SportsCentury - Mickey Mantle

[@maffett]

I was born in 1949 in northeastern Pennsylvania. I remember at 5 or 6 years old first watching the Yankees on WPXI TV which was part of our "cable" TV package. I fell in love with the Yankees; Skowron, Kubek, Richardson, Bauer and Ford. But, like so many other young boys of the 50's, Mickey Mantle became my idol. I could always count on The Mick in the clutch. I can close my eyes and still hear Mel Allen doing the Yankee broadcast, which was "brought to us" by Ballantine Beer. I'm 74 now and wept as I watched this video. What a great time to grow up.

[@petedomain9989]

I was a Chicago Police Officer in 1985, and was assigned crowd control, for Mickey Mantles' book signing at Kroc and Brentanos book store. I spent over 3 hours talking to Mickey that day. I told my Captain you don't have to pay me for today. What an amazing time.

[@lothar52]

God Bless you sir…. For you certainly were blessed that day! ❤️👍🏻🙌🏻

[@jeremylowe2309]

That’s a lie. A cop refused pay. Especially Chicago. Lol

[@jayemma3457]

That must have been an incredible opportunity and so special. So cool!

[@RobertCampello-bg2uv]

Yes, sir, I also met Mickey at a book signing and it was one of the greatest moments of my life, I assured him. He replied in a genuinely touched yet humbling manner. Nearly in disbelief it seemed. I was also a huge Willie Mays fan and mentioned this to Mantle, to whom he proceeded to heep mounds of praise about Mays. Mickey Mantle was a genuine hero and perhaps if he hadn't been so tragically disabled, would have been the greatest and finest ballplayer ever to play. He was dedicated and he was so strong and talented.

[@rodcrawford5947]

We all love you Mic…🙏🎼❤️🇺🇸🐝🇺🇸

[@vincentrusso2769]

No Steroids, No pumping iron. Just pure talent!!!

[@ethanniedorowski116]

1 knee

[@bowlersinger]

One gift of strength exercised in the coal mines.

[@algiudice7465]

Who really knows though....

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Steroids free micky mantle: superman

[@josephstangel5930]

Watching this for 100th time and it never gets old, because he's a Idol to many people and to me!!⚾⚾

[@mobydick3895]

I have an Uncle who lives in Nashville, and walked Point in Vietnam for the Marines. He looked like Mantle, talked like Mantle, and is just as humble and likeable as Mantle. I cannot get over it.

[@nickcupkovic5721]

I was lucky enough to meet him on 59th St in front of his bar Mantle's in the 80s He treated me like he knew me What a gracious gentleman

[@ronmiller1220]

I was born in 1955. When I was old enough to watch baseball on TV. Mickey Mantle was my favorite player. I wanted to be like him. My first glove was Mickey Mantle. I used a Mantle bat in HS. I had several of his cards. He was my first HERO. RIP Mickey

[@darrensmith342]

My first visit to Yankee Stadium was in 1967 on my 8th birthday, June 3. We had box seats maybe 7 rows behind the first base dugout. The ticket price was $4.00. We were there for Mickey Mantle Day at Yankee Stadium June 8, 1969. What an amazing memory! 56 thousand fans on their feet. In 1972 I finally met "The Mick", 12 years old and I had met a hero. That night we went to Shea Stadium. It was Willie Mays last year with the Mets. Two Hall of Famers in one day. We didn't know how good we had it. Baseball would never be the same again.

[@thomasfritz8078]

I remember Mickey when I was a teenage batboy in 1976 for a Triple A franchise. He came to our ballpark for a home run hitting contest between games of a doubleheader. I was excited not only to meet him but to shag fly balls he didn't hit out that evening. I grabbed just one. He hit ball after ball in what I thought were lazy popups only to realize when I got to the warning track that it not only left the yard but went over the light tower in left center field!!! He arrived about an hour before game 1 to dress for the occasion where I noticed how badly damaged both his knees were. First the bandages, then tightly taping them and finally the braces being secured on both legs. It took him almost the entire game 1 to finish dressing for a 20 minute hitting session from the right side only because his left knee would collapse if he batted lefthanded. The thing though I remember most in those days was there was always a picnic spread between games of the doubleheader in the clubhouse. When I met Mickey we shook hands and he asked if I'd like his autograph. Seeing how busy he was getting dressed I told him just shaking his hand was good enough for me, but if he had some time after the contest to put a meal together for me because I'd be hustling to clear the field and prepare the dugout for game 2. He said it would be no problem and asked for my name so he could write it on the paper plate for the clubhouse attendant to give me later. True to his word, I got to eat the spread he laid out for me. For him to be that considerate to a "low on the totem pole" batboy was pure joy to me and I became a fan for life. Later, after he passed, I bought an autographed picture of him. I did this not because of it being a precious collector's item, but as a fond memory to look at and reminisce. It's his humble humanity that I'll always appreciate and miss.

