Mantle, Mickey Charles (1931–1995)

US baseball player. Signed by the New York Yankees, he broke into the major leagues in 1951. A powerful switch-hitter (able to bat with either hand), he also excelled as a centre-fielder. In 1956 he won baseball's Triple Crown, leading the American League in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in. He retired in 1969 after 18 years with the Yankees and seven World Series championships.

Mantle, born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, was an exceptional high-school athlete in football and basketball as well as baseball. He enjoyed 12 pennant-winning seasons with the Yankees and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame 1974.

In November 1997 an auction of Mantle memorabilia brought in $541,880, with the profits going to Mantle's favourite charities.