Mickey Mantle sits down towards the end of his life for this rare interview

www.argentaimag...
Mickey Mantle is an all time super star when it comes to the MLB, here he sits down with George Michael to clear any dust in air that might of been left behind from earlier in his career.

[@terrymeade8395]

I met Roger Maris in Tulsa in 1981. Roger asked me who my favorite Yankee was. I said " I liked you a lot, but my favorite player was Mickey Mantle." Roger said "Don't feel bad, Mickey was my favorite player also."

[@HankFinkle11]

I would argue his 1951 World Series ACL tear, never properly treated, kept him from being the greatest player ever.

[@jerrygolan907]

My all time favorite commerce comet!!

[@ronniebishop2496]

If his dad hadn’t died he would have been the best that ever lived but he wasn’t there to pull him in.

[@terrymeade8395]

That is true. He was probably the greatest all around athlete ever. He said football was his best sport.He would have been better than Jim Brown at running back. He also was so quick off the dribble in basketball. And he could have won the gold in Olympic sprint races

[@flame-sky7148]

It was a culmination of the drain in the outfield, father dying in 52 his rookie season and him living the fast life in NY not taking care of himself. If those things didn’t happen your looking at the goat, sort of like Mike Tyson

[@flame-sky7148]

@@ronniebishop2496 yep , he needed his father like he did when he got sent down in the minors and had that man to man talk. After that talk by your human creator, you have dedication and concern.

[@ExclusiveLM]

you know what Chuckie......... I still love Mickey. I respect him because even though he may have hit the bottle a lot, he still acted like a gentleman in society. Above all, when everyone applauded him whenever he hit a home run or when he received this massive ovation on this tribute day, he did not act like the legend he was. Long live the memory of Mickey and thank God for making Mickey Mantle a Yankee !!

[@davidvenesky9053]

No question. If he didn't get hurt so much and suffer from alcoholism, he would have been the best ever.

[@kingjahk1]

Riveting story. He played the game with passion.

[@TheBatugan77]

The Yankees granted Mick's wish. His monument says "A Great Teammate". And indeed he was.

[@willbergie55]

Mickey Mantle burned the candle at both ends.

[@resurection96]

👏👏👏

[@MrDarkart82]

I wish I could have met the Mic.

[@funnykid4012]

Shook hands with mantle

[@strawberryshortcake8382]

He was a hottie in his day

[@stevenyourke7901]

A real classy guy. His honesty and humility about his alcoholism is very touching.

[@patearly9492]

Rest in peace Mickey and God bless

[@jimmy_b_wp]

I'm touched by this video. I've heard his name my entire life, but sad to say that I never even knew what that man looked like smh. However, I randomly started reading about his life on the internet which led me to this video. RIP Mickey...The LEGEND! 🙏🏾

[@LenHummelChannel]

A tremendous stupendous athlete, ... and a real gentleman most of his adult life.

[@billbartoli9766]

Being born and raised in the Bronx, the Yankees were the team I rooted for. Mickey was my idol. Got to see him play several times. Glad he accepted Jesus before he died!

[@RickyAllen]

If you don't love Mickey Mantle. You don't love baseball. Mickey Mouse wasn't as big for Walt Disney as Mickey Mantle was for baseball. He didn't ask for another raise after he got 100k and idk of a player in the game today that had the speed power and love for the game as he did. He retired way before I was born, but that doesn't matter bc he's timeless.

[@TheClassica87]

And that is indeed what it says on both his real tombstone and his monument in Yankee Stadium -- "A Great Teammate". God Bless Mickey. Seemed like he had a good heart. It is sad that he destroyed himself and was at times disrespectful to his long suffering wife. But even she loved him wholeheartedly till the very end. They should make a big budget feature film about Mickey. His life sure was one of triumph and tragedy.

[@aspe7187]

Z i o n i s t Washington, DC and Hollyweird are into tearing down White heroes now, so fat chance.