[@LaMostraVia]

Love hearing these Mantle stories.

[@actif9853]

That’s awesome what a story

[@rickiovine2170]

Thomas Fritz : What a gift you had to actually get time with the mythical Mantle. The rest of us only see him as a super hero from the world of fantasy.

[@tonygville2969]

My dear brother used to make coustom rods for Mickey, Boog Powell, and Ted Williams, ect. They all loved fishing in Miami where we grew up. Your time with him is a gift. Super Way Cool 👍 Palmetto 78 ✌️

[@ronnielevine1411]

great memory, man

[@garyzehr1056]

Meeting the Mick still sends chills through my body and still does. What a ballplayer. Rest in peace #7

[@ronzbronz6043]

My Dad was Mickey Mantle to me...Mickey Mantle was my Favorite Baseball Player i was born 1951...coincided with # 7 !!!!!!!

[@billycharles]

Mickey Mantle, the eternal boy of summer.

[@cheguevara778]

my favorite player even thought I never saw him play....#7 my idol Mickey Mantle

[@actif9853]

Carlos Guevara mine too

[@dcfanchris]

One of mine too

[@CSDonohue11]

BroskyWhoDatedHoski What turds. Would have been dope to be certified but screw em. I have a picture of Kyle Busch signing for me and Todd Helton but I don’t have any proof of any of my other signatures other than the signature on the ball , bat , etc... Andruw Jones is 1 I should have got the pic because there was an opportunity to do so. Nomar could have got a pic while he was singing it easily but didn’t even think about it until after. That 1 was leaning over the railing while he rehabbing in Vegas when Vegas was The Dodgers AAA affiliate for a few years. Jones was outside the stadium, he was cool AF, he chilled , posted & chatted with my cousin & I for an easy 20minutes. He was super cool. Nomar was ehh. Todd Helton was really cool. Jay Bruce was hella cool. I met Jay’s mother & sister good, I was sitting right next to them & Spring Training right behind The Reds dugout and Jay bright Eric Davis out to meet his mom and I got Eric Davis auto on my bat too right then. Davis is Ight. Crazy thing was I got Jays before the game outside the stadium, then I happen to sit next to his moms & sis and Davis said I’ll sign it inside, then walked past me and I then Jay Bruce comes out with Eric Davis to introduce Coach Davis to his fam. Lol Swear to God. That’s the only reason I knew it was his Mom, Sis and his moms Best Friend that is kind of like his aunt they said because she’s been around so long. They were all nice ladies. Jays sister has a hearing problem and is super cute. Real Talk.

[@leeswanson9732]

Mantle and Mays were two of my favorites.

[@stever1791]

Best 2 ballpleyers ever The Mick and Say Hey

[@ronnie237]

The Mick. I’m so glad I got to see him play. No one like him.

[@itsoruss]

Mickey was my inspiration to love baseball. Best I ever saw.

[@georgecamp5811]

The greatest ever played baseball. I watched him on tv. An listened on radio, teacher miss Roberson let us hear the series. I was picture in little league. Great times.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Josh Gibson was better.

[@richardlogan1021]

In 1958 when I was a kid I won an essay contest that got me a trip to NYC. It included a game at Yankee Stadium -- the only time I would get there. But my idol Mickey Mantle must have known I was there, because he hit a home run for me. Thanks Mick. RIP.

[@jonnash170]

Was fortunate enough to meet Mickey man on 1981 wasn't the friendliest of guys but it was cool standing right in front of him

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Wow, very lucky

[@rickkinki4624]

I loved Mickey's comment, when asked who was the best between Willie, Mickey and the Duke. He said he was honored to be tied for second with the Duke.

