| Mickey Mantle was born in October 20th 1931 in | | | | week with a $1500.00 sign on bonus. His first year |
| Spavinaw, Oklahoma. His father Mutt Mantle was | | | | he played right field but eventually replaced the |
| a semi-pro baseball player. His father loved | | | | legendary Joe DiMaggio's center field position, who |
| baseball and named his son Mickey after the | | | | retired after the 1951 season. Mickey's career had |
| Detroit Tigers catcher Mickey Cochran. From a | | | | a slow start but it was soon apparent that this |
| very early age Mickey played baseball with his | | | | young ballplayer had a special talent to bring to |
| father and was taught to be a switch hitter. His | | | | the game. |
| childhood was typical of most young boys playing | | | | Mantle excelled in his career in baseball. He was a |
| all types of sports. During his high school years in | | | | member of the New York Yankees from 1949 till |
| Commerce, Okla. he was an all around athlete and | | | | his retirement in March 1969 at the age of 38. His |
| was injured playing baseball. This injury would later | | | | 18 years as a major league player was successful |
| develop into osteomelitis that eventually affected | | | | with a number of awards and accolades. He led |
| his career in major league baseball. | | | | the American league 4 times in home runs, 6 |
| Mantle starting playing for the New York Yankees | | | | times in runs and once in RBIs. When "The Mick" |
| minor league in 1949 at 18 years old. It was 2 | | | | as he was affectionately known retired he had |
| years later in 1951 that he was called up to the | | | | accumulated a lifetime total of 536 home runs. |
| majors. Mickey's contract was for $145.00 per | | | | |