Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 14, 1995 TAG: 9508150017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Long
Yankee Stadium was a place for tears and tributes Sunday, a place where ballplayers and fans remembered a hero, a place where they could see his past triumphs.
The third-largest crowd of the season in the Bronx fell silent to honor Mantle, one of the greatest Yankees and greatest baseball players of all time, who died early Sunday in Texas at the age of 63.
Then, they gave No.7 a standing ovation that lasted two minutes.
In the tradition-laden stadium, a montage of highlights from Mantle's career was shown on the video scoreboard before the game and flags flew at half-staff.
Black arm bands adorned the Yankees' pinstripes, and some of the players wore No.7 on their caps as they beat the Cleveland Indians 4-1.
``Before that game started, everybody in the dugout had a real serious look, a real determined look. What an opportunity and what a responsibility it was to go out there and pitch on the day Mickey Mantle passed away,'' said David Cone, who joined the Yankees in a trade with Toronto in July and won the game. ``For a younger pitcher, it might have been a distraction.''
``This is a very emotional day for our organization and fans,'' said manager Buck Showalter. ``I'll always remember driving into the ballpark this morning and hearing the news.''
Mantle played for 18 seasons, appeared in 12 World Series, hit 536 home runs and had a .298 batting average. The Oklahoma native, who broke into the major leagues at 19, wore his No.7 until the day he retired.
But more than the numbers, there were memories that endeared Mantle to teammates and fans alike. Memories of an earnest, friendly man, memories of a ballplayer who did what seemed impossible in the early 1950s - replacing Joe DiMaggio - memories of the man who saved Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series with a great catch in center field.
``Mickey was a country boy who came to the big city and became one of the greatest and most powerful switch-hitters who ever lived. He was the most exciting player since Ruth and DiMaggio, a big-leaguer in every way,'' said announcer Mel Allen, who nearly broke down in tears while remembering Mantle.
``I remember when I was 5 or 6 years old, standing in front of the TV set emulating his swing. As Little Leaguers, we all wanted to wear No.7. Once I got to the Yankees, No.7 didn't seem to be available in the minor leagues,'' Showalter said.
Bobby Murcer, a teammate of Mantle late in the Hall of Famer's career, a fellow Oklahoman and now a Yankees announcer, was crying as he stepped to a podium to talk about Mantle.
``Mantle was an idol of mine,'' Murcer said. ``He was the greatest player I ever saw play baseball. I don't think to this day that Mickey realized how much he touched the hearts of fans. We truly lost not only a major-league hero, but a person who portrayed the innocence and honesty that we'd all like to have.''
Murcer was signed by the same scout, Tom Greenwade, who signed Mantle to a Yankees contract for $1,500 while sitting in a car during a rainstorm after a semipro game.
Stories like the one about Mantle signing - the St.Louis Browns and Cardinals had opportunities but backed off - were heard over and over Sunday.
One of the favorites was about Mantle nearly hitting a ball out of Yankee Stadium - twice.
In 1956, he hit a homer off Pedro Ramos of the Washington Senators that struck the facade hanging from the right-field roof. In 1963, he hit one off the Kansas City Athletics' Bill Fischer that struck the facade in almost the same spot, except this one reportedly was rising.
There were other long homers, too. A 565-foot shot at Griffith Stadium in Washington in 1953, a shot to center in the 1960 World Series at Pittsburgh that was the first by a right-handed batter to clear the 457-foot sign at Forbes Field, one off the light tower at Chicago's Comiskey Park, several over the roof at Tiger Stadium, a one-hopper that reached the old bleachers in center at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium.
There were stories about the 1951 season, when Mantle played right field and DiMaggio played center in his last season. Mantle took over the position the next year and held it until 1966. After that, he played two more years at first base before retiring during spring training in 1969.
More heard than baseball stories, though, were remembrances of Mantle the man. A country boy who never lost his down-home touch, he was described time and again as a genuinely nice guy, eager to chat and eager to listen.
``He was not a phony role model, and I think people really identified with that. Mick was never a contrived person, he was a genuine person. He brought a lot of Oklahoma with him to New York, and never really changed. He showed a certain amount of humility and never let the stardom go to his head,'' said former teammate Tony Kubek.
``He treated me with a lot of respect. He was always great to me. He meant so much to this organization - an organization that's had so many great players come through,'' said Yankees captain Don Mattingly.
``He was respectful to me even before I got the manager's job,'' Showalter said. ``We want all our players to respect those who came before them, and I think Mickey was a big part of that. Part of the whole baseball world passed away this morning.''
by CNB