[@stever1791]

Mantle was very Classy and a great ballplayer

[@vintagemandude5381]

My grandfather, Tom Sturdivant was Mantle's teammate and friend for many years. I asked my grandfather who he thought was the best ever and he said Mickey over Willie. Both incredible, but Mickey being able to hit from both sides and will to win every game. Tom said that Mantle would run through a brick wall to try to win a game for the Yankees.

[@josephmccarthy8745]

No gold chains. No standing at home plate watching his hits.just running around the bases with his head down on his home runs

[@danjv]

Mickey Mantle, along with his teammate Roger Maris, ignited my love for baseball in 1961 when I was a first grader .

[@karljungel9701]

Saw him in 1959 at Detroit stadium, he was playing center field, and I yelled 'Hey Mickey'!!! He turned and waved at me....that was it.....a Yankee fan forever. I didn't meet him again until I was a video distribution rep and he came to one of my company meetings. Got great face time and we had LOTS of questions for him.... He invited me to have a drink later with him, however, our meetings ran late and he was not at the bar.... What a guy, warts and all!!!

[@TravisBrowder]

He was my hero during his time.

[@RobJazzful]

In my heart, Mickey can run.

[@billysheppard6091]

The Mick is still taking off..

[@JamesWilliams-vb8rk]

The BEST and always will be.

[@denniscassley2569]

Just think of what: 1) MIGHT have been, 2) COULD have been... & Most Importantly, 3) SHOULD HAVE BEEN!!!!

[@josephjohnroe3678]

In my opinion, there has never been a more talented Baseball player than Mantle. There was literally nothing he couldn't do, and for exceptionally. Having the career and being as successful as he was, despite his drinking and knee problems, is a testament to how truly legendary he was. He was the ultimate 5 tool player.

[@robertboney4493]

Close between Mantle and Mays.

[@dennisznaniecke490]

No willie mays

[@robmckrobmck5567]

@@robertboney4493I know Mickey Willie and the Duke, but as far as 5 tool player, not Aaron too?

[@Justin-pq3rq]

Mantle tore his knee in his rookie season on a sprinkler. He doesn’t do that and he’s the greatest of all time.

[@shawnyoung8752]

All I know is that Ted Williams had crazy stats from his rookie year to start. He lost 3and half years serving in WW2.then another 2 in Korea. He was23. 24,25,26, then early 30s. Lookup his onbase% ot is unreal. He never had 200 hits. He led league in walks. He stuck out in 41. 32 times in 600pa. Di Maggio struck out 18 in 550. That is ? Joe also had a 13 game hit streak. His 56 the another 18. Or was it other way . He hit in 87 of 89 games.

[@anthonylucarelli4694]

There was nobody better, nobody.I have visited Dallas Texas once in my life, got off the plane went to sleep, got up the next morning and went to the cemetery found his crypt and paid my dutiful respects to my idol Mickey Mantle. We all have experienced sad deaths in our lifetime but I always say there was no death of a person I really never knew that affected me the way the death of Mickey Mantle did. God Bess you Mickey.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Josh Gibson was better.

[@davidroman1654]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 Still wrong, and you always will be. Gibson never faced the quality of players Micky did .

[@rtflone]

@@davidroman1654 @raygordonteacheschess5501 is a troll and that's the best he will ever be

[@JM-ei7eb]

There is a lesson here for all of us. RIP Mick....you were the greatest

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

18:25 -- Had it not been his dad's tough love and wanting very much to save Mickey from a life in the coal mines...imagine how much different not just baseball history but the baseball card hobby especially would've been without Mickey? Mickey has always been the most desired cards in all the hobby, especially his famous 1952 Topps. Just imagine how different the hobby might've been without him...

[@jamescrabb8766]

Mickey was such a complete player. He was an explosion waiting to happen and then, boom, the ball took off like a missile headed into the upper deck of Yankee Stadium. His natural talent was so much more than all the rest. There have been other players who have worked very hard and approached his skills, and played for many more years obviously adding to their numbers and totals, but , when he was young, his natural ability made him the best player who ever played the game. He didn't play till he was 40. The injuries and alcohol stopped that but- oh man- could that man hit a baseball. He was like no other and I doubt we will ever see his like again.

[@tidefanyankee2428]

He could hit with power from both sides of the plate, he had blazing speed and a heck of an arm.

