Mickey Mantle

Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995) was an American baseball player, regarded as one of the best of all time. He played his entire professional career for the New York Yankees.

Mantle's last days

Mantle received a liver transplant on June 8, 1994, after his liver had been damaged by years of chronic alcoholism, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C. He spent time at the Betty Ford Clinic to kick the bottle for good. Mantle spoke with great remorse of his drinking in a Sports Illustrated article, "My Life In A Bottle". He admitted he had often been cruel and hurtful to family, friends, and fans because of his alcoholism, and sought to make amends. He became a born-again Christian due to his former teammate Bobby Richardson sharing his faith with him.

Related Topics:
Liver transplant - June 8 - 1994 - Alcoholism - Cirrhosis - Hepatitis C - Betty Ford Clinic - Sports Illustrated - Born-again Christian - Bobby Richardson

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Mickey Mantle died on August 13, 1995, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, after his liver cancer spread throughout his body. He was interred in the Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas. Mantle had asked country singer Roy Clark, his good friend, to perform his favorite song "Yesterday, When I Was Young" at his funeral:

Related Topics:
August 13 - 1995 - Baylor University Medical Center - Dallas - Liver cancer - Spread - Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery - Roy Clark

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:I lived by night

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:I shunned the light of day

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:And only now I see how the years slipped away

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:I ran so fast time and youth ran out

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:So many songs in me won't be sung

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:I now must pay for yesterday when I was young.

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In eulogizing Mantle, Bob Costas described the legend as "a fragile hero to whom we had an emotional attachment so strong and lasting that it defied logic."

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He loved cherry pie and slept with his socks on inside out.

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