his full uniform (a rookie working his way up). And yes Frank Messer was a great announcer.

[@dzanier]

he was a fantastic announcer. you're so right. ron klimkowski came to the yanks from the sox in the elston howard trade.

[@rxpro19]

?? if tresh was still there in '69....and munson was a rookie...did munson wear another number?

[@davidr5961]

Frank was a great announcer; for so many years, i loved him, doing the games with White, and Rizzuto

[@adamredfield]

This was a great day. I was there with my father. I was 9. Believe it or not, we got tickets the day of the ceremony/game. I was (and still am) a Yankee fan but my father was a Yankee hater and even he got choked up.

[@bowzer7500]

I was there, the crowd loved The Mick!

[@thomashartman1998]

Poor guy was embarrassed by one of the longest loudest standing ovations in Yankees history. He was put at ease when Whitey mentioned the occasional strikeout.

[@joemanpjg]

The pride of the Yankees....Mickey Mantle...

[@charlesmiddleton3247]

Growing up as a kid in the mid 60's and playing baseball, the "Mick" was my hero... even though I lived near the Detroit area. Had my chance to get his autograph after a Tigers/Yankees game one Summers day in 1966 I believe. You could go right up to the door of the visiting team bus back in those days waiting for the players on the street to get on. I had gotten a number of Yankee autographs prior to Mickey getting on the bus along with an auto of Joe Garigiola and as he approached, I asked if he would sign my scorecard, but he was reluctant to sign, but I got that close to him that day and I cherish that moment as a 13 year old baseball kid. Still have the score card with Whitey Ford autograph and others. Sure miss those days at the ballpark and my brief moment with #7.

[@melD0217c]

I understand. Those fans COULDN'T stop applauding - they had to express the only way they could what Mickey meant to them in their lives. It makes perfect sense. They just couldn't stop.

[@miraclebigevent142]

My Mom bought five tickets for me and four of my friends (two were Mets fans) from Bankers Trust. We sat in the right field upper deck. I'm getting goose bumps writing this. It was one of the greatest days in Yankee Stadium... and it was a great speech. I met him about 15 years later, by accident, at the Consumer Electronics Show at the ColecoVision booth. I was a tech reporter covering the event. Coleco was introducing a new baseball video game for its game system. I had an afternoon appointment to interview a couple of execs, but when the show opened around 10 am or so I passed the big booth and a PR exec waved me over and said, "Would you like to meet Mickey Mantle?" My face must've feel because she turned around to her assistant and laughed, "Wow, Steve looks like a little boy!" I was ushered into the back of the booth and the ladies went to get a Polaroid camera (it was the mid 1980s) to get a pic of us. I spent four or five minutes talking with Mickey Mantle, my boyhood hero. He was nice, polite and humble. Wonderful guy. Thanks for posting.

[@ronaldreddish2264]

Longest ovation in history for anyone, anytime, anyplace. Mick had to cut it short.

[@mmcneil777]

You can see why he was so popular and beloved. Very charismatic man who had a lot of love, to go with his great talent.

[@Hollowhalf17]

I wish this stadium were still around

[@catsarereallycool]

You can truly feel the fans love and appreciation.

[@hoopsheavenpa]

Great video! One of the many things which made Mickey great was how great of teammate he was. Mickey treated rookies great and took them under his wing. That's something DiMaggio knew nothing about.

[@rxpro19]

joe d was a prick....I read somewhere he charged the yanks to come and throw out first pitches

[@JohnDavis-nx8hh]

I was sitting in the bleachers the night DiMaggio's hitting streak came to an end. Bob Feller ended his streak. Great hurler.!

[@uncjim]

I never watched the whole ceremony until now...WHEW!

[@ExclusiveLM]

this video showed that to dead center in the old Yankee Stadium was over 460 feet. Mickey could still easily hit a homer over that fence. My dad always said how much Mickey Mantle was loved by baseball fans. Today watching this video for the first time I truly realize what dad was talking about. Yankee fans don't easily cheer that long and that hard for just anybody. That was incredible !!

[@vlugovsky]

Can you just imagine his total homerun count if the fences were at the depth they are today?!?!? What? 800+ homers?

[@bobheck7303]

No one was more exciting to see hit than Mantle. My first game he homered in Anaheim ('68), the best thing I ever saw! I can't imagine what New York got to see in his prime. His swing was perfection and power. God bless Marilyn and the boys (men).

[@howie9751]

Who's Marilyn?

[@mystic7splace]

I was there too! Me and about 8 friends and my brother. We sat in the second deck (mezzanine?) right in line with the 3rd base bag. In the Sunday Daily News centerfold there was a picture of Mickey as they drove him around the field, and in the background I could see myself, I had a distinctive shirt and I was the only one standing. But I could never find that picture online. Yeah, it was a great day I'll never forget. One of our friends uncle was a groundskeeper, he's in this video!

[@SeahawksBamBamKam]

This is so cool, Legendary stuff right here

[@jeffreykoran4820]

7 HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY LUCKY NUMBER 🎉

[@spryfolII]

One day we'll have a moment like this in Camden Yards.