[@timwilde1952]

Damn, if he didn't play till he was 40 you have to wonder just how good he could have been had he started playing earlier! :)

[@moss8448]

what really got me was how fast he was before he tore his knee up on that damn sprinkler head....man he was somethin' goin' to first....

[@Razorback2088]

Mickey was the best of the best, there will never be another. He was the real Mr. October and still is!!!!!

[@ronniebishop2496]

Razorback2088 he would have set all new records if his father would have lived to control Mickeys nightlife. He was the greatest.

[@Kenh-zc2ql]

Hey Razorback2088...PIG SOOIE, NW Arkansas area here

[@ronniebishop2496]

Ken h Old Razorback fans never die, they just Pig Out ! lol hahahaha

[@JoshAlexanderFarrell]

100! Unfortunately the drink got the best of him. Regardless! He’s a legend.

[@stevenpham1961]

I feel like hogs are always one strike away from a natty. Still a fan tho!

[@jonathanw4750]

Probably the greatest player ever.

[@dionlindsay2]

Or could have been. Always sad to think so. When I was a kid I would argue with Dad that there ought to be a celestial happiness tax to protect the greats. Those who gave delight to their fans should reap some of that delight so there couldn't be the awfulness of stars bringing joy to the world and feeling miserable. If life was that simple!

[@elfuego233]

Yup if he had the technology today he would be the goat

[@petertracz4068]

LEGENDS NEVER DIE

[@unclequack5445]

Mantle, Dimaggio, The Babe!!! New York was lucky to have had these 3 greats.

[@ronniebishop2496]

Skeefoo Panama they deserved Dimagio but not the babe or Mantle

[@unclequack5445]

Why not? gotta admit the team was stacked.

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Skeefo, don't ever forget about Lou Gehrig!

[@unclequack5445]

Aww man, how could I ? great player he was.

[@jamiemalokas3693]

Ronnie Bishop I agree they deserved DiMaggio. The man who's ego wouldn't let a superior defender Mantle move him out of centerfield at the end of Joe's career. Resulting in Mantle tearing up his knee in right field in the WS. Reducing the Mick who may have ended up the undisputed GOAT in baseball, to one of the best of all time. Yep, NY deserved Mr. Coffee.

[@gerrypocengal7157]

growing up in yonkers as a 5 yr old kid ,with superman on tv, mickey was our real life super hero!!

[@constantdarkfog49]

Micky's achievements are what made him emortal. He's a once in a lifetime legend.

[@kenm2345]

He had ground burning speed, and awesome power from both sides of the plate. He hit 536 career homers and another 18 in the world series, and he did it on two bad legs.

[@tattoos9246]

Ken M that and about a dozen other injuries and retired at 36 if he was healthy and could have played a few more years he could have passed Ruth's record

[@RobJazzful]

He also played a lot of his career in a pitcher’s era, the Sixties.

[@liecrusher3506]

But, his excess only made things worse. Just leaving the bottle alone, and getting his proper rest, would've improved his game and enabled his injuries to heal, more effectively. Also I want to punch that sanctimonious, arrogant, narcissist, DiMaggio, right in the FACE, because it was his selfishness that caused Mantle to injure his knee, in the first place.

[@denniscassley2569]

@@RobJazzful COULD HAVE been the greatest EVERYTHING (except pitcher, of course). Operative word being "could" have. And he knew it.

[@spy1965]

The comet from Commerce (OK)

[@DDEENY]

Mickey once said that his proudest accomplishment as a player is that his teammates liked him. He was already a shy, modest country boy, but his commitment to be well-liked and respected by his teammates is also an unspoken commentary about Joe DiMaggio who Mickey met when he came up to the big leagues. Joe's talent, stardom and the fact that his salary was much larger than his teammates' made himself an aloof prima donna who for that reason wasn't very well-liked by his teammates who knew him best in the clubhouse, unlike the general public. I believe that at that point, country boy Mickey promised himself that no matter what level of stardom that he'd achieve, he would make it his business to be the opposite of Joe, socially and personally-speaking.

[@DDEENY]

@@Gamers-zi2er You'd need to go to hell, then, and you don't want to do that.

[@eddie7843]

Mickey Mantle best of all times they will never be another mantle again 7

[@obbor4]

Willie could neither hit the ball out of the stadium, like Mickey could, and did, nor could he run like Mantle before, or after, his knee injury slowed him.

