Saturday, February 18, 2023

The Mick

 

"All I had was natural ability."

Mickey Charles Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, on October 20, 1931.  In 1951, he began playing for the New York Yankees in a career that would span nearly two decades, earning him the nicknames "The Mick" and "The Commerce Comet." 

A sample of his career highlights includes:

  * 7 times World Series Champion
  * 20 times All-Star
  * 3 times American League MVP
  * American League Batting Champion
  * Batting average of .298
  * 536 home runs

A few years after his retirement, Mantle was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

As much as Mantle loved baseball, he loved alcohol even more.  He took his first drink when he was in the minors, and in his words, he "chugged as if it were a soda pop."  It would be a constant problem for the rest of his life, leading to at least one stint in the Betty Ford Clinic.  He ultimately died of liver cancer on August 13, 1995. He was 63 years old. 

Mickey Mantle was entombed at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas. He is located in the St. Matthew Wing of the mausoleum and is relatively easy to find.

 







Rest in peace, Mick.

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