[@donaldleider7382]

So sad to come to certain realizations so late in life, but better late than never... God I love this guy!

[@richarddenny5340]

my favorite player was Rocky Colavito who played in the same era as Mickey. Well in his biography, Rocky said Mickey was one of the nicest guys he played against and with ( team mates in 1968 ). Rocky said everyone loved the Mick.

[@scottmorissey8915]

Rocky came into a game that year (1968), as a pitcher. He ended up the winning pitcher. Colavito's last game was also Mantle's final contest.

[@goldbug66]

Shook hands with me in Kansas City in 1958 (I was 10)

[@Insnity-io8tq]

Jeez

[@THE-NC2]

Wow, so you’re in your 70’s?! 😱

[@stevenyourke7901]

Cool! I saw him pinch hit a dramatic home run in Yankee Stadium on August 4, 1963. He hadn’t played in months due to injuries and he received a starting ovation when he walked to the on deck circle that didn’t stop until he hit the home run and returned to the dugout after hitting the homer. The entire stadium was standing, screaming and clapping for at least ten minutes! I was a little kid and I had to stand on my seat to see what was going on. That’s how much he meant to Yankee fans back then. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it since. He was our superhero.

[@wholzman2]

Mickey went out in class when he told all the young kids,"don't do what I did,stay away from drugs, and listen to your teachers, and parents.What I did,never accomplished a thing but end my career early, and I had all the God given talent and abused it. To me Mickey Mantle went out as a champion and resolved his misgivings. Mickey Mantle: One of my heroes.

[@thomasjefferson6]

Mickey also appealed to people to stay away from alcohol. In his last book, All My Octobers (1994) his last three lines were: "I do worry about the young people who have looked up at me. And I appeal to them: the best time not to do drugs or alcohol is the first time. Don't end up over the hill before you even start to climb it."

[@ronniebishop2496]

I grew up with Mick I was from Oklahoma and watched him play all through my kid ages. And I was 11 in 61 the greatest team I’ve ever seen.

[@trevorcarey3997]

Love Mr. Mantle, as a historian of the game he's one of the greatest players that ever played baseball, my dad's favorite player.

[@skywoof7]

You were well liked by the fans, too, Mick. Truth be told, you were loved. Me? You had me from the first time I laid eyes on you when I was 4 years old in 1959. Nobody, and I mean NO BODY ever rooted harder or more faithfully for you than me; no exaggeration necessary. Mays, Aaron, Clemente, etc. were all great ballplayers, no question, but you'll always be my #1 draft pick. Hope we all get another go round in the not too distant. If so, & I'm betting we will, you'll get to see & be with your loved ones and former teammates again, and we'll get to see you as you genuinely were; one of if not THE best ballplayer(s) to ever grace a baseball diamond. Now won't THAT be a thing to behold. Until that time, Mickey; until that time!

[@syourke3]

August 4, 1963, I saw him hit a pinch-hit home run against the Orioles in the 7th inning that tied up the game. The Yanks won it in extra innings. Mickey had been out of the lineup for a couple of months with a broken bone in his foot. The ovation that he received when he emerged from the dugout continued for around ten minutes, until he homered, rounded the bases and went back in the dugout. Perhaps the longest standing ovation in major league history, the entire stadium stood and cheered for a full ten minutes. Insane. But that’s how much they lived him!

[@stripervince1]

it's called living life mick. don't regret it. you left a great mark on the game. you are one of the most loved players ever, and you were my idol growing up in NYC in the 60s. 12 world series in 14 years? hahaha. that's a easy record to break huh? over 500 Homers, all while hurt, lefty and righty, a triple crown, 3mvps 18 ws homers, some of the longest homers ever hit, blazing speed. not too shabby

[@charleserickson7948]

one of the best players of All time RIP Mickey.

