In June of 1965, Yankees management feared that Mickey was at the end of his playing days so they announced that September 18 would be “Mickey Mantle Day” at Yankee Stadium. At that time, only four other Yankees had received such an honor. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra.
Mickey, Merlyn (wife) and Mickey Jr. (son) on the field during the ceremony.
Red Barber at the microphone , Toots Shoor teasing Mickey Jr. Mickey, Merlyn and Robert Kennedy are on the right.
Upon learning of the special day, New York Times writer, Dick Young wrote, “Mickey gave more to his teammates because he had something more to give than strength in his arms and his shoulders. He had strength in his will, and today, at the last stage of the Mantle comet, he has it greater than ever, because it takes a special kind of strength to keep a man going when there is less and less to go on.”
On September 18, Yankee Stadium was full of signs and banners honoring Mickey. Messages like, “Don’t leave us, Mickey we need you”, “Mickey MVP forever”, “We’ve been cheering since ’51, not ’65”, and “Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle” adorned the massive stadium.
Mickey gave a short speech and a deafening ovation followed. The next day in the Washington Post, an article described it as, “Mantle didn’t quite know what to do. The muscles around his jaw tightened and he brushed at the tears in his blue eyes a little awkwardly. He pawed at the grass with his spikes and then put his arm around his attractive platinum-haired wife, Merlyn, and his red-haired, oldest son, Mickey Jr.”
The game that day was between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. Right hander, Joe Sparma was on the mound for the Tigers. When Mickey stepped to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, with two outs, he received an ear-splitting ovation. Sparma, then did something unprecedented in major league baseball – he stepped off the mound, walked to home plate, and shook Mickey’s hand in open admiration. He walked back to the mound and the game continued.
I was there. My dad took me. I will never forget that day. Ever.
I watched the game on TV with my Dad. It’s still my most cherished memory in sports. Beyond Miracle on ice, Palmer’s last Masters, Jeter’s flip play and so many others. I’ve described that moment to my sons and daughter (and almost every sports fan that crosses my path!) so that the younger generations have an appreciation of The Mick’s greatness. My oldest son is named Mick in his honor.
I was there live in the bleachers.I was 13 years old one of the greatest days of my life in sports…Good old days ☺
I was there live in the bleachers.I was 13 years old one of the greatest days of my life in sports…Good old days ☺
My Dad also took me to that game. I was 8 years old. I was also nicknamed Mick. My Mom, Grandfather and Aunt were also with us at the game. It was surely a highlight in my life and a day I’ll never forget. As much as I loved baseball then little did I know that 11 years later I would be invited up 3 consecutive years in Yankee Stadium for tryouts with the Yankees!
Hi, My name is Brian Meehan. I am 62 years old and been a long time fan of the New York Yankees especially Mickey Mantle having grown up with him. i’m trying to find an event where Mickey Mantle is coming down the outfield a long third-base line in a golf cart. In that video you’ll see 11-year-old kid holding the backsop standing up. When mantle passes I’d say second base I run out to the field and slap his hand but for the life of me I can Not find the footage to that. Behind me is my best friend Michael Dunne I thought it was the Joe D Mickey Mantle day but apparently not. It’s just something that I have on the bucket list. Any help that could be offered would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Brian Meehan
I was 13 years old and went to this game with an older friend . He was probably 14. We took a bus from Elizabeth into the Port Authority in NYC. Then two subways to the Stadium. We an obstructed view seat down the right field line. I’m 1965 the Yankees did not have a good team but we got to see our hero. I could not see allowing two kids to do that today but we were going no matter what. MicKEYMANtle was the most exciting player I ever saw.
My dad and uncle took me,my best friend Dennis and my cousin Mickey who was 6 yrs old and fell asleep in the 5th inning. His 2 yr old brother Roger did not attend.We we’re 12 and idolized The Mick as did dad and uncle.Great memories