Mickey Mantle would have turned 95 on 20 October, and 2026 marks 75 years since his Yankees debut. His legacy keeps making headlines too: in September 2025 Cal Raleigh finally broke his 64-year-old single-season home run record for a switch-hitter.
Here is the story of the Commerce Comet, the switch-hitting centre fielder who became the face of the Yankees. Find more diamond legends in our baseball collection.
Mickey Mantle Fact File
| Full name | Mickey Charles Mantle |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 20 October 1931 |
| Place of birth | Spavinaw, Oklahoma, USA |
| Died | 13 August 1995, Dallas, Texas (aged 63) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Position | Centre fielder (switch-hitter) |
| Nationality | American |
| Shirt number | 7 (retired by the Yankees) |
| Nickname | The Mick, the Commerce Comet |
Career History
| Years | Team | Games | Home runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951–1956 | New York Yankees | 808 | 179 |
| 1957–1962 | New York Yankees | 867 | 231 |
| 1963–1968 | New York Yankees | 726 | 132 |
| Career | New York Yankees | 2,401 | 536 |
Era subtotals are summed from Baseball-Reference's season table; career totals also include 2,415 hits, 1,509 RBIs and a .298 batting average (Baseball-Reference). Mantle played his entire MLB career for the Yankees.
A Switch-Hitter from Commerce
Born in Spavinaw and raised in Commerce, Oklahoma, Mantle was named after catcher Mickey Cochrane. His father Mutt trained him to switch-hit from early childhood, and he turned down a football scholarship to sign with the Yankees in 1949.
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DiMaggio's Successor
Mantle debuted on 17 April 1951 and survived a mid-season demotion to Kansas City. In Game 2 of that year's World Series he badly injured his right knee, and he played the rest of his career on it.
In 1952 he took over from Joe DiMaggio in centre field and switched to number 7. His tape-measure home runs, including an estimated 565-footer in Washington in 1953, became the stuff of legend.
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Triple Crown and the Race for 61
In 1956 Mantle hit .353 with 52 home runs and 130 RBIs to win the Triple Crown and his first MVP award, and he remains the only switch-hitter to achieve the feat. A second MVP followed in 1957.
In 1961 he and teammate Roger Maris chased Babe Ruth's record of 60. Mantle finished on 54, and Maris hit 61 on the final day. In 1962 Mantle won a third MVP and a Gold Glove.
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Later Years
Injuries took their toll from 1963, but he kept going until 1968, retiring in March 1969 with 536 home runs, then third on the all-time list. The Yankees retired his number 7 that June and he entered the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Honours
New York Yankees
- World Series champion: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962
Individual
- AL MVP: 1956, 1957, 1962
- Triple Crown: 1956
- Gold Glove: 1962
- 20 All-Star selections
Recognition
- Baseball Hall of Fame: 1974
- Number 7 retired: 1969
- MLB All-Century Team: 1998
Away From the Diamond
After retiring Mantle worked as a colour commentator for NBC, and in 1988 opened Mickey Mantle's Restaurant and Sports Bar in New York. The Mickey Mantle Foundation was set up in 1995 to promote organ donation.
FAQs
How old was Mickey Mantle when he died?
Mickey Mantle died on 13 August 1995, aged 63.
Where was Mickey Mantle born?
He was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, and grew up in Commerce, Oklahoma.
How tall was Mickey Mantle?
He stood 5 ft 11 in, about 1.80 m.
How many home runs did Mickey Mantle hit?
He hit 536 regular-season home runs, plus a record 18 in the World Series.
How many World Series did Mickey Mantle win?
Seven, all with the Yankees: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961 and 1962.
Did Mickey Mantle win the Triple Crown?
Yes, in 1956 he hit .353 with 52 home runs and 130 RBIs, making him the only switch-hitter to win the Triple Crown.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter.
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