[@MrKTVM]

Yankee announcer Frank Messer, when introduced, received some booing here in 1969. He was an outsider when he was hired from Baltimore in 1968. He replaced Joe Garagiola. But Messer went on to be one of the Yankees classic announcers. Messer should be honored with a plaque by the Yankees.

[@DMR4736]

I always enjoyed listening to Messer, Bill White, and the Scooter; great broadcasts

[@toscodav]

Messer is an outsider? So is the whole yankee team. MM is from Oklahoma if you want to get technical sparkle nuts.

[@MrKTVM]

"Sparkle Nuts?" Do I know you? (Shrugs)

[@MrKTVM]

If anyone was an outsider, Michael Burke was. He was an egotist who also worked at Madison Square Garden. No teams improved over the years and finally...George Steinbrenner forced him out when he bought the Yankees in 1973.

[@williamdunphy352]

Agreed. The most underated Yankees announcer ever. 1968-1986. 18 years is a long time.

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

Watching this from the perspective of a born and bred New Yorker ( from The Bronx, no less ), having been born 12 years after this ceremony took place... my God! To have the privilege of seeing that man Mickey Mantle in his prime. To follow the trajectory of his career from 1951 to this occasion. And to see the original Yankee Stadium, just 4 years away from the wrecking ball. As I watch this great video preserved forever on KZbin, during these crazy times, I just feel happy to know that my father passed down the love of being a Yankee fan to me. Having grown up during the bad ole days of Yankees baseball, 1982 - 1995, I only knew of one championship MLB team in this city. That was the '86 Mets. Thank God Gene Michaels had the time and where - wit - all to assemble a future team of Yankee greats for my generation. Here's to you, #7! 🇵🇷🇺🇸😎😊

[@RRaquello]

My father's uncle used to live in the Bronx around this time, just before that neighborhood turned really bad. We'd visit the old guy, then go to a Yankee game at the stadium. The Yankees weren't very good in those days and it was never any trouble getting whatever seats you wanted. We always sat in the bleachers (1 dollar tickets). As a very young kid, I got to see Mantle a few times in person in his last year with the team, 1968. I was only 7 years old, but still knew that Mantle was THE big star. I tell younger fans nowadays, "I saw Mantle play in person" and it's like someone telling me when I was a kid that they saw Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, LOL.

[@thejerseyj9422]

How hard it must be to walk out of the greatest sports stadium ever built. Or to walk away from the greatest sports franchise ever created. Knowing that your days of playing there are over. One cannot imagine what it's like to be a Yankee at 17 and accomplish so much with that one team. Were it not for the injuries and the lack of caring for his body, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest baseball player ever. At his best, there was none better, ever.

[@TheBatugan77]

He said he had dreams about it later. How he was locked out of the Stadium trying to get in to play.

[@thejerseyj9422]

@@TheBatugan77 wow, I believe it. Like being lost and trying to find your way. When he retired he had been a Yankee for half his life.

[@markthompson4905]

My dad said that even though he got injured, he was still one of the fastest runners in the league, and build lay down a base hit bunt any time he wanted.

[@markravitz1684]

Hearing Frank Messer while seeing panoramic shots of the original Stadium made me feel like a kid again. I miss those days....even though the Yankees were mediocre at best. It is incredible to think that the players that made up the Yankee dynasty of the late 1990s weren't even born yet!!

[@VJG11]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS. I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOR MANY YEARS. I ATTENDED THIS CEREMONY SITTING IN THE UPPER DECK BOX SEATS IN SECTION 18, 1ST ROW RIGHT ON THE RAIL. FOR A MICKEY MANTLE DAY, THIS WAS TRULY A GREAT DAY. ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS IN YANKEE STADIUM. A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET. VINNY GAGLIARDI

[@sportsmedia25]

The real Yankee Stadium too, pre-renovation

[@mark07027]

I was there! Got the program to prove it....had Mickey sign it back in the 1980s. Thank You for posting the video!

[@jeffjones1056]

Being from Oklahoma Mickey was my favorite ball player Secretariat my favorite athlete

[@ronniebishop2496]

Me too. The race with Secretariat in the Belmont Stakes was the greatest sporting event I’ve ever seen. . I graduated from high school in 1969. Everyone wanted Mickeys number, I think we drew straws. lol

[@mikeguadagnino5162]

What Yankee royalty. The second generation of Yankee greats. Thanks for posting this video!

[@JohnDavis-nx8hh]

I was in the stands that day. Bleachers. Admission was 50 cents.

[@richshort8120]

I was behind home plate next to the last row $1.50 upper deck grandstand seat which is usually unreserved. All the seats in the main grandstand were reserved. I'm not sure about the bleachers that day. But I do know the price was 75 cents not 50 cents

[@stevstevhoov8288]

That's 11.00 $ by 2020 money now though ,..

[@landan333]

Priceless!

[@littlerichie874]

Ah yes, the good old days...thanks.

[@bronxram]

I was there that day. I sat in Section 16 upper deck with my mom and dad...what a thrill

[@TRENTONMADEME1990]

Wow im 33 this is amzing my best childhood memories are at old yankee stadium godbless