[@bigbadwolf381]

Ed Smith Ruth-#1

[@leftbenchplayaa]

Khris Davis better

[@LASmith-ri3qj]

I wore #7 during all my little league and high school days. He was my idol

[@kenbrown438]

I wore #18 !!!!

[@ken4151]

I was a kid watching 11pix TV. I didn't know who Mantle was then. Rizzuto was announcing his 500th. HR. I became a fan that moment. I was lucky to see him at a his restaurant in Manhattan. His presence was overwhelming. ( ps. My grandfather coached Rizzuto and his brother in little league. Queens NY. )

[@tankhalffull]

Tears... R.I.P. Mickey...

[@jamesconley203]

Mickey will always be my idol and hero

[@miltonsmith974]

The Mick. He had baseball skills that most others might only dream about. To have that near-superhuman power (from both sides) to go along with his phenomenal speed seemed unfair. No way should one man possess that kind of speed with such unmatched power. That rare combination made him into a bigger-than-life hero. He was like a myth; like a human cyborg. If only Mick had taken better care of himself he might have re-written the record books. "For all sad words of tongue or pen the saddest are these: it might have been."

[@stevenhornostaj5676]

Bonds

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Josh Gibson was better.

[@davidroman1654]

@@stevenhornostaj5676 Drugs without them Bonds would be a nobody.

[@davidroman1654]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 He could not carry Micky's cap.

[@ekbromsen]

😊

[@imannonymous7707]

I wish i had been born just a little earlier. To see some of these great men. The music, the history , the cars. I guess i was born too late

[@josephmenegus3657]

The best of all time.

[@Justoneperson-hu3nh]

What a incredible trio of Center fielders NYC had in the 50's and early sixties! Willie, Mickie and The Duke!

[@terrencestewart8940]

The Mick, greatest of all time

[@RoundingThird]

I just watched this last night and thought of this comment. Here's Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto and Whitey Ford talking about who the greatest Yankee CF was. It's linked to the part where they talk about it but the whole thing was a pretty good watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npXNe5ubZ5eDeqM

[@ellandecampbell6279]

Devan McClaine: It's really close. DiMaggio has the edge in batting average (.325 to .298), but the league average over the course of DiMaggio's career was 20 points higher than it was in Mantle's era (.276 to .256). As far as home runs, surprisingly enough, DiMaggio averaged only 2 fewer per 162 games than Mantle did (despite missing 3 prime years, & Yankee Stadium being historically difficult for right-handed hitters to hit home runs in DiMaggio's era). DiMaggio struck out much less (369, compared to 1,710), but Mantle got on base much more often (.421, 92 points above the league average, compared to .398, 44 points above the average). Mantle had more speed, but DiMaggio was apparently the better defensive player. Overall, I'd give a slight edge to Mantle

[@gotohoward]

Mickey Mantle had all those records even though he was saddled with injuries. He transcended baseball. When I think of a baseball player the image that comes to mind is him up at the plate with that swing for a long drive. In later years Mickey struggled with alcoholism. It really tore his life apart. He only started to realize in the end years what a hero he was for so many. He wasn't perfect, but who is.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Josh Gibson was stronger.

[@davidroman1654]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 Wrong again.

[@blazersaint144]

Mrs Mantle came off as such a classy lady.

[@drewandfrank]

AMEN!!

[@clydeb7713]

How can so many people not like this???????????? Micky hit the longest homerun at the end of his life when he opened his soul to us and revealed how sincere and great he really was. This is so powerful! Summerall arranged for Mantle to be accepted at the Betty Ford Center. He went on a Friday. About two weeks later, Summerall got a call from Mantle. "He asked me if I had liked that place except that his language was a helluva lot stronger. I told him, 'no, I didn't like it, I didn't go there for a good time.'...He calmed down after a while, and then he said to me, 'I want you to make me a promise.' He said, 'If we're ever together, and you see me have a drink, I want you to kill me right there.'"

[@Razorback2088]

Mickey did get booed from time to time especially when he struck out, but all he had to do was walk out into the "on deck" circle and the fans at any ball park started going crazy with cheers and whistles.When the Yankees were playing home games at Shae Stadium, one time a question appeared on the giant screen near the score board, and the answer just happened to be "Mickey Mantle", and when his name appeared on the screen, the noise (cheers) was so loud that you could not hear anything else for a few minutes.So, as previously stated, Mickey was, and still is, the best of the best!!