[@nbigroup-2690]

Well said

[@liamlogan5337]

@@charleserickson7948 if not injured in 51 without a doubt the greatest ever

[@jamescrabb8766]

He was a great player who was not a perfect person. Ok, well neither am I and neither are you. If perfection is required to be part of the human race then we all fail. He saw, at the latter part of his life that he had messed up too many times. He sobered up, made phone calls trying to make some of his mistakes right, some forgave him others did not. He apologized to his fans and made right all that he could. He warned people about making the same mistakes he did. He showed the same courage saying he was sorry as he did playing hurt. He was my hero as a player and he finished up the same way. It takes a hero to hit a ball 500 feet and a bigger one to say I was wrong. Mick, you are still number ONE with me.

[@bobmassey7227]

A wonderful point James. Mickey was from the area where I grew up, I played ball on some of the fields where he played, and he was my childhood hero as well. If you haven't read A Hero All His Life, the Micky Mantle story it's worth the time. It's not so much how you start out in life , or how it goes along the way. It's how you finish that matters most. It seems Mickey finished well. Would that we all could do the same.

[@jamescrabb8766]

@@bobmassey7227 He did finish well, didn't he. Thanks for the book title, I'll look for it. Win or lose we have to finish well and let the world know we never quit when behind. Cheers!!

[@bobmassey7227]

@@jamescrabb8766 it's a memoir by the Mantle family. Deals with the highs and lows of their life. Gives a pretty in-depth picture of his life.

[@Edwardo485]

@@bobmassey7227 the great MICKEY MANTLE ,Number 7. first heard of him from my dear mother when I was kid 🙎❤

[@bobmassey7227]

@@Edwardo485 David for me it was my older cousin Linda. I was pretty young, would have been back in the early to mid 60s, she asked me if I liked the New York Yankees? Then told me I had to because Mickey Mantle played for them and he was from here. That was all it took. I became a Yankee, and Mickey fan all on the same day. Well Mickey is gone, and the character of the game is changing, but Mickey and the golden era of the game will live forever in the memories of we who lived it.

[@NkrumahTure]

I don't think he would've caught Ruth, but he was a great player nonetheless.

[@skywoof7]

He would have caught Ruth for both HRs in a single season (perhaps multiple times) and in a career. That he didn't wasn't because he wasn't talented enough or capable enough. It was because too much was put on him too soon. He was up against too much including the fact he'd become something they didn't have a label for in his day, the "face of baseball." Nothing prepared him for that and no one was there to help him navigate it successfully. Too many injuries, dad dying when he was 19, a lack of understanding from the people who ran the game and the owners of the Yankees about how to protect their players and help them circumvent all the landmines. Players back then were left to their own devices w/few if any charged with helping them through the transitions from games back to civilians and no help at all once they retired. Way too much thrown at a young kid from Commerce Oklahoma way too soon, and when The Mick struggled, he took it out on himself. You did all right, Mick; rest easy. We'll get 'em next time, Mickey; we'll get 'em next time!

[@johndaniels9782]

in my opinion, I just cant say enough about the mick. I never got to meet him or watch him play I came close once to go and watch but something came up and we didnt. but I'll tell ya I've watched I think every document I can watch about the mick and he wasnt a hero then I guess there no true definition of hero. mick was and still is a true baseball legend he will never b forgotten his so s were fortunate to have him for a dad he may have drank but in the 50s and 60s, who didnt drink that's the question and achahol has destroyed a many good lives and the nicks was one of them

[@WSchamps]

jeter is just another dimaggio playing for the huge paycheck mickey mantle is the only yankee i believe who played for his love of the game

[@billpierson5830]

U forgot a few names that come to my mind & 1 is Babe Ruth!!!

[@ronniebishop2496]

Ruth did. Gehrig was an ass so was DiMaggio but Mickey And Ruth we’re loved.

