As the 2nd place Detroit Tigers came to Yankee Stadium on September 1st, the Yankees held a slim 1 1/2 game lead over them. The Yankees won the first two games of the three game series. In the second game, on a check swing, Mickey badly pulled a muscle in his left forearm. He then grounded out and later had to bunt in his last at bat, because the pain was too great for him to swing and he refused to come out of the important game.
The next day, manager Ralph Houk did not originally have Mickey in the starting line up. Mickey objected and assured Houk that he could play despite the pain. Houk then had Mickey swing a bat right there in the locker room and then decided to let Mickey participate in batting practice. Again, Mickey masked the pain and convinced Houk that he could play so he was put into the line up.
Jim Bunning was on the mound for the Tigers who quickly took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Mickey came to the plate in the bottom of the first inning with Roger Maris on first base. On a 2-0 pitch, Mickey fouled the next pitch but the pain in his forearm was unbearable as he grimaced in pain and went down on one knee to gain his composure. Three pitches later, with a full count, Mickey blasted a home run (his 49th of the season) into the right field stands.
In between innings, Mickey iced his forearm to numb the pain and to keep the swelling down. He struck out in the fourth and sixth innings.
The Tigers had a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning when Mickey stepped to the plate as the lead off hitter. A Tiger victory would wipe out one of the two Yankee victories and reduce their lead to just 2 1/2 games. On an 1-0 pitch from relief pitcher Gerry Staley, Mickey launched his second home run of the game (his 50th of the season) to tie the game 5-5. The Yankees went on to win that game 8-5 and increased their lead over the Tigers to 4 1/2 games.
After the game, Ralph Houk stated about Mickey, “He’s an amazing player and a superb competitor. I know very well he was in more pain than he cares to admit. For a guy who was hurting like that, he had one helluva day.”
Three pitches later, with a full count, Mickey connects for his 49th home run of the season, a two run shot, and puts the Yankees ahead with a 2-1 lead.
Game programme
was at the three game series.tiger fan. we went in a game and a half behind and left four and a half behind.hard for a right handed hitter to hit home runs.466 to center 402 to left center.when the MICK was hitting right handed it did not matter to him.he still got it done.it was a thrill to have seen him play in person..
I watched Mickey when the yanks would come to Bat. Mickey was for sure my hero. Never before or after was there a slugger like the mick. he will never be forgotten as long as I’m alive!
Mickey mantle is truly the most exciting player ever, there will never be any one like him ever.
I grew up in the Bronx and followed the Yankees on my small battery operated radio.
The Mick was my hero. Read his biography and to this day the number 7 on any jersey represents Micky Mantle.
Went to Angels game in ‘63 in LA. I had seen on TV but to see it live was amazing. When Mick would swing and miss there would always be this loud ‘whoa’. It was thrill to watch him bat, what a swing.
Mickey would have set every record – never to be broken if he’d looked after himself. But then he would not have been The Mick. There is nobody who does not know the name Mickey Mantle – and the greatness It represents. A phenomenal baseball player. A man truly loved, warts and all. Because he was at the core a very decent human being. I still tear up when I see old videos of him. Rest in peace, Mick. You deserve it. And thank you for the memories.
My most vivid memory, somewhat unfortunately, was of Mickey coming in from center to the dugout. Dad had box seats three rows up. At about the mound he would start to limp, he just couldn’t hide it anymore. I saw all that numerous times, different games possibly even differ seasons.
Also his swing was so different from each side. Righty was my favorite, he’d just crush the ball. Lefty a fluid slight underhand not that dissimilar from Maris.