[@raysossamon3856]

Back then the definition of a man was much different then--My Dad was the same way--He drank 1/5 of vodka 7 days a week and worked 7 days a week--He told me and my brother when we were young that he didnt care if we partied all night just get up at 5am and be at work--Oh and we had better be ready to work too--I was shocked that my Dad lived until he was 75--Yea times were different then

[@fastted9390]

At age 9, I saw the "Mick" for the first time at Comiskey Park, as a White Sox fan. His swing and power amazed me. He was not a real big man but he had amazing strength ! ! ! Seemed like a ball that was only half hit went to the warning track. God bless his memory.

[@jayemma3457]

I really enjoyed this a lot. It's amazing to see the backstory of famous and accomplished people like Mickey Mantle.

[@USMarineNamVet]

The "Mick"... I lived 2 blocks from Yankee Stadium, saw many of his tape measure's. He was being cheered, and loved way before 1961.. I know.

Padilla, what a great life u had to grow up so close to yankee stadium watching the Mick and all the other yankees..what a time in history

[@TwoUtahUtes]

Michael, you are one lucky guy! The Mick is the reason I have been a Yankee fan for 60 years.

[@classic-kool]

The Babe and Mickey could crush a baseball while still drunk as a skunk from "last night's party" ....... That right there makes him a Hall of Famer ...

[@denniscassley2569]

Mickey could have been the BEST EVER had he not pursued "last night's party" over and over again. What a waste of what COULD HAVE BEEN, don't you think?

[@OroborusFMA]

1952 to 1962 he was as good as anyone who ever played the game.

[@TheVagolfer]

And he was usually injured.

[@GlorifiedTruth]

Agree. Ruth, Williams, Mantle, and Bonds were cut from the same mold, with Mickey probably being the most physically gifted, IMO.

[@csn6234]

@@GlorifiedTruth Bonds used steroids and HGH. He cheated. He was not cut from the same cloth as the others. I'm sorry, but you posted the dumbest comment in the history of KZbin.

[@lonniereynolds7895]

How in the "HELL" are you going to put "BARRY BONDS" in the company of "BABE RUTH", "TED WILLIAMS" & MICKEY MANTLE"?

[@lonniereynolds7895]

"BABE RUTH", "TED WILLIAMS" & "MICKEY MANTLE" did "THE DAMN THING" with "PURE & RAW TALENT"!! Those guys didn't need no fucking "STEROIDS" to perform.... Unlike "BARRY BONDS"!!

[@roncaruso931]

I sit here with tears in my eyes watching the ending of this video. I first became aware of Mantle in the late 50's when I was 6 years old. He was my favorite ball player of all time.

[@billchandler1539]

When I was around 9 my family heard there was someone 'interesting' staying in a cottage near us on the beach! My dad and I walked 3 blocks to the beach and stood near the Gulf behind the cottage. A man came out and sat on the seawall. I turned around and we looked at each other and he smiled, it was Mickey! It was spring training time in St. Petersburg for the Yankees!

[@billysheppard6091]

That must of been great.growing up as a kid in NYC.who didn't want to be mickey mantle... Imagine his numbers if he didn't drink and the Yankees sent Billy martin to California earlier.. the Mick..

[@joemarshall4226]

Bouton said some nice things about Mickey as well.

[@martynewell1181]

I was a Yankees fan back then and I was a Mickey Mantle Went to Baltimore and Yankee Stadium to see him play

[@RoundingThird]

Nice. I'm about to be a Yankee fan too I think, because these Reds fans are about worst there are. Oh look, a guy is trying to bring us a championship compilation. Let's take a big shit on that. Oh look, people hate everyone screaming whooo, let's scream it louder.

[@justinhren3431]

Ted Williams "Mantle had the greatest natural ability of anyone who ever Played"

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Other than Josh Gibson, maybe.

[@davidroman1654]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 Probably not. Mantle had more natural ability than any player before him or since.

[@edstokes743]

Mrs Mantle was the real hero what a good woman boy o boy she really loved him😢

[@carson21211]

Baseball is my first love

[@darrensmith342]

I happened to be on a layover at Kennedy Airport in NYC on the day Mickey Mantle died. It a very rainy morning. The Daily News reported that it was almost like NYC was crying tears for Mickey.

