Mantle, Mickey (Mickey Charles Mantle), 1931–95, American baseball player, b. Spavinaw, Okla. In 1951, he joined the New York Yankees of the American League; eventually he replaced Joe DiMaggio DiMaggio, Joe (Joseph Paul DiMaggio) (dĭmăj`ēō', –mäj`ēō')
..... Click the link for more information. in center field. A powerful and speedy switch-hitter, Mantle had a total of 536 regular-season home runs, and a lifetime batting average of .298. His 18 home runs in World Series play remains a record. He was voted the league's Most Valuable Player in 1956 (when he won the triple crown, leading the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in), in 1957 (when he hit a career-high .365), and in 1962. In 1961 he and teammate Roger Maris Maris, Roger Eugene (măr`ĭs), 1934–85, American baseball player, b. Hibbing, Minn.
..... Click the link for more information. both threatened Babe Ruth Ruth, Babe (George Herman Ruth), 1895–1948, American baseball player, considered by many the greatest of all baseball players, b. Baltimore.

Early Life

When he was seven years old his parents placed him in St.
..... Click the link for more information. 's single-season record of 60 home runs; Mantle, slowed by an injury, finished with 54, while Maris hit 61. Retiring in 1968, Mantle entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. His career was hampered by osteomyelitis of his left leg and by various injuries. Another problem, his alcoholism, contributed to his death from liver cancer. In the last months of his life he received a liver transplant, and spurred efforts to increase public awareness of transplant therapy.

Bibliography

See biography by T. Castro (2002).

Mantle, Mickey

in full Mickey Charles Mantle

(born Oct. 20, 1931, Spavinaw, Okla., U.S.—died Aug. 13, 1995, Dallas, Texas) U.S. baseball player. Mantle joined the New York Yankees in 1951 and became a powerful switch-hitting outfielder and first baseman. Between 1954 and 1961 “the Mick” led the American League four times in home runs, six times in runs, and once in RBIs, the latter occurring in the year (1956) that he won the triple crown for home runs, RBI, and batting average (.353). In 1961 he hit 54 home runs, finishing second in the home-run race behind his teammate Roger Maris, who broke Babe Ruth's season record that same year. Mantle had to play with his legs heavily taped for much of his career because of injuries to his ankles and knees. He retired in 1968 with a lifetime total of 536 home runs.

Mantle, Mickey (Charles) (1931– ) baseball player; born in Spavinaw, Okla. During his 18-year career as an outfielder for the New York Yankees (1951–68), the switch-hitting slugger hit 536 homeruns and was voted the American League Most Valuable Player three times (1956–57, 1962). In 1956 he won the American League triple crown with 52 homeruns, 130 runs batted in, and a .353 batting average. He became a restaurateur and television commentator after retiring from baseball. A fan favorite, he was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1974.