[@lemaxmas]

Excellent upload!! Thanks! Mick ironically had so much in common with Jimmie Foxx, the last man he passed on the all-time home run list. Like Mick, Foxx, who was a very kind and affable man was also very well liked by his teammates. Both men were known for their great power and amazing speed. And sadly both men cut their own careers short by a few years due to problems with alcohol. I believe too that they both played 18 seasons.

[@34Packardphaeton]

J. Foxx was one of only six players with a career slugging percentage of .600 or higher: Ruth, Williams, Foxx, Gehrig, Bonds, and Greenberg.... in that order, I think.

[@robingagan6288]

Too hard on himself. It's not his fault he suffered from alcoholism

[@steve3602]

It was around 1990 when I was in the Staten Island Mall. I remember as I was about to leave going down the escalator. On the bottom level there's Mickey Mantle signing autographs. I didn't want to bother him so as I neared the exit I smiled and pointed at him and made the NO.1 sign with my finger. He turned and smiled to acknowledge me with that Mickey Mantle smile. I'll never forget that moment. He was the greatest!

[@geoffreyfaltot1006]

He aint' wrong. That dude was plagued with injury and it stinks because what COULD he have been if he didn't party. Drink heavily. Stay up late. Hang with strange women. Dude coulda been the best? Really unfortunate about the drain in WS of 1951. Not even his first year complete and blew out his knee and his speed for rest of his career...Coulda maybe been a Power/Speed HOUSE. Super rare and dangerous.

[@johndaniels9782]

well mickey you dnt have to worrie about how much u were well like because u were loved as a baseball play by anyone who saw you play which was millions so r.i.p. buddie you were one of the best in my opinion and I dnt think they will ever b another like you unless its mike trout ....a modern day mickey mantle

[@MrMakemyday3]

but mickey- you couldnt have done anything different to repair the damage done to your legs.

[@edahlquist6985]

Mantle was my ido l in the late 50s early 60s 61 everytime

[@justrelax1539]

Well a REAL role model admits to his faults and wrongdoings! RIP Mr. Mantle! We miss you

[@9Ballr]

Mickey was well liked by his teammates.

[@jamesmuoiomuoio5372]

He was to me the most powerful hitter I ever saw from both sides of the plate!! Just wonderful to watch!

[@tomitstube]

i blame his father, mickey credits his father with saying "i thought i raised a man, i see i raised a coward instead." you can imagine the shit he told mickey growing up, mickey became a great baseball player in spite of his old man, probably led to low self esteem and his drinking problem too, why couldn't he have just said, "mick, i know you've got it in you, just stick it out a month or two, you've got tremendous talent son, every great player had to fight to get his shot."

[@billpierson5830]

Because some people you have to treat with kid gloves & some U have to give them a kick in the ass. Which ever one gets the results you use!!!

[@bobmassey7227]

@@billpierson5830 good point. Sometimes love has to be tough. But it's still love.

[@homerun8032]

Oh please , we need more father's like Mr Mantle , and he did raise a man. He was telling young Mantle that no one ever said life would be easy.

[@tomitstube]

@@homerun8032 "oh please" yourself, he raised an abusive, neglectful alcoholic who never grew up, his wife and 3 sons ALSO became alcoholics! even mickey regretted what he had become... i know so many of you messed up conservo-nuts pitifully crying every time you talk about the "old man" and how "i know he was telling me he loved me every time (sniff sniff) he beat me." stockholm syndrome... you people are pathetic.

[@Breeder333]

Natural talent that came full circle. Bless ya Mick.

[@jobedied1]

Just think he did it without shooting up steriods. Just drank a lot booze.

[@stevesmith6685]

jobedied1 Booze hurts athletic performance. Steroids helps athletic performance. He had demons. We all do. He turned out, especially at the end of his life, to be a hero. RIP after 20 years.

[@rockinyouallnight]

Mickey Mantle reeked of booze since 1966.

[@wholzman2]

He was talking about present day. No, Mickey wasn't on drugs.