[@ronaldharris7639]

Lucky enough to talk to him a couple of times

[@stripervince1]

Mantle was my idol growing up in NY in the sixties. My cousin Robert got me his autograph, and I still have my ticket stub for mickey mantle day june 1969

[@joeyguy1952]

Mickey was my hero ! I dreamed of playing for those Yankees before myopia destroyed my dreams! I did play another game I loved basketball

[@aa697]

Those were the days. But Mantle and his family were human beings who suffered a great deal. And that is a very heavy price to pay for the joy he provided to strangers i.e. the fans.

[@easfgman4687]

"Do u know why the Yankees always win?" "Because they got Mickey Mantle?" "No, it's because the other team can't stop looking at those pinstripes!"

[@vintagemandude5381]

Catch Me If You Can - The Mickey Mantle Story

[@mikedee8876]

as a kid in the early 60's I used to flip baseball cards...Mickey Mantle cards were pretty common at the time (except for the earlier 50's) but I treasured my Mickeys...all of them....they won me a stack of cards that my dad was even impressed by....they took up a large chunk of my bedroom closet...in a pinch, I would even toss my 1955 Mantle....that one almost always won in a pinch....Mick was the greatest in many ways,,,

[@uncjim]

My first time to a big league ballpark was June 8, 1958..a double header, the Yanks against the Indians at Yankee Stadium. I was seated along the first base line in a box seat rented by my Dad’s place of work. I was immediately struck by how colorful the grass was. After all, all the games I saw on television were in black and white. When Mickey came to the plate, the place went crazy..pure bedlam. Unfortunately, he had a terrible first game, striking out at least a couple of times and dropping a routine fly ball. The crowd booed mercilessly. I felt so bad for him. For his first at bat in the second game, he hit a sizzling line drive over the right field fence for a homer. The crowd went insane and all was forgiven. What a Man and what a Legend Mickey was!

[@jasonparker5746]

The most talented baseball player of all time...bar none!

[@jerryh.9960]

The most talented, maybe, but never came near his potential. Only had 2 great years and only had 4 years of 100 or more RBI's, playing for one of the greatest Yankee teams; and it wasn't primarily due to his injuries but his total lack of self discipline and his alcoholism.

[@jasonparker5746]

@@jerryh.9960 He had more than 2 great years, and he won 3 MVP’s but I agree he could have been even better if he took care of his body.

[@TheSpeyfisher]

Not only my mentor for baseball but I Loved him and Rodger because they brought real life to baseball! Don't focus on his problems but rather his God gifted talents and what he gave to all and the game of baseball! R.I.P.

[@K3vinF]

Roger

[@glenngarofano4793]

#7 FOREVER!

[@rickyb8636]

I got to see Mickey play at my first ever ballgame at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on Sep 11, 1962. The Yanks won 8-7 on a 10th inning home run by Yogi Berra, hit 440 ft. to straight away centre field. It was the memory of a lifetime for a then 11 year old boy.

[@robfreeman5783]

The fact this hasn't been made into a movie is insane.

[@barbaramorgan633]

Great guy he have been from a poor small town but he was the kind of kid that parents had to be proud of I love Mickey not because of baseball but because of his kindness

[@karenpike2420]

I grew up in the Bronx, born in 1952. Mickey was always my favorite. He was simply a magnificent athlete. I bought into the myth that Mickey could have been better if he hadn't torn up his knee in 1951. BTW, DiMaggio told a different story about what happened. What I didn't know was that he was a serial adulterer and an alcoholic. If he had played in recent years he might have been a drug addict, too. The lesson learned is that he played at a time when the press looked the other way and let men get away with just about anything, short of murder. In hindsight, they didn't do him any favors. I'm glad that kind of behavior is no longer tolerated. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing.

[@ronniebishop2496]

I'm reminded of what General Patton said, that the conquering army was coming home and in front was all kinds of plunder and slaves from the war. The General of the army road in a chariot and a slave stood behind him holding a golden crown over his head and whispering a warning in his ear, THAT ALL GLORY IS FLEETING.

[@lexxon11]

Beautifully said!!!👍

[@bp4187]

I saw the Mick break a slump against the White Sox with a cannon shot triple off the monuments in the old stadium. Nellie Fox went 6 for 7 in that doubleheader but the Mick got the headlines. I also saw him hit a one hopper to the great Twins first baseman Killebrew that knocked him over. Mick was safe at first. Amazing speed.

