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Mickey Mantle Photo Gallery
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Happy Birthday Mickey!
Can’t let the day go by without a special Old-Time Baseball Photos salute to one of our favorite ball players on the anniversary of his birthday. The great Mickey Mantle was born 85 years ago today, October 20, 1931.
Here’s a few words about Mickey’s great career, edited from one of my earlier posts. Also look above to see a photo tribute to the Commerce Comet, featuring some of our favorite Mickey Mantle photos.
If there ever was any question of how Mickey Mantle generated the power to hit 536 home runs, it’s answered in this photo. Check out those shoulders and legs…they’re mammoth!
Mickey Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995), was the most feared hitter on the most successful team in baseball history. He endured great physical pain over the course of his 18-year career (1951-1968). He is generally regarded as the greatest switch hitter of all time and is undoubtedly one the greatest all-around players in baseball history. He had a lifetime batting average of .298 with 2415 hits, 536 home runs (16th all-time), 1509 RBIs, 1733 walks, .421 on-base percentage, and a .557 slugging percentage.
Just a few of Mickey’s many career highlights include: 20-time All-Star, 7-time World Series champion, 3-time American League MVP, Triple Crown winner (1956), Gold Glove award winner (1962), American League batting leader (1956), 4-time American League home run leader, and American League RBI leader (1956).
Mantle was blessed with all-American boy good looks, amazing physical strength, and blazing speed. Over time he developed into a superb defensive center fielder. Had he not been plagued with injuries, and had he taken better care of his body, there is no telling what he might have done to the baseball record books. In spite of all he accomplished, his manager Casey Stengel always lamented that he could have done so much more.
Mickey Mantle’s #7 has been retired by the Yankees. He was selected for the Major League All-Century team, and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.
-Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All found on Google search
Statistics: Baseball Reference, Mickey Mantle page
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REST IN PEACE MICKEY 🙂 THANKS FOR SO MANY GREAT MEMORIES. THANKS FOR TAKING TIME IN YOUR LIFE FOR ME, TOO HAVE LASTING MEMORIES OF YOU. YOU MIGHT BE GONE AT THE MOMENT, BUT YOUR NEVER FORGOTTEN. I’LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.
Nicely said!
Hello Gary , I enjoyed your recall of my all time favorite Yankee, Mickey Mantle. In March of 1953 another Mickey Mantle was born, Mickey Mantle Jr., Mickey’s son. Three months later, on June 10, 1953, yet another Mickey Mantle would be born. This one the child of another great Yankee fan, Clarence Fortin and his wife of Waterbury, CT.
At this point in time none of those named above knew each other until eventually Mickey would meet Clarence through a mutual friend named Frank “Spec” Shea who played for the Yankees. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Clarence had already chartered this newborn’s course. He was going to be a ball player just like his idol, #7.
When you talk about placing an unrealistic goal on this child, this had to be it. Simply put, this seemed an insurmountable and unattainable goal for anybody. But it wasn’t, not this time.
Fate and destiny were to have their way, regardless of the lopsided odds. Clarence and the Mick enjoyed a cherished 23 year friendship that saw them pass away on the same date, August 13, and from the same disease liver cancer. Mickey Mantle Fortin went on to play centerfield, wore number 7, was the team’s batting champion, was selected to the All New England All Star team, and made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame before the Yankee’s Mickey Mantle. A 64-0 win streak, baseball’s longest at the time led to pictures and autographs being enshrined on this hallowed ground.
Mickey Mantle Fortin is part of the cast in HBO’s documentary, MANTLE, now playing on you tube. Talk about FATE!