[@jeffmaggard3694]

I’m too young to have seen him play. He is still my favorite player

[@TheBatugan77]

Mick could have taken better care of himself, yes. But in all fairness, he also left it all on the field when he did play.

[@garysimone4977]

The Mick he was not perfect but dam I love him

[@gigeo48]

greatest ballplayer of all time bar none, showed his grit and humility and role model in his final years

[@terrymeade8395]

I agree

[@lloydkline6946]

Baseball version of superman 🦸‍♂️,

[@aspe7187]

The picture on his rookie card looks just like my dad during his Army days.

[@marvingold3078]

When Stengel picked his all-star Yankee team, he didn’t include Mantle.

[@TheBatugan77]

Ruth did the same thing to Gehrig. He named an all-time team and picked Hal Chase over the Iron Horse, which is preposterous.

[@tidi1764]

Mick was one of my idols growing up in bklyn... ali.... mays...and mick....seen him play in Yankee Stadium as a kid more then a few times so many memories. ..... thanks mick.... rip good friend. .. rip ..used to sneak on the subway from bklyn to the Bronx to see him play..........

[@jodielangford7837]

The Mick oh what could have been.. my first hero as a kid he was the reason I became a switch hitter.{in baseball not life}

[@gerryvanderzeypen1214]

He had a fairly good time in his life though didn't he? sure he did BUT when OUR youth goes and the joints and what not start to go south, oh well, had a good life anyway YES? SURE!!!

[@tomloft2000]

can't believe he's been gone for 25 years.

[@adamwesley2985]

Dont forget #1 alfred Manuel martin aka billy who should be in the g damn hall of fame

[@resurection96]

👏👏👏

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

The Kansas City A’s took me to see his last game in KC, Mickey Mantle night ❤️

[@bigosmooth]

We need this attitude and men like him today

[@johndaniels9782]

sorry it looks like I've had to much to drank on that's Las statment

[@Gold-oj8do]

Well, he admitted here that he didn't take that good of care of himself. If he had, he might have hit 800 home runs. He was the best.

[@jaysoper3974]

he was well-liked by his drinking buddies

[@77taptap]

My all time hero. I love you Mick.

[@anthonyscillia8790]

Love Mickey !

[@johnschmidt6431]

Awesome interview!!!!

[@ExclusiveLM]

are you saying Mickey Mantle took drugs ??

[@altoncarter6958]

I felt for Mickey too

[@trooololol]

yes technically alcohol is a drug, so yes mickey mantle took drugs

[@DMR4736]

if it wasn't for the influence of billy ans whitey, he'd have played another five years

[@flame-sky7148]

If his father had been alive throughout his early twenties, he would have been able to guide him. His father and uncle died in their early forties. I think it was the injuries that cost him about four more years. The drinking really got out of hand once he retired and had nothing to do.

[@kingtyomama6564]

He played out the funny drunk routine for years and now look at this. I cant stand drunks, especially ones who dont get help and spend their entire life talking about drinking. Pathetic

[@billpierson5830]

SO ARE YOU..!!!!!!!

[@kenperusek9935]

King T Yomama it’s the nature of addiction. The addicted person is unable to stop their unhealthy behavior, often until they hit rock bottom. Addiction normally occurs because the addict uses something (drugs, alcohol, food, sex, golf, etc.) to medicate emotional pain in their life. They typically don’t even think to look at the emotional pain and traumas from their past, and don’t understand that these issues don’t disappear. In fact, they impact the addict’s behaviors for years if they don’t deal with with those issues in an emotionally healthy way.

[@trock6577]

I will always believe if Mickey made better choices and took better care of his body, he would have been a top 3 all time player. The knee injury in 51 took away a great deal of his potential and yet look at what he did.. He had more speed and power than anyone in history. If only.

[@XiJinPingEatShit]

Too young to ever watch mr mantle play ... but I would say he will be my favorite player! RIP the greatest Yankee in my heart!

[@CaptainSpalding72]

He didnt have a good year because he was a alcoholic.