[@tedtimothy9074]

I watched him play his last game in Detroit. The Tigers pitcher was Denny McClain. McClain motioned to Mantle that the pitch was going to be right down the middle. Mantle didn't believe him so he was not going to swing. The pitch was a perfect pitch to hit. McClain motioned to Mantle that he told him so. The next pitch from McClain was the same and Mantle hit it for a long home run. When Mantle reached home plate after his home run, he tipped his hat to Denny and Denny waved. The next batter up was Joe Pepitone. He motioned to McClain that he would like the same pitch that Mantle got. McClain threw a fast ball towards Pepitone's head. Interestingly, Mantle batted right handed even though McClain was a right handed pitcher. Mantle said he had much more power batting right handed.

[@AHMAD-2324]

In only 17 season's Mickey Mantle hit 536 Homeruns that is absolutely Amazing. R.I.P. to an Amazing talent and LEGEND 🕊🕊🕊

[@8avexp]

One can only imagine what sort of numbers Mantle would have put up had he played at Ebbets Field.

[@lawrencelike6125]

Still love Mickey! ❤️ Still my hero!!

[@petelindberg4640]

Mickey is why I loved baseball as a kid. To me it was always Mickey (1) Willy (2) Rodger and Sandy shared (3)

[@tidefanyankee2428]

Maris deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

[@2mostwanted]

koufax?

[@williamclark1329]

Mickey was my hero when I was a kid. He could swat a ball like nobody else! If he’d had stayed healthy he’d have every record in the books.

[@BigGuyDave524]

always my idol , to me he was the Greatest of all Time , love ya Mick

[@philipcallicoat3147]

"I was a fool!" Mickey talking about the drinking...🥺💔🛐

[@davidchappell6225]

The one and only

[@MarkTitus420]

This guy is another one of my all time heroes - it took me 50 years to realize that. I almost cried when he gave his final speech One comforting thought is that great people really never; neither does anybody else.

[@frankramirez8618]

Mantle was a player I enjoyed watching but I wouldn't call my hero or idol

[@Uncletoast52]

I was watching the Game of The Week with Dizzy Dean. and Peewee Reese . Mantel hit a line drive to center that put a dent in the steel seat. Dean had the camera mn zoom in on it . That's power.

[@billysheppard6091]

You watched mantle sitting with dizzy dean.. and pee wee Reese... Nice... take care brother. Semper Fi

[@douglasnewman2299]

I'll never forget in the summer of 2001, when one of his teammates, 2B Bobby Richardson, preached at my church here in Colorado. Mantle was the total hell-raiser while Richardson was the Bible-thumper. And, yet, Mickey saw Something in Bobby that he couldn't help but admire. They maintained a friendship through the years after baseball. And in the last few months of his life, because of Bobby's influence and patience, Mickey acknowledged Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior.

[@billjarvis807]

AMEN!!!

[@Army4Runner]

Amen brother.

[@petergreco6646]

What could have been - total of 5 combined years of prime seasons where he was hurt. The face of the Yankees and NY. Still one of the greatest players in baseball history. Beloved Yankee.

[@cristiancuevas7034]

An American Icon

[@kooperknebel4357]

I grew up in the 1960's in Chicago as a Cub fan. I went to many games as a kid, and Willie Mays was the best player I ever saw. I never saw Mickey Mantle play. But I'm willing to concede that he was Mays' equal. But not better.

[@username-zj9id]

If he was his equal with all the injuries he certainly would have been better if he were healthy

[@user-ly4bz9fw3k]

in 1961 my brother and i raced to get morning paper when you and maris were neck and neck....then you got injury and missed some games.....i saw alot of baseball in the 60 s

[@elmengh]

Ive been a yankee fan since i was kid in 70's and always known him as a one of the best that ever played but didnt really grasp this concept until now that Im old. My fav thing to do is run a survey whenever I run into a fellow yankee fan and I always start with "whos your all time fav yankee?" the answer has been always "Mantle" and I can see why. wish I was alive to see him play!!

[@johnsawyer7631]

greatest natural player in baseball history/ the commerce comet/the mick/my hero, and always will be, and i'm 72