Auction Item Details
Lot 407
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Lot Number: 407
Description: On March 1, 1969, New York Yankees center fielder Mickey Mantle announced his retirement from baseball. Mantle, a self-proclaimed “country boy” from rural Oklahoma, had become an idol to millions, known for his remarkable power and speed and his everyman personality. While "The Mick" patrolled center field and batted clean-up between 1951 and 1968, the Yankees won 12 American League pennants and seven World Series titles. June 8, 1969 was declared Mickey Mantle Day by New York's Mayor Lindsey, and Yankee Stadium played host to one of the most memorable tributes a team and its fans ever bestowed on a player. The ceremonies on that day included introductions of teammates, a celebration of Mantle’s career milestones, and most importantly, the New York Yankees retirement of the number 7 worn by Mickey Mantle. At that time the only other Yankee retired numbers were 3, 4 and 5 - for Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. Of the numerous words of praise sung by Mantle’s peers throughout the ceremony, the most memorable line came from Frank Messer, Yankees broadcaster and master of ceremonies, who introduced the honoree with, “Ladies and gentlemen, A magnificent Yankee, the great number seven, Mickey Mantle.” The crowd of 61,157 showered their hero with a thunderous nine minute ovation and had to be quieted to allow Mantle to speak. “When I walked into this stadium 18 years ago,” Mantle said in his speech, “I felt much the same way I do right now. I don’t have words to describe how I felt then or how I feel now, but I’ll tell you one thing, baseball was real good to me and playing 18 years in Yankee Stadium is the best thing that could ever happen to a ballplayer.” The Mick’s heartfelt words received another rousing 10-minute standing ovation as kids paraded around the field with posters in tribute to their idol. Joe DiMaggio himself was on hand that day, receiving his own moment of tribute, being inducted into the New York Yankees Hall of Fame. The two living legends exchanged plaques and delivered words of mutual admiration as the highlight of the proceedings. Mantle was driven around the Stadium on a golf cart to the rising roar and cheers of the packed house. “And the guy that was driving me,” Mantle recalled, “was Danny, one of the grounds crew guys who came up at about the same time I did in ’51." Mickey Mantle's June 8, 1969 Mickey Mantle Day plaque presented to him by Joe DiMaggio on behalf of "The Grateful New York Yankee Fans". 13"x17" wood plaque features applied chrome plate bearing an image of Mantle and a summary of his career statistics. Bottom reads, "Mickey Charles Mantle from the grateful New York Yankee Fans" with the Yankees top hat logo. Plaque shows minor wear including a few light scratches. Includes numerous photos of Mantle receiving and holding the plaque, as well as a letter of provenance from the Mantle family: EXEstimated Price Range: ($15,000-$25,000)
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