Jun
43 years ago today, the New York Yankees retired Mickey Mantle’s #7. His plaque at Yankee Stadium was inscribed with the words “a great teammate” (as per Mantle’s wishes) and “a magnificent Yankee who left a legacy of unequaled courage.”
May
25 years ago today, California Angel Reggie Jackson hit his 537th home run, passing Mickey Mantle for sixth place on the all-time list. Jackson hit a one-on, two-out homer off Boston’s Roger Clemens in the seventh inning of an 8-5 Red Sox victory.
Apr
On April 12th 1965, the Houston Astrodome hosted its first official Major League Baseball game as the Astros lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-0. (Although trivia experts point out that the New York Yankees played the Astros in an exhibition game to open the $35 million dome a few days earlier, and Mickey Mantle hit the new stadium’s first home run.)
Nov
On this day in 1960, the Yankees’ Roger Maris nudged out teammate Mickey Mantle for the American League MVP award, 225-222. Maris led the league in slugging percentage, RBI and extra-base hits and finished second in home runs (one behind Mantle). The Yankees won the AL pennant, but lost the World Series to Pittsburgh in seven games.
Sep
On this day in 1960, Mickey Mantle crushed a 643-foot home run over the right-field roof of Detroit’s Tiger Stadium. Batting left-handed, Mantle blasted a seventh-inning fastball from pitcher Paul Foytack into the lumberyard across from the park.
